Otter Families,

Welcome to another edition of The Otter Weekly!

Before we jump into this week’s updates, we have one very important note:

** IMPORTANT NOTE **

This week is going to be a VERY busy week for emails and information.

THANK YOU in advance for your patience as we communicate everything you need to know! The first week of the season is always a little crazy with lots of details flying your way, but rest assured, it’s all important information to help make sure our season gets off to a smooth start.

Be sure to keep an eye on your inbox throughout the week so you don’t miss any important announcements.

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THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

Monday, June 8

• Evening Swim & Dive Practices

Tuesday, June 9
NO PRACTICE!

- School’s out for summer! Enjoy an extra evening with family, celebrate the start of summer vacation, get some rest, and get ready for a busy and exciting week ahead.

Wednesday, June 10 – Friday, June 12
Morning Swim & Dive Practices Begin (Remember, no dive practice on Friday's)

Please refer to the Morning Practice Group Assignment email for your athlete’s assigned group and practice times.

Saturday, June 13
2026 Time Trials Meet
Start Time: 8:30 AM

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TIME TRIALS 2026

Time Trials are right around the corner!

A separate email will be sent later this week with complete meet details, but here’s what you need to know now:

Time Trials are a practice swim only meet that allows both swimmers and parents to experience a full swim meet environment before we dive into the regular season. We’ll be running this meet as close to a dual meet as possible, making it an awesome opportunity for everyone to shake off the rust, learn the flow of a meet, and get back into that Otter groove!

Arrival Information

13 & Over
• Arrival: 7:15 AM
• Warm-Ups: 7:30 AM

12 & Under
• Arrival: 7:45 AM
• Warm-Ups: 8:00 AM

Meet Start Time

• 8:30 AM

IMPORTANT: If you have not yet declared your athlete for Time Trials, please do so no later than Thursday. This helps our coaches and meet staff prepare timelines, heat sheets, and volunteer assignments.

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VOLUNTEER SIGN-UPS OPEN THIS WEEK

Beginning Wednesday evening, volunteer positions for the season will be available for families to select.

Every Orchard View family is required to complete at least three volunteer shifts during the season.

Our swim and dive program is 100% volunteer-powered. From timing lanes and running ribbons to helping in concessions and supporting diving, every role is essential to making meets happen. More importantly, volunteering is one of the things that makes Orchard View special. It brings families together, creates friendships, and helps maintain the family atmosphere that has been part of the Otter tradition for generations.

If you are unable to fulfill the volunteer requirement this season, please contact Kara Stahley as soon as possible.

Thank you in advance for helping make our season a success!

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FAMILY DRINK DONATIONS

Attached to this email is our Family Drink Donation List.

We ask that each family bring:

All donations are used throughout the season at our home swim meets and help keep athletes, volunteers, coaches, officials, and visiting teams refreshed.

We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our Otter families. These donations may seem like a small thing, but they make a huge difference and help us host successful meets all summer long.

All drink donations can be brought to practice or to Time Trials on Saturday, June 13. If anyone has any issues, please just let me know. 

Thank you for your support!

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IMPORTANT REMINDERS

✔ Complete your Sportsmanship Policy Acknowledgement

✔ All Cap Orders are due by 9:00 AM tomorrow

✔ Athlete T-Shirt Sizes are due by 9:00 AM tomorrow

The athlete shirt deadline is especially important. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our team sponsor, Team Armetta State Farm, every Orchard View athlete will receive a team t-shirt completely free of charge this season.

We won't have any extra t-shirts for anyone who doesn't respond, and we want every swimmer and diver to receive the correct size, so please make sure your submission is completed before the deadline. 

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As we kick off another summer together, we want to thank every family for choosing to be part of the Orchard View Otters. Whether this is your first season or your twentieth, we’re excited to build memories, celebrate accomplishments, support one another, and continue the traditions that make our team so special.

The first week of the season is always filled with excitement, anticipation, and a little bit of chaos… but that’s all part of the fun. (Admit it... you love it!)  We can’t wait to see our swimmers and divers grow, compete, and represent Orchard View with pride this summer.

Here’s to another amazing season.

Let's Go Otters!

PS - I'm sure I missed something somewhere....  so I apologize in advance!  I feel like I should have a permanent "I'm Sorry" slogan attached to the end of all of my emails.