Arne Duncan, the new Secretary of Education appointed by Obama earlier this week, can be expected to "think of new, innovative ways to make the schools better."

Duncan cites sports as being an "extraordinary teaching ground" for life's lessons where you learn important values like: hard work, unselfishness, teamwork, sacrifice, accomplishing personal goals and how to judge character. He was a professional basketball play…

For the past few years the concern over childhood obesity has dominated school lunch discussions. But the economic crisis facing the nation is spilling over into schools. Susan Phillips, a teacher at Enfield Elementary School, in rural Enfield, New York, recently noticed that one of her fourth-grade students was always cranky and distracted at the start of the week but turned mild mannered by Tuesday.

The verdict, he was hungry. It wasn't a…

The School Employee Wellness Website has just released a new product that is free to download called:
SCHOOL EMPLOYEE WELLNESS: A Guide for Protecting the Assets of Our Nation's Schools. It is a comprehensive guide that provides information, practical tools and resources for school employee wellness programs. It will help schools, school districts and states develop and support the implementation of school employee wellness programs that pro…

I found this video on Playground Safety on School Tube. It was made by two 5th grade students in their computer club.

Check it out.

Join us on December 5, 2008 at 10 a.m. PST for the Recess Before Lunch: Five Steps to Success Webinar. Attend this free webinar where we share 5 steps to prepare staff, students and parents for successful implementation.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/144069585

CA Superintendent of Schools, Jack O'Connell is appealing to the Federal Government to provide more funds for California's free and reduced lunch students. With CA's budget shortfall it is estimated that schools will run out of lunch funds by January 09.

Health advocates are concerned that the high cost of fresh fruits and vegetables will also result in serving canned fruits and vegetables which are less expensive.

"Without qu…

Women's Sports Foundation is the leading authority on the participation of women and girls in sports—advocates for equality, educates the public, conducts research and offers grants & scholarships to promote sports and physical activity for girls and women.

Founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, the Women’s Sports Foundation builds on her legacy as a champion athlete, advocate of social justice and agent of change. We strive for gender equ…

The U.S. Playground Map stencil is not only the most popular playground stencil but also one with educational benefits. The large map is great for social studies lessons and large group instruction. The Peaceful Playgrounds U.S. Map Stencil comes with 10 map activities, a sheet of map terms and references and a reading list of children's books for map related activities.

Winners in the Peaceful Playgrounds U.S. Map Stencil Contest will be an…

FREE WEBINAR- Friday, December 5 - 10:00 AM PST -
Free registration for this date!
A few brave principals across the nation are bringing a long standing school tradition to an end. They are advocating Recess Before Lunch. Recent research shows the number of schools implementing Recess before Lunch is rapidly growing.

Kids eat more, waste less food, return to class calmer, behave better and as a result, instruction time is increased. Sounds great…

Which is more important in preschool development, learning your ABC's or learning to play nice? It turns out both are equally important, according to a study in Head Start preschools in Pennsylvania.

Researchers found out that "both skills are intertwined according to Penn State University psychology professor Karen Bierman. Educators that focus on facts are missing the mark because play is the vehical that drives motivation for learn…

The list below are the questions and answers discussed after the Grant Writing for the Beginner Webinar conducted on Friday, Nov. 21.

1. Q. Are all schools considered 501(c)3's?

A. No. For profit schools would not have this status. However, private schools, charter schools and public schools fall under the non-profit 501(c)3 category.


2. Q. Are schools in lower socioeconomic areas more likely to get a grant funded?
A. It depends on th…

Grant writing is not about writing a grant but about selling a story. Good grant writers follow a proven formula that results in successful funding and "most importantly" grant implementation.

Grant Writing for beginners will cover:

* Funding sources
* Critical elements necessary for getting your grant funded.
* Strategies and support provided by Peaceful Playgrounds in your grant writing efforts.

Don't miss this opportunit…

The "Williams Settlement" filed in 2000 on behalf of San Francisco County students requires annual inspections of low-achieving schools to guard against substandard conditions. It was during a Williams Audit that Mintie White Elementary School was dinged for the poor condition of its playground. But inspector Nancy Serigstad from the Santa Cruz County Office of Education also told Principal de Santa Anna about the possibility of getti…

Contrary to popular belief last fall, SF school playgrounds are proving to be safe public play spaces for children. For the past 30 years most California schools have closed their playgrounds and fields to the public fearing that the schools would be vandalized. In SF however, the pilot of 11 schools playgrounds open for public use for the past year is proving to do just the opposite. Participating schools so far say the extra traffic actual…

A special for our blog readers. Join us for a free webinar as we test out our new webinar system. Click on one of the links below to register. There are two dates to choose from:


Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/552709773

Nov. 19 at 9 a.m. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/454868958


If these dates and times do not fit your schedule we will send future dates between now and Dec. 31, 2008.



A Peaceful Playground? Soun…

Peace check........

Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
The day is almost over, and its toiling time is through,
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?

Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that's slipping fast,
That you helped a single person of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said?
Does the one whose hopes were fading now with…

In the Hero Workshop "students learn that they are the hero in their own story and the workshop readings and activities encourages them to behave heroically in their lives." Through exposure to true heroes and their journeys, students will have models to help them with the decisions and challenges life throws at them – especially the trials of school.


The aim of the program is to show young people that by doing the little things every d…

A part of the search for Everyday Heroes today we turn to CNN and their November campaign to acknowledge modern heroes.

CNN's global initiative "CNN Heroes" is showcasing examples of ordinary people who have accomplished extraordinary deeds.

A great teacher resource for teaching about everyday heroes is the CNN Teacher/Student Hero resource link designed to discuss everyday heroes with students.

"CNN Heroes" spotlights and c…

Reasonable care does not require constant and undeviating scrutiny of a particular child on a supervised playground. Accordingly, a playground supervisor is not necessarily negligent if he or she fails to observe a particular child at the precise moment an injury occurs. However, a common refrain in lawsuits is that the supervisor’s failure to observe a child at the time of injury constitutes a negligent act and therefore the supervision is ina…

This past week I had the pleasure of meeting with approximately 20 like minded individuals in Houston, Texas as part of Hero Camp. The theme of the camp was "Changing the World... One Hero At A Time." We met to develop a curriculum for schools that would nurture the "Everyday Hero" in each of us.

HeroCamp was inspired by the Zimbardo talk given at TED 2008 by Dr. Phillip Zimbardo, the academic behind the Stanford Prison E…

Healthy students make better students according to the "Get Fit with Coach Smith" program called EduFit. Coach Smith began working with students at an inner city school in Broward County helping them to become responsible for their health by teaching them about nutrition, eating responsibly and increasing physical activity.

Your first webinar free through Dec. 31, 2008.


A Peaceful Playground? Sound Impossible???? It's not. With a few proven strategies we'll show you how to reduce bullying, and reduce playground conflicts, resulting in happy students and a thankful staff.

Our research indicates that 5 situations contribute to 95% of all problems on typical elementary school playgrounds. In this fast paced webinar we'll share those problem situations a…

Slyde the Playground Hound is loved by children and respected by adults for his “cool” and “careful” ways at the playground. With SLYDE by your side, children become aware of playground safety in a way that is fun, entertaining and easy to remember. Teachers can check out the SLYDE KID ZONE for coloring book activities, comics, games and other fun resources for students.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) is looking for strong district-level coordinated school health programs (CSHP). DASH is interested in gaining a better understanding of the essential characteristics necessary for program success. To accomplish this, DASH will be conducting site visits with selected CSHPs to learn more about them. DASH may offer assistance in evaluating these p…

National PTA : Making Playgrounds Safer

A national running campaign in China requires that all students K-16 run daily at school (Elementary -1 K, Middle School 1.5K, and High School -College 2K). It's all in the name of health and will continue from September 08 through the end of April 09.

It seems China's Minister of Education and teachers felt that childhood obesity and health concerns made the mandate necessary. However, some parents and students felt the running mand…

West Virginia children in more than 150 elementary schools did not receive the required 90 minutes of physical education each week during the 2007-2008 school year. California and Florida statistics tell them same story. Children are not receiving required PE instruction. In fact, only 67% of students received the required 90 minutes per week of physical education in WV.

Administrators of schools not meeting the mandated minute requirement sa…

The architect of a $2 Million park renovation at Morningside Park in NYC meet with some unusual challenges. Design a park where all the equipment is bulletproof — which explains why New York playground slides are made of stainless steel, rather than plastic, as is usually the case elsewhere.

Playground designers, according to NYC Architect Alexander Hart, must also make sure to avoid creating what Mr. Hart terms “sleepable surfaces” — places l…

Ireland's latest playground design "Tone Zone's", an elderly outdoor gym, is meeting with opposition. It seems that when local authorities have been meeting with community members they say, "thanks-but-no thanks", in regards to the new Tone Zones. The challenge it seems is to have the playgrounds close to where old folks live but senior developments see playgrounds are drawing "undesirables".

NFL Network is launching Keep Gym in School, a national initiative dedicated to supporting physical education in America’s schools and raising awareness about the importance of physical activity as part of education.

In its first year, Keep Gym in School is funding refurbishments for Physical Education programs at select schools, hosting NFL minicamps to get kids active and assess their fitness levels. Students will participate in follow up test…

Recess at Westmoreland Elementary School in NY went away last year when School Board President Mitch Lemaire says the district received word it could be audited for time spent on physical education. That resulted in the district putting a new emphasis on physical education which resulted in a loss of recess.

A group of parents in Westmoreland however have opposed the move and said recess is needed. "Kids are learning all day long, they ne…

When a Philadelphia 4 year old feel off a cork screw while playing on an elementary school playground structure the case rested on three legal issues. 1. The depth of the surfacing, 2. in adequate supervision, and 3. age appropriate equipment. It was alledged that all three conditions contributed to the injury ( fracture of the child's left arm) according to attorney's involved in the case.

It seems the depth of the surfacing did not…

When Florida legislators passed a law last year requiring 150 minutes of physical education a week some administrators decided to get "creative." They began counting walking to and from lunch as physical education minutes.

No way says legislators and health experts who pointed out that using the time it takes to walk across campus between classes was a "stretch" at best. But since the law that went into effect last year didn…

Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future
The U.S. Surgeon General’s Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative has three main goals that will be emphasized on October 6 for Child Health Day. Check out their website for additional information and resources.
Help kids stay active! Encourage healthy eating habits!Promote healthy choices!

Peaceful Playgrounds walking program called "We Count" provides a curriculum o…

California's Menu Labeling Bill has experienced a rocky past but on September 30, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, sign into law a bill which would require restaurants to put calorie counts on their menus and indoor menu boards.

A special congratulations to the California Center for Public Health Advocacy for their success in winning another hard fought battle aimed at reducing California's childhood obesity crisis.

Schwarzenegger said the leg…

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a joint initiative between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation and its mission is to tackle one of our nation's leading health problems – childhood obesity. The goal of the Alliance is to stop the nationwide increase in childhood obesity by 2010 by taking bold, innovative steps to help all children live longer and healthier lives.
The Alliance believes that helping s…

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…