Playworks at Aurora Public Schools

  1. Updates

Considering Playworks as an APS educator? Read more!

Playworks Colorado is excited to have the opportunity to partner with Aurora Public Schools in the 2021-2021 school year. We will work together to build on your schools existing assets to increase students social emotional skills and create safe, inclusive opportunities for play for every kid.
Welcome and overview of Playworks programming from our Program and Partnership Director, Ellen Jenks.

Playworks is validated in the market.

As kids go back to school, play will be more important than ever. Playworks CEO Elizabeth Cushing discussed with USA Today the critical role of play and recess in supporting kids through this challenging transition time. Read more here

More Updates


child playing on playground
child playing on playground

March 27, 2023

Empowered youth to community leaders ›

The importance of youth leadership programming in elementary schools Childhood is spent brimming with fascinations of the future – ideas of what infinite potential can amount to, ambitions of fulfilling some innate passion, and the mystery of what the years ahead hold. Some will take on leadership roles, becoming agents in their community. How can…

January 10, 2023

Understanding the Complex Simplicities of Play ›

Play is a behavior that is natural and has existed for thousands of years and across species. It combines a set of made-up rules or norms and a willingness to explore. Researchers, scientists, and doctors have studied the effects of play on kids–and adults–and understand that this natural behavior has tremendous benefits. As the American…

three people with Playworks shirts
three people with Playworks shirts

July 28, 2022

A year of social and emotional learning ›

“You can’t do SEL, trauma, or equity work without each other,” Jennette Claassen, Head of Evaluation, Playworks. As Playworks continued to progress on our equity journey, we explored a critical question: what are the intersections between play, social and emotional learning, physical activity, and trauma? A working group focused on this question decided, among other…