You're Invited
2018-03-06 08:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Bloomberg LP, 731 Lexington Ave, 29W Aud, New York, NY, 10022, United States
A conversation: Scaling high-impact, long-term solutions so every child can thrive at school
Nonprofits, social entrepreneurs, and philanthropists alike are struggling to accelerate innovative efforts on behalf of our nation’s children.
Please join Playworks, the Einhorn Family Charitable Trust and Solutions Journalism Network for a roundtable discussion on what it will take to build the kind of high-performance organizations we need to help transform school environments, and how Playworks is scaling an innovative solution to bring out the best in every kid.

Tuesday, March 6, 2018
8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Breakfast will be served
Bloomberg LP
731 Lexington Ave, 29W Aud
New York, NY 10022

RSVP required to Deborah Brodheim by February 27, 2018
deborah.brodheim@playworks.org

Get in the Game Gala 2018
2018-06-19 18:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Tribeca Rooftop, 2 Desbrosses St., New York, NY, 10013, United States
Playworks will rock (and paper and scissors) at our annual Get in the Game Gala on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 featuring recess games, cocktails, a live auction, special guests and more.
This year we will shine the spotlight on our student and principal honorees for their inspiring leadership every day within their schools and communities!

Honoring
Most Valuable Principal
Principal Atiba Buckman
Speedway Academies, Newark, New Jersey

Presenting
Junior Coach Leadership Awards

Performance by
Rebecca Black
Musician, Actress, and Social Influencer

Location
Tribeca Rooftop
2 Desbrosses St
New York, NY 10013
6:30 p.m. Reception including cocktails and recess games
7:30 p.m. Programs, awards, and live auction featuring
Playworks founder and CEO, Jill Vialet and auctioneer, CK Swett
Junior Coach Leadership Awards
8:45 p.m. Entertainment, dinner and games
Festive cocktail attire
Individual Sponsorship
Corporate Sponsorship
RSVP

Our Sponsors
National

Roshambo Rockstars

Foursquare Phenom

Double Dutch Dynamo

Host Committee
Paul Teti, Normandy Real Estate Partners
Michael Carlone
Elaine Thomas
Herschel Goldfield
Jason Nagler and Juliette Zimmerman

About Get in the Game
Playworks Get in the Game is our fun and impactful series of signature fundraising events that transports guests from the ballroom to the playground, and has cumulatively raised more than $4.5 million for our critical programs.
Funds raised at the event will support the expanding efforts of Playworks to leverage play to improve the social and emotional health of every girl and boy in New York and beyond, by increasing opportunities for physical activity in schools. Locally, our programs serve over 100,000 kids at 200 schools across the region.
About Playworks
Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s social, emotional and physical health. In the 2017-18 school year, Playworks will reach 1,000,000 students at 2,200 schools in 23 U.S. cities directly and through professional training services. We are changing the educational experience and school culture by leveraging the power of safe, fun, and healthy play at school every day. We create a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills. Our vision is for 3.5 million kids in 7,000 elementary schools nationwide to experience safe and healthy play every day by 2020.

Past Honorees
Rob DeMartini, New Balance President/CEO
Christine Driessen, ESPN CFO
David Einhorn, Greenlight Capital Founder
Mark Hawkins, Salesforce CFO
Trip Hawkins Electronic Arts CEO/Founder
Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation President Emerita
Larry Miller, Portland Trailblazers President
Stuart Snyder, Cartoon Network President/COO
Past Sponsors
Deloitte
Einhorn Family Charitable Trust founders David and Cheryl Einhorn
Eminence Capital founder Ricky Sandler
Goldman Sachs
Mattel
Moody’s
National Basketball Players Association Foundation
National Football League
New Balance
Nickelodeon
Omega Advisors Inc. Chairman and CEO Leon Cooperman
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Salesforce
Third Point founder and CEO Dan Loeb
Tudor Investment Corporation founder Paul Tudor Jones
Universal Music
UPS
Walt Disney Company

Check out some pictures from last year’s gala.

(Photos courtesy of AM Media Group)

Race for Recess 2018
2018-10-20 08:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Newark, NJ, United States
Saturday, October 20th, 2018
8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Branch Brook Park (Cherry Blossom Welcome Center & Franklin Avenue)
Join Playworks New York/New Jersey in our community by walking or running in our 5K Race for Recess. This family-friendly fundraiser will include music, games, giveaways, and activities. All proceeds will support Playworks efforts to ensure that every kid is included on the playground and has the chance to build valuable social and emotional skills
Sign Up Today
Schedule
Registration: 8:30AM
Warm up and Registration: 9:15AM
Race-Walk: 9:30AM
Game Stations and Fun: 9:30AM-12:00PM

School Partners
Help us promote inclusion and kindness in our communities by walking and running with our partner schools, including:
First Ave School Elementary, Newark
William Horton Elementary School, Newark
Rafael Hernadez Elementary School, Newark
Spencer Miller Elementary, Newark
Avon Avenue Elementary, Newark
Dr. Lena Edwards Elementary, Jersey City
Belmont Runyon Elementary, Newark
Speedway Academy Elementary, Newark
South Street Elementary, Newark
Peshine Elementary, Newark
Roseville Charter Elementary, Newark

All ages are welcome. Any child younger than 18, must be accompanied by a registered adult. Net proceeds benefit Playworks partnership with New Jersey schools.

2018 NYC TCS Marathon
2018-11-04 07:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | New York, NY, United States
Do you want to run one of the most prestigious marathons in the world?
Join the 2018 Marathon Team Playworks New York!
Playworks is once again thrilled to be an official community level charity for the 2017 NYC TCS Marathon! Over the past three years, our runners have collectively raised more than $70,000 to support our in-and out-of-school youth development play and physical activity program! We are currently accepting applications for our Playworks NYC Marathon team with hopes that one day, every child in America will have access to safe, healthy play.
As a member of the team you will receive:

The opportunity to adopt and run for one of our 36 New York and New Jersey elementary schools.
One-on-one sessions with team participants to customize training programs.
Fundraising support throughout the campaign.
Special team dinner and happy hour events.
Limited edition New Balance gear.

As a member of the team you are expected to:

Make a fundraising commitment of $5,000 or more.
Attend team training runs (if local).
Be at least 18-years-old on race day.
Finish the race in less than six hours.
Be an ambassador of play!

To apply to be a runner with Team Playworks, please fill out our application.
Apply Now

Let’s Play For a Generation of Impact
2020-10-07 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
How can play help kids develop, practice social and emotional skills, and get physically active in virtual or hybrid environments or in-person experiences that are COVID-19 safe?
Find out by joining Playworks and other supporters nationwide and Let’s Play!
During this unique virtual event, you will experience how play feels right now. Teachers, coaches, and kids will share their stories of the back to school journey and how play and Playworks have eased the transition. Playworks President Elizabeth Cushing will highlight the current state of the organization and our school communities, and Playworks Founder Jill Vialet will highlight her predictions for the future of play.
For almost 25 years, Playworks has leveraged the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. While historically our services have mostly been in person, we’ve transformed the Playworks experience to ensure that we can support kids and school staff in their current environment-whatever that is- and ensure they get to benefit from playing every day. We need support to be here for generations to come.
Let’s Play together to recognize this impact on the past generation and raise critical funds to support the next. Thanks to the generous support of Swapnil Agarwal for every $1 donated, Playworks will receive an additional $2, up to $100,000. If you can’t attend but still want to make a difference please donate now.
Register Now
If you can’t attend on this day, you’re in luck! We’ll be hosting a second event on Thursday, October 8.
Register for that event here.

5 Ways to Have a Great Recess Webinar
2022-10-06
Big changes start small.
Join us as we kick-off The Game Plan, a free, four-part webinar series designed to provide practical solutions for principals, district administrators, teachers, and leaders of youth serving organizations .
During the first webinar, you will learn the 5 key components of a great recess:

Safety on the Playground
Effective Systems (play space, transitions, equipment, & visuals)
Engaged & Empowered Adults & Students
Conflict Resolution
Games, games, games, games!

Leave this webinar with a better understanding of the value of play and recess, how to identify and improve your play space, games that you can deliver right away, and how to help ensure students feel safe and engaged in play.
We’ll also discuss our Recess CheckUp, an online quiz designed to help you identify strengths and uncover areas for improvement. Get a head start by taking the three-minute check-up prior to the webinar.
The webinar will be offered twice, at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and 3:30 PST/6:30 EST.
Register now

Learn more about the full series and other upcoming webinar topics

3 Questions to Ask About Your Indoor Recess Webinar
2022-12-07
Indoor recess doesn’t have to be intimidating.
Join us as for webinar 2 of The Game Plan, a free, four-part webinar series designed to provide practical solutions for principals, district administrators, teachers, and leaders of youth serving organizations .
During this next webinar, we will explore 3 questions to ask as you approach indoor recess:

Is it really recess?
Are you getting the most out of your space?
Who else can get involved?

Leave this webinar with a better understanding of the benefits students can enjoy even when recess is moved inside, the pros and cons of different play spaces, and the staffing and support needed for an effective indoor recess.
The webinar will be offered twice, at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and 3:30 PST/6:30 EST.
Register now

Learn more about the full series and other upcoming webinar topics

Get Groups Engaged Through Play
2023-02-01
Keeping kids attention can be tough. Play-based practices can help.
Join us as for webinar 3 of The Game Plan, a free, four-part webinar series designed to provide practical solutions for principals, district administrators, teachers, and leaders of youth serving organizations .
During this next webinar, we will explore:

Using play-based practices to create systems to effectively manage large groups
Implementing proactive systems to address disruptive behavior before it occurs
Infusing play into the day to ensure effective communication with students

Leave this webinar with a better understanding of the group management strategies that are both fun and effective.
The webinar will be offered twice, at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and 3:30 PST/6:30 EST.
Register now

Learn more about the full series and other upcoming webinar topics

Playground Mapping 101
2023-10-25 12:30 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Make sure your playground is prepared for play.
Join us as for the first webinar in the return of The Game Plan, a free, four-part series designed to provide practical solutions for principals, district administrators, teachers, and leaders of youth serving organizations.
During this next webinar, we will explore playground mapping.
Recess is safer (and more fun!) when games have their own dedicated locations on the playground. Learn how you can create a map for your playground that encourages safe and healthy play for all students.
The webinar will be offered twice, at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and 3:30 PST/6:30 EST.
Register

Playing Across Age Groups
2023-12-13
There are many ways to play!
Join us as for the second webinar in the return of The Game Plan, a free, four-part series designed to provide practical solutions for principals, district administrators, teachers, and leaders of youth serving organizations.
As students grow and learn new skills, their approach to play evolves too. Discover games and resources that engage students across different grade levels, ages, and abilities.
The webinar will be offered twice, at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and 3:30 PST/6:30 EST.
Register

Resolving Conflicts Through Play
2024-02-14 12:30 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Learn fun, easy conflict resolution techniques students can utilize!
Join us as for the third webinar in the return of The Game Plan, a free, four-part series designed to provide practical solutions for principals, district administrators, teachers, and leaders of youth serving organizations.
Disagreements on the playground can be an opportunity for children to develop healthy and productive conflict-resolution skills. Explore strategies you can use to encourage students to resolve disagreements independently and create a culture of cooperation.
The webinar will be offered twice, at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and 3:30 PST/6:30 EST.
All webinars will last approximately one hour and will be recorded.
Register

Supporting Student Mental Health Through Play Webinar
2024-05-16 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Create a more playful environment that supports every child’s mental well-being!
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Playworks and the American Academy of Pediatrics are teaming up for a special webinar exploring the ecosystem of care for kids’ mental health and the transformative role of play.
This virtual conversation will engage medical professionals, educators, and other community leaders to shine a spotlight on the various people who form the ecosystem of care for youth and how play based practices can make a difference across all of those relationships and settings.
Attendees will:

Identify the various roles within the ecosystem of care for kids’ mental health
Learn about the benefits of universal supports and protective factors on youth mental health
Understand how play positively supports youth mental health
Take away practical tips for utilizing play in your roles

This webinar will begin at 12pm ET / 11am CT / 10am MT / 9am PT and will last approximately one hour. It will be recorded and the recording will be available following the event.
Register
Experts

Gigi Chawla, MD, MHA, pediatrician, received her medical degree and business degree from the University of MN and is the Vice President and Chief of General Pediatrics at Children’s Minnesota. In her role, she has oversight over primary care, rehabilitation services, and mental, developmental, and behavioral health, including development of an inpatient mental health pediatric unit, and partial hospitalization mental health programs. She is often called upon by the media for her pediatric expertise and is a regular contributor for the Minnesota Parent’s column and WCCO’s segment to “Ask the Pediatrician.” Her clinical areas of interest are the outpatient and inpatient care of complex special needs patients, premature infants, and ventilator dependent children. Dr. Chawla is also instrumental in advancing the organization’s forward-looking efforts around community engagement. Through internal efforts to better integrate school based care, primary care with behavioral health, social support services for families, as well as, external advocacy with government groups, she works to create an environment for child health that extends beyond the clinic. She is a Board Member and the state’s Medical Director for Reach Out and Read Minnesota. She’s been consistently named to Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine’s and Minnesota Monthly magazine’s Top Doctors annual list. In 2020, she received the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s Women in Business Honoree award; and in 2023, she received the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST Honoree award for Health and Well-Being. She is a Board Member and Vice President of the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. She is a member of the National Quality Forum’s Prevention and Population Health Committee. She has two amazing daughters who are changing the world.

Elizabeth Cushing is CEO of Playworks, a national organization dedicated to ensuring access to safe and healthy play for all kids. During her tenure Elizabeth has led Playworks’ scaling strategy, growing from a San Francisco Bay Area-focus to a national organization reaching more than 700,000 children every year. She is an advocate for collaboration amongst youth development organizations and is committed to making sure every kid gets to play every day.

Jessica Driscoll is the Assistant Principal at Marcy School for the Arts in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Prior to her role as an administrator, Jess served as a teacher at the 1st and 2nd grade levels and worked in the capacity of both Instructional Specialist and Literacy Coach. Jess strives to create a school culture that nurtures the whole child while cultivating a strong community of students, staff, and families.

Dr. Arwa K. Nasir, MBBS, MSc, MPH is Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. She is the chair of the AAP Committee on the Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. Her research focuses on the impact of family psychosocial wellbeing on child development and behavior, and the incorporation of family science and behavioral health into primary care pediatric practice and residency training. She is also engaged in global health research with a focus on the cross-cultural aspects of behavioral conditions and autism. Dr. Nasir spent the 2019/2020 academic year as a Fulbright scholar in Jordan teaching and researching cross cultural aspects of pediatric behavioral health.

Dr. Michael D. Patrick, Jr. is a board-certified pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He also serves as an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and an Attending Physician with the Section of Emergency Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Additionally, Dr. Patrick hosts the PediaCast and PediaCast CME Podcasts.

Thriving Through Play
2024-10-23 15:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Get ready for the return of The Game Plan webinar series—now featuring exciting new topics! Playworks invites educators and administrators to join our free, four-part series designed to help bring the benefits of play to your school.
Play is an essential part of every child’s development, fostering social skills, creativity, and overall well-being. Learn practical strategies and insights to increase playtime at your school or site and ensure every child has the opportunity to benefit from recess.
We’ll also explore how play can create positive outcomes for kids and contribute to a healthy, engaged learning environment.
Each webinar will begin at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and last about an hour. The webinar will be recorded for future viewing.
Register

Building Positive Relationships with Play
2024-12-03 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
The Game Plan webinar series is back with exciting new topics! Playworks invites educators and administrators to join our free, four-part series designed to help bring the benefits of play to your school.
Build stronger student-adult connections at recess with practical strategies for fostering positive relationships. We will explore the importance of adult buy-in and how involving adults in different roles can enhance the overall play experience.
With these strategies in place, you will be able to create a play environment where students and staff thrive together.
Each webinar will begin at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and last about an hour. The webinar will be recorded for future viewing.
Register

Adapting Play for Every Space
2025-02-19 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
The Game Plan webinar series is back with exciting new topics! Playworks invites educators and administrators to join our free, four-part series designed to help bring the benefits of play to your school.
Learn how to make play work in any space, whether indoors, on blacktops or small playgrounds, or in unconventional areas.
This webinar will provide practical strategies to keep kids engaged, safe, and having fun to maximize your available space.
Each webinar will begin at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and last about an hour. The webinar will be recorded for future viewing.
Register

Youth-led Play Shapes Tomorrow’s Leaders
2025-04-16 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
The Game Plan webinar series is back with exciting new topics! Playworks invites educators and administrators to join our free, four-part series designed to help bring the benefits of play to your school.
Unlock the power of youth-led play and see how it can transform your playground!
In this webinar, you’ll discover strategies to encourage children to be leaders during playtime, fostering creativity, confidence, and teamwork.
The webinar will begin at 12:30 PST/3:30 EST and last about an hour. The webinar will also be recorded for future viewing.
Register
