Skating Lessons F.A.Q.
What are your lessons like?
Classes are 30 minutes and all students are allowed to use the other 60 minutes of the session to practice what their skills. During the 60 minutes of practice time, coaches will be teaching other classes so if skaters need assistance we ask that they seek help instead from the floater coaches.
What are floater coaches?
Floater coaches act partially as skate guards and partially as teachers. These individuals will be accessible to skaters during their 60 minutes of practice time. They are fully qualified instructors.
How much experience do your coaches have?
Each coach has a different background in skating skills and teaching experience. However, coaches are carefully screened by program coordinators and coaches new to the rink are generally used in an assistant position before they are allowed to coach their own class.
Who should I go to if I have a question about progress of a skater in his/her class?
You should first approach the skater's head coach. Please remember though that while on the ice, the coach is needed to teach a class and all inquiries should be made either before or after the lesson time. Coaches will be accessible for questions. Questions can also be addressed to program coordinators. However, coaches will most likely be able to better address any issues arising about an individual skater's performance and program coordinators may not be able to answer questions about specifics.
What is the role of the program coordinators?
Program coordinators oversee the coaches, schedule lesson times and groups, and handle the lesson finances. They are coaches themselves and have been involved with lessons at the Penn Ice Rink for many years.
Can I request a specific time or coach?
Generally, program coordinators try to grant all reasonable requests, however, due to the large number of individuals involved in the lesson program, it is not always possible to do so. The coach and lesson time a skater has had in past sessions within a given lesson year usually will remain constant. Program coordinators also attempt to match skaters with teachers from previous years, especially if they have been requested.
When will I know my skater's lesson time and coach?
The week that lessons are set to begin you will receive a call from the lesson coordinator about skater's lesson time and coach. We do try to inform our skaters as soon as possible, but last minute enrollments and coaching problems can arise and alterations to the schedule may be needed. All skaters from previous sessions will remain in the same class, at the same time, with the same teacher unless informed by program coordinators.
How are skaters placed in classes?
Skaters are placed in a level based in the skills they can perform. Levels have been designated by the skating coordinator based upon industry standards. When the coach has assessed that the student can competently perform all skills for a given lesson, he/she will pass the child. Depending on the coach, the testing for each level may be given during the last class or it may be given throughout the session.
*** Note: Passing lower levels usually occurs at a faster rate than at higher levels. Once basic techniques are taught, the skills need to be much more refined in order to pass a level. Skaters may be able to pass one of the lower Basic Skills levels in a six week session but the higher levels may take several months in order to master. ***
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