The mid April Newsletter just sent out don't miss it! Schools, Vaccines & SALE. Read it here.

10 Playground Stencils on Sale now.
 Don't miss our Annual Playground Stencil Sale.  Single stencils include: Hopscotch, basketball key, 4 square, world map and the U.S. Map  Playground Stencil.

PHOTOS: “Peaceful Playground” at West Haven, Conn. School - New Haven Register Media Center

Ribbon Cutting for Peaceful Playgrounds at Savin Rock Community School in West Haven, CT.   Photographs by Peter Hvizdak / New Haven Register

(Peter Hvizdak — New Haven Register) Savin Rock Community School in West Haven, Conn. holds a ribbon-cutting for its "peaceful playground" Wednesday, November 20, 2013. The playground has designs and te…

http://bonniecabbageprogram.com/teachers/


Bonnie Plants delivers millions of free cabbage plants each year to students in third grade classes throughout the country. The program offers students a chance to get a unique, hands-on gardening experience through growing colossal cabbages, reaping hefty harvests, and holding high hopes to win “best in state” and receive a $1,000 scholarship towards education from Bonnie Plants.

You've heard of sit-in?   A few years back ( well, quite a few years back) they were as popular as "peaceful demonstrations".  Well some Chicago students and parents organized a "play in" earlier this week at Chicago Public Schools Headquarters.

Chicago parents are upset that CPS does not have a  mandatory recess period.  It is up to an individual school and teachers whether to offer recess.  Some parents think that is &q…

American Academy of Dermatology: Shade Structure Program

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Shade Structure Program gives grants for the purchase of permanent shade structures designed to provide shade and ultraviolet (UV) ray protection for outdoor areas.

AAD also provides a permanent sign to be displayed near the shade structure that promotes the importance of sun safety.

Maximum award: $8,000.

Eligibility: nonprofit organization or pub…

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) offers the Tire-Derived Product (TDP) Grant Program to promote markets for recycled-content products derived from waste tires generated in California and decrease the adverse environmental impacts created by unlawful disposal and stockpiling of waste tires.

Eligible agencies are public entities which include: California cities, counties, public school districts, public col…

A $10,000 grant to makeover a playground is open for applicants until December 1, 2010.

Other prizes include:
1)$25,000 in merchandise from Sports Authority
2)Every student will receive a Paul Pierce Activity Watch
Plus!
3) Your school will be celebrated with a special event when the prizes are delivered!
*See eligibility in official rules
Runner-up Prizes

5 lucky schools will receive $15,000 in merchandise from Sports Authority

Help activate Energy Bala…

October 23rd is Make A Difference Day.

A great organization to connect to Hands On Network connects volunteers with programs across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino.

This is a great list of 33 ways people can support/contribute to your school:
1. Assist a classroom (support a teacher)
2. Coach a sports team
3. Tutor
4. Mentor a student
5. Teach job and/ or professional skills
6. Start a School Club: Books; Music; Drama; Art; Writing; Ho…

In many California school cafeterias, there's no water available to drink.

Hard to believe but true. Drinking water is not available in many school cafeterias throughout CA.

A California bill requiring schools to offer drinking water at no charge to students has passed the Senate and Assembly and awaits the governor's signature — a fairly sure thing because the governor sponsored the bill, according to the Los Angeles Times.

I'm glad …

Contributed by JC BoushhSchools ban tag and dodge ball, Homeowner’s Associations forbid children from playing outdoors without adult supervision, and now British Police investigate the crime of drawing hopscotch markings with chalk on public sidewalks. When did children’s play become a crime? Many blame the death of children’s free-play on liability and the fear of litigation. While others argue that overprotective parents and sedentary lifestyl…

Educators and neuroscientists are beginning to understand the importance of recess. Years ago kids went to recess as it was good for their health to get outside, experience the fresh air and get a break from sitting inside classrooms for extended periods of time. Today we are beginning to recognize the many other benefits of recess as well.


Sutapa Ray, a neuroscientist with the Bellevue children's software company Neuropath Learning identi…

Yet another study is showing that school recess plays an important role in school success for children. Recently a research focus has centered on the connection between recess/physical activity and academic performance. A study released February in Pediatrics documented the positive relationship between recess and improved classroom behavior.

by Andrea Bossenmeyer

Remember South Shore Charter in MA? They were the clever little reporters that were competing with other schools around the nation for the Greenest School Competition. A special thanks to any of our blog followers for voting for them. Good news! They won.
They won a hybrid school bus from IC Bus,
as well as a green audit and approximately $20,000 to use for green improvements. The students themselves will also share a $3,0…

by Andrea Bossenmeyer
Edutopia has a great feature on "slamming". If you've never heard of Slamming it is a competition at which poets read or recite original work. These performances are then judged on a numeric scale by previously selected members of the audience.

Global Writes, is a non-profit that has brought the art of slamming to the Bronx, and developed confidence and literary talents to the students. One student comments …

Contributed by Andrea Bossenmeyer



Earth day is around the corner and schools are currently competing to be dubbed America's Greenest School. Not only will they earn recognition for their efforts but also win a hybrid powered school bus.

Watch this video entry from some very well prepared, educated and adorable students!



Go watch the other entries and Vote Now!

Area district attorneys from MA find themselves inundated with calls following a South Hadley teen's suicide. The state legislature is struggling to craft anti-bullying legislation but concerned parents, school administrators and law enforcement are getting anxious about their role and responsibility in responding to bullying.

"It has been an explosion," Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said, referring to the number…

Campbell's Labels for Education program enables schools to fundraise all year long for things the schools need. All you do is clip the UPC codes from products you are already buying!

They have now created new forms to make the process even easier!
You can keep these sheets in the main office, per classroom or even send home for parents to fill up and then send in!

1 Point Sheet

5 Point Sheet