School recess isn't just playtime; it's a golden opportunity to boost children's fitness, according to a new report.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation today released a report that puts school recess at the head of the class among opportunities to make students' school days more active.

But the report doesn't back a free-for-all melee on the playground. Instead, the Foundation says grown-ups need to get in the game, supervising…

Principal Pam Winfield credits a dedicated group of volunteers for transforming ordinary blacktop into an endless supply of games that can attract an entire classroom to share an activity.

Peaceful Playground is a concept developed by a former physical education teacher who wanted to create a safer and more inclusive play area for children.

In addition to providing more play opportunities for a relatively low cost, peaceful playground also encoura…

www.myhometownhelper.com

General Mills is looking to lend a helping hand to neighborhoods nationwide with its "My Hometown Helper" grant program. Individuals from communities and organizations across America can submit a written essay of 250 words or less describing how the "My Hometown Helper" grant would help improve their community project.

Maximum Award: $15,000.

Eligibility: Requests for funding must be sponsored by a munic…

Are you implementing Peaceful Playgrounds or WE Count? Have they made a difference in getting your students physically active? If so, you might want to consider working with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the CDC in allowing them to collect data on your school's program/s.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the CDC are seeking nominations for programs or policies that fall into the following 3 areas: 1) comprehensive school physic…

CDC is working with HopeLab to support of their Ruckus Nation project, aimed at encouraging physical activity among kids and teens. Today marks the beginning of the idea submission phase of the competition. HopeLab is looking for product ideas that will get kids moving!

Ruckus Nation is an online competition that challenges people to imagine innovative products that will increase physical activity among kids ages 11 to 14. We're inviting you…

By: Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer founder of Peaceful Playgrounds Inc.

Every decade or so educators stumble upon a really bad idea. The elimination of recess is one such current example. Citing valid, yet, inconveniencing reasons such as liability concerns, supervision hardships, and the pressure to increase academic achievement, some educators see the "all work and no play", ethic as explainable. This is clearly a short sighted trend th…

Let's Just Play Giveaway grants is a unique grant-giving program that empowers kids to bring much-needed dollars to enchane physical education, recreation and nutrition programs in their schools and communitites. Kids between the ages of 6 and 15 partner with adults to nominate their school or community-based organization for a chance to win. Each month, at least 20 winners are randomly selected to receive a $5,000 grant. Register at: htt…

Bullying is down at one Collier County elementary school, and the reason behind it may surprise you. School administrators claim it's because of the design of the new playground. School administrators claim it's because of the design of the new playground.
It's called a Peaceful Playground.

A study found the colorful playground markings and organized games decrease bullying, fighting, and injuries because every game has rules children …

We are one week away from National Recess Week. Are you ready? If not, considering downloading the information below and sharing it with staff and community members.

Experts say fresh air and play give kids an edge in their schoolwork. Yet, only 8 state school boards of education have a policy that ensures daily recess. Further, 55% of PTA leaders feel their school’s recess is in jeopardy. So, Cartoon Network has created a successful, award-…

Registration is now open for 2007 International Walk to School events in the USA. This October, communities around the country will join nearly 40 countries to celebrate walking and bicycling to school.

Registration is free and available to all Walk to School event organizers in the USA. By registering, Walk to School organizers have a chance to win prizes for students and gain access to a variety of downloadable items, including certificates, …

Summer is over, school bells are ringing. It's time to have a talk with your students about bullying at school and some strategies for dealing with it.

Go to stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/ to get tips and expert advice on how to help your students outsmart the bully.

Rubber lives on in play surface safe for wheelchairs, little feet.By Jennifer Clampet for Pamplin Media Group Keeping used tires out of landfills is one thing. Providing playground access to disabled children is quite another — or was, until a clever innovation brought the two causes together. “If you didn’t know anything about safety, what would you want to fall on?” asks Elaine Sherman, a longtime advocate of accessible playgrounds for di…

All cities tested had bacteria on their playgrounds. (Good Morning America)

Tierno said the testing uncovered so many germs because of the time of year. Combining hot, humid weather and lots of visitors is a recipe for growth, experts say. Of all the cities tested, Chicago's playgrounds had the heaviest bacteria growth followed by Phoenix, according to the NYU analysis.
New York City's Battery Park had the fewest germs. And though the sw…

By Alexa Jenner, ajenner@libertysuburban.com Downers Grove Reporter Thu Sep 06, 2007, 03:00 PM CDT Downers Grove, IL -
Photo by Ron Koopmann With their new “Peaceful Playground,” students at Whittier School have learned how to resolve thier own conflicts. Nisha Albert (left) and Haley Reid, both of Downers Grove, use the strategy of “Rock, Paper, Scissors” to settle a conflict Wednesday.
In an effort to curtail problems at recess, Whittier …

In honor of a new school year I thought the following poem was an appropriate reminder of "important learnings" that are sometimes over -looked.

Robert Fulghum wrote the now famous poem that provides worldly advise, “All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten”.

What I learned in Kindergarten:
• Share everything.
• Play fair.
• Don’t hit people.
• Put things back where you found them.
• Clean up your own mess.
• Don’t take things th…

As students return to school this week, some are finding unusual entries on the list of class rules: fewer fried foods, smaller servings and no cupcakes.

School districts across the country have been taking steps to make food in schools healthier because of new federal guidelines and awareness that a growing number of children are overweight.

More on School Cafeteria Food.....http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/05/business/05junkfood.html?_r=1

The percentage of children with weight problems at Department of Defense Dependents Schools-Europe has doubled in the past four years, according to a government survey.The survey, conducted by the Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine-Europe in each of the last four school years, shows nearly one in three of more than 6,000 children tested at DODDS-Europe schools last year was overweight or at risk of becoming overweight, CHPP…

Is tag really bad? TV stations, newspapers and website blogs across
the country picked up on the elementary schools across the nation that
admitted to banning tag. Most responses considered tag harmless.

As a former elementary school principal, I can relate to the “banning”epidemic. When my office filled with 10 kids on discipline issues before school started each morning I too banned before school recess. But I quickly learned that the decision wa…