South Lake Tahoe community celebrates continued partnership between LTUSD and City for 3rd Grade Swim Program
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) announced the successful continuation of the “Learn to Swim” program, a vital community partnership with the City of South Lake Tahoe Parks and Recreation Department. The return of this collaboration provides essential water safety and swim instruction to every third-grade student in the district.
The program, which resumed in early 2025 following a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, offers four days of professional instruction at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center. Under the current 2026 schedule, students from schools including Tahoe Valley, Meyers, Sierra House, and Bijou Community School participate in specialized 45-minute sessions designed to promote lifelong water safety.
“This program is a wonderful and fun experience for our kids, and it truly could save their lives one day,” said Alissa Zertuche, CTE Specialist and Program Coordinator at LTUSD. “We are incredibly grateful for the City’s dedication to making this happen for our students again”.
This water safety foundation is vital for student participation in outdoor field trips from 3rd grade to 12th grade, including excursions on the M.S. Dixie, to river locations, and to various lakefront spots.
The partnership relies on seamless logistical coordination between the two entities. LTUSD provides transportation for all classes with funding from the California Tahoe Conservancy, while the City of South Lake Tahoe provides the facility, certified lifeguards, and swim coaches. The program has even expanded to include a weekly educational trip to the local library on Wednesdays, and LTUSD extends a special thank you to the South Lake Tahoe Public Library staff for welcoming the students and enriching their experience.
“LTUSD would like to specifically thank the South Lake Tahoe City Council, City Manager Joseph Irvin, City Attorney Heather Stroud, and Recreation Manager Kelley Edwards for their tireless work in formalizing the program agreements and ensuring a safe, educational environment for our youth,” a LTUSD press release stated.
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