Video Library

Press Contact

Please direct media inquiries to:

Cindy Wilson
cwilson@playworks.org
510-768-7358

Tamara Murray
415-901-0111

From The Field

According to Coach Amber, an AmeriCorps member and Playworks program coordinator at the Lee Academy Pilot School in Dorchester, "every day is a...

Playworks served with Habitat For Humanity on the National Day of Service to help repaint houses and build a fence around an East Oakland low-...

Please note: Prior to July, 2009, Playworks was known as Sports4Kids.

What Play Can Teach Us

Jill Vialet believes that playing is essential to human development, and addresses significant education reform issues by encouraging greater creativity and problem-solving skills. This approach, she says, creates learning environments where kids feel safer, more engaged and more connected. Jill launched Playworks in 1996 in Berkeley, California. In 2012, Playworks will be bringing play and physical activities to 350 low-income, urban elementary schools in 23 cities, including Albuquerque. 

- TEDxABQ

December 16, 2011

Because of Playworks

November 14, 2011

2011 Most Playful CEO, Rob DeMartini, New Balance

What happens when an international apparel company with a commitment to responsible leadership, engages associates in play in and out-of-the office with a CEO whose Ipod playlist is consistently described as "eclectic!" You get Rob DeMartini, CEO of New Balance and our country’s Most Playful CEO.

As a parent, business and civic leader Rob exhibits a life long commitment to Play.

Together, Playworks and New Balance are ready to make Excellent Happen on recess yard across the country! 

April 12, 2011

2011 Most Valuable Principal, Sabree Barnes

Playworks Baltimore is proud to announce that one of our very own principals -- Sabree Barnes of Federal Hill Prep -- has been named Playworks Most Valuable Principal of the year from amongst candidates from Playworks cities across the country. Sabree is an amazing principal. 

April 11, 2011

2011 Rookie of the Year - Lawrence English, Houston

Stepping Stones Charter School, Houston, TX

Committed. Creative. Extraordinary. That’s how others describe Program Coordinator Lawrence English at Stepping Stones Charter School. “Coach Lawrence” has gone the extra mile to make the most of his AmeriCorps service at the school.

April 10, 2011

The Death of Recess?

Good Morning America talks about what is happening to recess in schools and the affect that is having on kids.

January 12, 2011

Playworks: Maximizing the Return on Recess

Playworks and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are supporting education by making play a valuable part of the school day.

November 18, 2010

Playworks on the Abudato Show

Check out Playworks Newark Executive Director, Adeola Whitney as she is interviewed on One-on-One with Steve Adubato.  The four-time Emmy Award-winning anchor Steve Adubato gives insight into today's world.  In this segment, he interviews Adeola on Playworks and the role it plays in mit

November 2, 2010

2010 Most Playful CEO, Larry Miller

Portland Trail Blazers President Larry Miller has been named the country’s Most Playful CEO in a nationwide search for inventive leaders who incorporate play and innovation into the work environment to encourage collaboration and teamwork. Miller joined the Trail Blazers in 2007, moving to the organization after 10 years at Nike, where he was responsible for the company’s global basketball business.

April 21, 2010

2010 Most Valuable Principal, Misha Simmonds

 Misha Simmonds of University Heights Charter School in Newark, NJ, has been honored as Playworks’ Most Valuable Principal. University Heights students at the school describe him as “silly, a great player, a good teacher and above all else, fun.”  In addition to his outstanding mentorship and communications with the Playworks staff, Mr. Simmonds plays with the kids on the playground and is one of the fastest adults ever to “turn over as many cones as possible during a game of Bulldozers and Builders

April 21, 2010