It's hard to believe but true. A high school student from New Jersey is suing her high school claiming that she was hurt on campus during a 2006 game of freeze tag. The student claims she was pushed into a commercial lawn mower while playing tag during a cheerleading practice in the schools courtyard according to a suit filed in Flemington Superior Court.

The suit suggests that she received "severe bodily injuries". She is also s…

Kaboom and Stonyfield Farm have joined up to offer a grant for $50,000 toward a volunteer-built playspace. Schools collect lids to specially-marked yogurt containers for Stonyfield Farm yogurt between now and December 31, 2008. The group that sends in the most lids wins.

Click for more information on Stonyfield Farm Yogurt/Kaboom Grant.

A special thanks to Peaceful Playgrounds Blog Reader "Jason" for bringing this grant to my attenti…

The beginning of the school year is a great time to consider a Box Tops for Education project. Box Tops for Education helps schools to earn cash for things that they need like computers, books and playground equipment. General Mills has donated over $250 Million to schools in the last 12 years.
For the simple act of clipping box top coupons your school can earn up to $20,000 per school year. Why not place this topic on the next PTA/PTO agen…

The CDC has released a new School Health Education Resource site which provides easy access to a wealthy of health information including physical activity and nutrition resources from the CDC's Health and Human Services Centers. The database provides links to potentially valuable resources for educators.

Goody’s Good Deeds for Schools grants help local schools pay for things they really need but can’t afford through regular education funding. Maximum award: $10,000.

Eligibility: schools in communities where Goody’s stores are located. Fifty schools will be funded in 08-09.

The classroom or school receiving the funds can spend $10,000 on their pipe dreams to whatever will improve the environment for learning including playgrounds, playground equipm…

For more than 30 years Campbell's Labels for Education Program has been providing school playground equipment for schools in exchange for proofs of purchase from Campbell's brands of foods.

Do you know about their new program called Campbell's Recess Awards Program? You can also get bonus points if your school participates in recess, health and nutrition activities.

Don't forget to check out the Peaceful Playgrounds Grants web pag…

A few times a year we get calls at Peaceful Playgrounds regarding organizations that paint U.S. Maps on school playgrounds. I discovered this article in the Kansas City Star about the AT&T Pioneers, a group of current and retired workers for the telephone company, who have worked for years painting maps of the United States on elementary school playgrounds.


Two other organization that paints U.S. Playground Maps are the Girl Scouts and Eagle…

Twenty-nine thousand students are enjoying recess again in their elementary schools after the Tacoma School Board voted to reinstate it last week. The Board expressed their belief that kids need to exercise their bodies as well as their brains during the school day. Superintendent Art Jarvis made the recommendation to reinstate recess in all 37 elementary schools that previously made school site decisions on scheduling recess.

California's first ever Standards-Based Physical Education Framework was approved today. The Framework places an emphasis on physical activity to combat the childhood obesity epidemic. State Superintendent Jack O'Connell said, "this will in turn help students academically and impact the achievement gap."

The Framework is based on the premise that every student's life can be enhanced through participation in a comprehensiv…

The once common middle school recess has all but disappeared in recent years. But in Wichita, Kansas recess is making a comeback. Truesdell Middle School principal, Jennifer Sinclair points out that "even prisoners get yard time." She also points out that scheduling, logistics, lack of outdoor play space and concerns over bullying have lead to a reduction in middle school recess.

According to the Truesdell staff the lunch recess se…

A big surprise awaited the students of Pearson Elementary School when school began last week. A group of parents joined forces to convert their school playground into a "Peaceful Playgrounds" by painting educational games and activities just in time for the opening of the new school year. The painting of the multi-use circle shown here is just one of more than 100 games and activities that can be added to the typical school playgrou…