August 2010

By Trine Gallegos
Contra Costa Times – Antioch, CA

recess program at school kids playing recess games

Peaceful Playgrounds expands the playing area with vibrant, strategically spaced markings creating a cheerful amusement-park look.

When Belshaw Elementary students hit the pavement at recess last week, they were treated to a slew of new fun and new recess games.

It’s all part of the nationwide Peaceful Playgrounds that transform a bland concrete area into a schoolyard with colorful games for all.

Many volunteers showed up the weekend before the new school year began in Antioch, and got to work to lay down stencils, organize the area and paint.

Peaceful Playgrounds’ concept expands the playing area with vibrant, strategically spaced markings — numbers, letter grids and geometric shapes to mark play areas — creating a cheerful amusement-park look.

Coordinated by teacher Christine Da Silva, the project has been in the works for months.

Da Silva said students will have a lot more to do at recess, considering all the choices they have now.

The key, it seems, is “there is a smaller student-to-game ratio,” and conflict resolutions that will be shared.

Since a large portion of behavior problems occur on the playground, then spill over into the classroom, it seemed like it would be a positive change.

According to Peaceful Playgrounds’ site, “the program distributes students evenly throughout the playing area and fields, engaging students in healthy, often educational, purposeful play.”

Peaceful Playgrounds is the brainchild of award-winning educator Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer and toted as a system of “fun and educational activities”… proven to reduce confrontations, increase motor skills, dramatically reduce injuries and maximize playground efficiency.”

The focus is on noncompetitive, structured games that limit physical contact and make better use of the play area.

The 100 options range from classics like tetherball to games such as Man from Mars, Jolly Ball and Pickle.

As a thank you to the volunteers, the Sports Basement of Walnut Creek donated food and gift certificates.

Da Silva appreciated all the help for the event, including Ken Centoni (president of the Delta Sweepers Inc.), “the kind man who donated the street sweeping” during the prep portion of the project.

For more info on the program, visit www.peacefulplaygrounds.com.

Contra Costa Times – School Bell: Time to Play

The Recess Advocacy Toolkit includes: parent letters, a powerpoint presentation, a meeting agenda, and advocacy guide for Saving School Recess.  It can be download here :  https://peacefulplaygrounds.com/right-to-recess-campaign/Â