Boston

Harlem Globetrotters star Buckets Blakes visited kids at the Nathan Hale School in Roxbury and met Marcus Branch. The fifth grader won an essay contest, sponsored by the Sports4Kids program, which helped set up Blakes’ appearance.
 

At William H. Ohrenberger Elementary School in Boston, nearly 90 percent of all students participate in recess games. Fewer than half of all kids did two years ago, before the group Sports4Kids started visiting the school, says principal Stephen Zrike.

Marcus Branch is a 5th grade student at the Nathan Hale school in Roxbury. Through Playworks, Marcus is not only developing his leadership skills through leading recess activities, but he’s fine tuning his letter writing skills.

This year, Playworks partnered with TD BankNorth Garden to host a letter writing contest for all junior coaches, with the winning junior coach receiving a visit from the Harlem Globetrotters. Marcus’ essay illustrated why he is a great leader, a great student and what is special about his school.

Coach Rebeca is a first year site coordinator who has done an amazing job bringing our unique brand of play to Cambridge. Rebeca is an important member of the Amigos School community and executes our program with excellence!

Coach Rebeca recently received a letter from a parent thanking her for the work she does at the school. The parent shared that her child who has an IEP for physical strength and coordination had felt excluded from recess and never engaged in play.

As a Playworks coach I not only get to teach kids new games and how to play, I also get to introduce important social skills that will benefit them in all aspects of life.

Here’s an example…

Jaelen was a special needs first grader I had the privilege of meeting last year. I would be lying if I said we hit it off right away.