For those of you who read this blog for recess information, I discovered a new website full of interesting information about recess.

It was started by a handful of parents in the Beacon City School District who have children in all four of the elementary schools in Beacon. Each parent individually had become concerned with the number of days our children spent inside a classroom rather than going outside for recess.

The website is called a plac…

Reading and math are important, but so are social studies, science, the arts and recess, Duncan said Monday on ABC's ''Good Morning America.''


Expanding on and explaining President Barack Obama's proposal to change NCLB legislation, Duncan said the new focus goes beyond math and reading to ''a well-rounded education,'' Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Thursday in the NYT.

NYT article: Duncan: More …

Sunday's New York Times has an article entitled, "Forget goofing around. Recess has a new boss." The article was about Broadway Elementary School in Newark. According to the Times, "there is no more sitting around after lunch. No more goofing off with friends. No more doing nothing." It seems Broadway Elementary has hired a recess coach who organizes daily games and students are expected to participate in the chosen ac…

The New York Times ran an article, Play, Then Eat: Shift May Bring Gains at School.

"Can something as simple as the timing of recess make a difference in a child’s health and behavior?

Some experts think it can, and now some schools are rescheduling recess — sending students out to play before they sit down for lunch. The switch appears to have led to some surprising changes in both cafeteria and classroom."

Here at Peaceful Playground…

1. What do playgrounds look like in New Zealand? Check out the "Keep Me Smiling" Blog post on playgrounds.

2. You might want to take a look at the new kit for schools called Move It. It is a free download and designed to get kids active and reduce the risk of diabetes.

3. EPA Accepting Applications for Environmental Education Grant Funding
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting grant applications for a total…

Recess Before Lunch schedule is catching on. Here's an article from Southern CA regarding their switch to the recess first schedule.

Don't forget to check out the Peaceful Playgrounds Featured Article on Recess Before Lunch and join us for a webinar on the topic called Recess Before Lunch 5 Steps to Success.Registration Link

Hardyston The Sussex County YMCA is running a twice monthly “recess” program for home-schooled families in northern New Jersey. What a novel idea. It is offered for an hour at lunchtime 2 Thursday's a month. Students can use the facilities which include a pool, playground and picnic area. Seems like a great service to home schooled kids and parents.

Let's hope this idea spreads.

Health: Childhood games revived to encourage outdoor play

By Beth Gollob
Published: NEWS OK

For many adults, hopscotch and jump rope seem like games every child should know.

But with a computer or video game system in nearly every household, outdoor physical activity has become increasingly rare during the past decade, said Wendy Jones, executive director of the child wellness advocacy group Schools for Healthy Lifestyles.

"These are just things…

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…

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…

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 Center for Public Education has released a mini research review of school recess and contrary to some reports they contend that 9 out of 10 students recess is still alive and well. However, they quote the 2006 CDC Survey (SHPPS) and the 2005 U.S. Department of Education Survey (FRSS 2005) which considers self reporting in which 9 of 10 schools report "scheduling recess." As a retired principal I can attest to the fact that, &q…

1. Have teachers walk students around the playground on the first day of school.
2. Introduce students to playground rules and procedures (ie. freeze at the bell etc.)
3. Teach safe play on playground structures.
4. Introduce the rules for a new playground game each week.
5. Introduce students to the concept of playground reports (pink slips for inappropriate play).
6. Introduce concepts of Walk, Talk, Rock-Paper-Scissors for problem solving.
7. Ad…

The American Academy of Dermatology offers a Shade Structure Grant program and is offering grants of $8000 each to fund permanent outdoor shade structures designed provide shade and ultraviolet ray protection.

Applications for the 2009 Shade Structure Program are now available for download. The applications can be filed electronically anytime between now and are April 10, 2009.

The growing support for daily recess is gaining momentum. Parents, educators, and public health organizations have all engaged in the effort to bring back daily recess for elementary school students. Their combined efforts are getting some amazing results! In the past 2 years, 15 states have enacted resolutions or recommendations for daily recess for elementary school students. The strategies behind this successful effort to reinstate reces…