10 Tips for Getting Your School Grant Funded

I first became aware of grant writing as a teacher more than 25 years ago. My first school grant was for $300 for additional teaching supplies. It was a short grant appropriately titled “A Mini-Grant”, and was funded by my district. Some 25 years later, I have written Federal grants, State grants, and foundation grants, most of which were funded. READ MORE

Playground Safety Standards: The Key to Keeping Kids Safe on the Playground

As a retired principal, I understand the importance of recess time for students. It’s a chance for them to blow off steam, socialize, and engage in imaginative play. However, creating a safe and fun environment goes beyond simply having a playground structure. Playground safety standards have become increasingly crucial, and for good reason. The Public Playground Safety Handbook was last updated in 2008 by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). It is the bible for keeping kids safe on the playground with guidelines regarding playground structures and playground surfacing or the physical environment in which children play. READ MORE

Understanding School Supervision: Responsibilities When Students Leave Campus Without Permission

School supervision is a critical aspect of ensuring the safety and well-being of students during school hours. However, recent incidents where students have left school campuses without permission highlight the importance of addressing this issue effectively. Principals and school administrators play a crucial role in establishing policies and procedures to prevent such occurrences and respond appropriately when they do happen. READ MORE

Disciplining Children on the Playground

Most schools strictly enforce classroom rules and procedures in order to maintain a safe classroom environment for students. When students go to the playground for the recess the classroom rules are not adequate for some playground behaviors. For this reason, playground supervisors or paraprofessionals sometimes find themselves without a protocol for handling discipline issues unique to the playground. READ MORE

Ensuring Playground Safety

Principals have the responsibility of overseeing that they playground and school facility remains safe. Post construction reviews should be conducted, and the facility cleared for safe usage. Continuing maintenance and repairs are an ongoing administrative responsibility especially in the playground area where statistically most serious school injuries occur. READ MORE

How Principals Can Improve Playground Supervision

Principals play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of students during playground activities. Below are some important suggestions for principals on how to improve playground supervision, and student safety, at their school site. READ MORE

10 Tips for Improving Playground Supervision

Serious accidents that occur in schools typically happen on the playground. In fact, approximately 200,000 accidents each year send children to the emergency room for treatment of an injury that occurred on the school playground. The following tips will help you to ensure that children are safe on your playground. The National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS) recommends that the ratio of adult supervisors to children should mirror the classroom ratios. READ MORE

Training Playground Supervisors Can Reduce Playground Injuries

After 20 years of serving as an expert witness on playground injury cases, there is one thing that stands out. In every single case where a school was sued and lost, the playground supervisor was not trained. Ask yourself. Would training have kept the school out of court? Perhaps? Studies have shown that inadequate supervision is a major factor in playground injuries. READ MORE

When a child dies on campus with a rare heart disease is the school liable?

That depends on many factors.

A yet-to-be-determined legal case involves a 5 year old boy who school officials “thought was playing dead” during school recess. Instead, he died of a rare heart condition, court documents said. The five-year-old Connecticut youth was playing freeze tag at recess and apparently collapsed in April 2022. READ MORE

Playground Injuries: Where Children Get Injured on Playgrounds

Playground injury data is typically taken from children arriving at a hospital emergency room for treatment. This information provides an opportunity to review your playground and analyze problem areas where most injuries occur. READ MORE

Playground Liability: Accident or Injury

By Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer Dr. Bossenmeyer is an expert witness on playground injury and playground supervision cases. She is also a retired Elementary School Principal. On average, 17 children die each year playing on playgrounds. READ MORE

Guidelines for a Safe Recess During a Pandemic

GUIDELINES FOR A SAFE RECESS DURING A PANDEMIC by Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer Schools across the nation are returning to classrooms, lunchrooms, and playgrounds to find that much has changed since the school closed in March. Each setting will require a set of procedures and protocols in order to keep students safe. One of the most READ MORE

Can Good Supervision Prevent all Injuries?

Injury data on playground injuries indicates that approximately 45% of injuries on the playground. Most of those can be attributed to either improper playground supervision on lack of adult supervision. READ MORE

Lessons Learned from the Spanish Flu

Pandemic lessons learned from the Spanish Flu You may be wondering how, without medicine or a vaccine, the 1918 Spanish flu was extinguished? By Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer My history lessons sometimes come from my family’s diaries and letters passed down through the generations. This rare body of firsthand accounts, which we call primary resources in  READ MORE

Playgrounds Can Be Safe

“As a playground supervisor at an elementary school for six years, grade school playgrounds are not for the meek!” says Janis Dingwall, Cedarhurst Elementary School, Seattle. READ MORE

School Wide Discipline What Works?

School Wide Discipline: What Works? School wide discipline plan finds a student at chalk board reviewing the behavior rules. In an election year, it is important to acknowledge that for approximately 20 years, the Annual Gallup Poll of the Public’s Attitudes toward the Public Schools has identified school wide discipline was one READ MORE

Legal Issues Impacting the Playground

In this article, I will share with you some words of wisdom I have learned serving as an expert. One key in all these cases has been whether Administration implemented and maintained active supervision. READ MORE

5 Tips for a Kid Friendly Playground

I watched a less popular girl, Allison, walk up to a group of four girls who were playing a game of four-square. As she approached and asked, “Can I play?” she was quickly rebuffed. “The game is closed,” Janey, the ring leader, announced.

Given the school is a Peaceful Playgrounds’ school, I was surprised at the response because of the “You can’t say, ‘You can’t play’” mantra. Allison, whose disappointment was obvious, turned to play another game. READ MORE

Playgrounds Designed for Learning

An ever-constant mantra in teaching is “what is the learning objective?” Is your playground a place designed for learning? When I was a principal, I remember an experience while observing a classroom of 3rd graders. READ MORE

5 Reasons Kids Need Playgrounds

A Historical Perspective of the Playground Movement: Reasons Kids Need Playgrounds The Benefits of playgrounds today and Yesterday. I read an article in the Iowa County Democrat Newspaper dated, May 13, 1909, about playgrounds. It’s a period in American history that advocated for reasons kids need playgrounds. Yet, advocacy for a safe READ MORE

Low-Cost High Activity Playgrounds

Simple playthings such as balls, jump ropes, hula hoops, and riding toys, do more for encouraging physical activity on school playgrounds than swings, jungle gyms, and other “stationary” or “fixed” playground equipment, according to a recent report in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. READ MORE

10 Suggestions for a Peaceful Playground

This is a list of 10 suggestions for making your playground a peaceful place for fun and games.

READ MORE

Some Schools Finding New Recess Mandates Challenging: Parent’s Aren’t Having It.

There are always two sides to everything. Parents, some of whom have advocated
legislatively for daily recess in schools, are frustrated with how the new mandated
recess is being implemented.  READ MORE

10 Reasons Why Recess is so Important

1) Recess is important because it serves as a necessary break from the rigors of concentrated, academic challenges in the classroom. It also offers cognitive, social, emotional, and physical benefits that may not be fully appreciated when a decision is made to diminish it. Pediatrics, Dec. 31, 2012. READ MORE

Magic Moments in Sports

This is my granddaughter Kaelyn. “She recently participated in some “magic moments in youth sports”. She actively engages in recreational basketball and competitive swimming for her City’s swim team. She experienced some of these magic moments recently which I’ll share with you later in the article. READ MORE

Beyond Busy Happy and Good

The students were “busy, happy, and good” during a dinosaur lesson.

I know that dinosaurs are intriguing. However, my role as a principal was to see that students were “learning.” The lesson might have fit into a larger study of habitats but this was neither the aim nor the objective of the lesson. READ MORE

How to Improve Recess

A big part of restoring recess lies in the need to improve recess and how it functions. While it is true, there is not much we can do about standing on a cold playground, there is much we can do about the conflicts or boredom which can lead to fights and arguments that spill over into a classroom and impact instructional time. READ MORE

School Recess: Why some people love it and others hate it.

The national survey shows that 99% of adults participating in the survey favor elementary school recess. End of the subject? Not quite. Parents in nearby Lake County have taken to the streets to join in the protest over the lack of recess at their schools. READ MORE

Favorite Subject at School? Recess of Course!

An article in the Winter Issue of Playground Magazine entitled, Favorite Subject at School? Recess, of Course! According to second grader, Allison Rincand, her favorite activity at school is, “Recess because I get to play with my friends.”Her response mirrors the majority of children in elementary school where over 80% of students rate recess […]READ MORE

Recess Revival

In recent years, an effort to pass laws mandating school recess for elementary school-age students has picked up steam largely as a result of parent advocates who believe school recess plays an important role in their child’s well-being. The first parent uprising formed to put school recess into Florida schools was proposed in 2016 READ MORE

Recess Solutions: How to offer a safe recess during a pandemic

Schools across the nation are returning to classrooms, lunchrooms, and playgrounds to find that much has changed since the school closed in March. Each setting will require a set of procedures and protocols in order to keep students safe. READ MORE

Fewer Children are Playing Youth Sports

Fewer children are participating in youth sports activities. This is a downward trend that has been observed over the last ten years. READ MORE

Recess Makes Kids Smarter

We know that kids love recess. But until recently, we didn’t know why it made kids smarter.

According to a second-grader, Allison Rincand, her favorite activity at school, “Recess because I get to play with my friends.” Her response mirrors the majority of children in elementary school where over 80% of students rate recess as their favorite subject. READ MORE

Tools for Promoting Recess In Schools

The first step in developing a recess program is securing buy-in from the staff. It is crucial that your staff understands the importance of recess, and how it not only makes for a more well- rounded and healthy student, but how it actually enhances learning and academic performance. READ MORE

Recess Time Well Spent

School recess holds a special place in the heart of the American public school student, according to the editorial in today’s Concord Monitor. To a child “recess is time well spent”. READ MORE

Rising Heat & Athletics

A local headline stated, “At least three California students taken to
hospital for heat-related injuries.” These injuries highlight the effects of extreme heat on health as the country and schools grapple with increasingly severe weather.   READ MORE

What You Can Do About Dangerously Hot Playgrounds

Playground temperatures can soar well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, posing significant health risks to students. Studies have shown that excessive heat can lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and even death READ MORE

A Principal’s Call to Action on Playground Heat Safety Following a Tragic Death

As a principal, the well-being of students extends far beyond test scores and classroom curriculum. It encompasses their safety throughout the entire school day, from the quiet focus of morning lessons to the exuberant energy of recess. This seemingly carefree time for play and social interaction can quickly turn dangerous when scorching temperatures transform the playground into a potential health hazard. READ MORE

“Misters”: A Cool Answer for Hot Playgrounds

As temperatures continue to climb this summer and smoke from fires spread across various parts of the U.S., schools across the U.S. are beginning to explore long-term options for reducing heat exposure. One solution that is gaining popularity is the use of misting systems. READ MORE

Keeping Kids Cool in School

As most of the nation heads back to school facing triple-digit heat, schools face the challenges associated with outdoor recess and overheated classrooms. Principals and physical educators will face daily decisions regarding children’s heat-health on the playground. In this article, we will review some information regarding different playground challenges and solutions to those problems. Of particular concern to schools is that “kids absorb more heat than adults while sweating less. The result is kids have a greater propensity for heat cramps, exhaustion or heat stroke”, according to Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer, also known as the Recess Doctor. READ MORE

When is it Too Hot for Recess?

Scientists don’t yet know why some people become seriously ill while exercising in hot weather, and others don’t. “There’s still a lot we don’t understand” about heat illness, says Douglas Casa, an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut, who’s extensively studied athletic performance in the heat. READ MORE

How Schools Can Protect Students From Wild Fire Smoke At Recess

Here are some things schools can do to protect students and learn to live with wildfire smoke. READ MORE

Snow Day Activities

A little snow doesn’t mean students can’t go outside.  They should be properly dressed for the snow with coats and mittens for safety.  The following activities lists include games for in the classroom and outside with a snow or winter theme.

Outside and indoor activities. READ MORE

10 Rainy Day Activities for Indoor Recess & PE

days that keep kids active and burn off excess energy allowing students to focus and sit during afternoon lessons.

I’ve scanned the list for activities that could be conducted for indoor recess or physical education activities on inclement days. READ MORE

Too Cold For Recess

When the weather outside is frightful school recess on the playground may not be delightful. Just ask any playground supervisor. READ MORE

Why play? The Importance of Play

For the generation of Americans that lived by the daily adage, “you must come inside when the street lights come on,” the importance of play was intuitive and occurred naturally in the course of everyday American life. READ MORE

12 Children’s Books on Play

Children’s Books on Play. Sometimes, all the motivation a child needs, to get outside and play, is a good Children’s’ book on play. The list below can accomplish just that purpose and more as well. We explore play from various perspectives in the books selected. Just One More Game by Martha Hamlett This story hits  READ MORE

Are they real? Nature-Deficit

It was becoming apparent to me that she just might be one of the “nature deficit disorder” kids that I’ve been reading about. The nature-deficit disorder was described by Richard Louv in his book, Last Child in the Woods. READ MORE

Alternatives to Withholding Recess Due to Discipline Reasons

Given the value of recess in a student’s physical and social development, coupled with the need for periodic breaks from classroom instruction, using recess as a punishment is inappropriate. Yet, in a national survey of principals, commissioned by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, more than 75% of principals state that their schools use recess as a discipline technique. READ MORE

Ten Alternatives to Tag

Principals and schools continue to give unsatisfactory reviews to tag at recess. Below are 10 game alternatives for elementary school recess. READ MORE

64 Alternatives To Withholding Recess

Given the value of recess in a student’s physical and social development and the need for periodic breaks from classroom instruction, using recess as punishment is inappropriate. Listed below are some alternatives to withholding recess. READ MORE

Positive Alternatives to Withholding Recess

In 2011 the Centers for Disease Control published a paper entitled, The Association Between School-Based Physical Activity including Physical Education and Academic Performance. The findings speak to the importance of recess in respect to academic performance. “Eight studies looked at the impact of physical activity during recess on academic performance. 59% of the outcomes for recess were positive. “In addition, all eight studies found one or more positive findings suggesting that recess was associated with improvements in attention, concentration, and/or on9 task behavior. “ READ MORE

National Physical Education Standards 2024

Since 2021 Shape America in conjunction with Physical Education and Health leaders across the nation have collaborated to develop new National Physical Education and Health Standards.

According to SHAPE America, “These standards provide a comprehensive framework for educators to deliver high-quality instruction and make a positive difference in the health and well-being of every student.“ READ MORE

To Enhance Learning Emphasize Physical Activity

Research consistently demonstrates the benefits of physical activity on cognitive function and academic achievement. Alarmingly, a large percentage of American children fail to meet daily physical activity recommendations, leading to a host of health issues including obesity, depression, and sleep disturbances. READ MORE

Head on Collision: CTE, Youth Football and the Urgency for Reform

“Amidst this backdrop, a potential paradigm shift is underway, fueled by new legislation in California. If passed, children under 12 years old would not be allowed to play tackle football in youth leagues. READ MORE

Physical Activity and the Brain

“Physical activity has dramatic effects on individuals’ physical, & mental health,” according to Charles Basch in his report, Healthier Students Make Better Learners. Put simply, educational outcomes are directly influenced by health. It is no surprise that students’ fitness levels continue to be low and obesity and overweight categories in youth continue to climb, presenting cascading and troubling trends toward overall student health and fitness. READ MORE

The Physical Activity Divide

Over the last two decades the “physical activity divide” has gained traction in the public consciousness. It is a gap between the levels of physical activity of people from different socioeconomic backgrounds. READ MORE

Benefits of Physical Activity in School

Most classrooms have at least one impulsive child and in my experience, some classes have more than one. These impulsive children are frequently in trouble and display sincere regret for their actions… repeatedly. When teaching, I wondered, “Will they ever learn?” READ MORE

Making the Case for Kids Moving More

Kids enjoying physical activity.

Physical activity is any bodily exercise that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health or wellness. We think of physical activity as burning energy or calories. For health benefits, physical activity should be of moderate or vigorous intensity, according to the USDA. READ MORE

Physical Activity in Schools

America today faces a childhood obesity crisis. The public is looking to schools to address this crisis through offering more physical activity opportunities. READ MORE

The Benefits of Team Sports and Why Participating is Declining.

Did you know that participation in team sports has declined in recent years? According to the Aspen Institute, in 2018, only 38% of children participated in a team sport, down from 45% in 2008. READ MORE

The Importance of School Exercise

Why Exercise is Important for Students By Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer Why Exercise is Important for Students The challenges to daily exercise. The challenges to daily exercise keep mounting for students. Winter months bringing colder temperatures and shortened days limit the amount of outdoor exercise. Video games and computer READ MORE

Schools Role in Childhood Obesity

During President Obama’s first term, First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled her strategy for tackling the nation’s childhood obesity crisis. READ MORE

Why Bullying Programs Succeed or Fail?

Natalie is not alone in her experience with school bullying. In fact, thirty-six states have passed anti-bullying legislation which is indicative of the growing concern over bullying in schools.

The tipping point has been the school shootings in which three-fourths of the shooters’ school histories are indicative of being a victim or experiencing ongoing harassment. READ MORE

10 Children’s Books on Bullying

Sometimes, a good book on bullying can go a long way. It can be inspiring, intriguing, and even teach about empathy. There’s a saying. “If you want to curb bullying teach empathy.” These 12 books are sure to accomplish those purposes and a lot more too. Help children to explore bullying solutions through books. READ MORE

How to Respond to Bullying

First, it is important to acknowledge that students rarely bully-victims in front of an adult. The chance of a teacher observing bullying is limited. Furthermore, research indicates that only 56% of students report that they have personally observed bullying at school. READ MORE

Bullying Prevention: Is Empathy the Key?

Is Empathy the key to conquering bullying? As I observed my class the first week of school, one child stood out. The incident happened on the third day of school. Allie was a kindergarten student who learned that another child’s much-loved dog died. Most students sat silently, observing the pain in another student’s face  READ MORE

Bullying Prevention: Life’s Lessons on Good and Evil

Bullying Prevention Good vs Evil As you may know, last month I attended a gathering of like minded individuals called Hero Camp. During the Hero Camp discussions, I kept reflecting on how school mirrors society and schools are a laboratory for life’s lessons. In particular, school campus provides us the microcosm of “evil”, READ MORE