In the News
Houston Chronicle
May 8, 2010
Teaching kids how to play ›
Program brings structure to recess Five-year-old Timaria Sanders helps lead her kindergarten class in a chicken walk with Bill Vanark, a program director with Playworks, at North Forest's Lakewood Elementary…
Philadelphia Daily News
May 7, 2010
Recess coaches help kids play, and that helps them to learn ›
Program in 9 schools shows promise, but kids out-of-shapeBy DAFNEY TALESPhiladelphia Daily News Fourth-graders at the William Dick School, in North Philly, listened intently yesterday as they learned the rules…
Star-Tribune
May 3, 2010
St. Paul schools rethinking how kids do recess ›
Nonprofit demonstrates games that combine exertion and learning. Back in the day, recess on the playground was the time for boys to be boys and the fainthearted to step aside.…
Portland Public Schools
April 30, 2010
Playworks at PPS – Video Pulse ›
In an effort to maximize play time and minimize disputes, Portland Public Schools has partnered with Playworks, a nationwide nonprofit that provides play coaches to low income schools. See how…
Oregonlive.com
April 27, 2010
Playworks sets up its ‘recess coaches’ program in Portland ›
An Omamas reader recently alerted us to a New York Times article on “recess coaches” who help kids structure their recess time positively, without bullying or other conflict. The reader,…
Colorado Education News
April 16, 2010
“Recess” Coaches May Help Classroom Work ›
Recess went better at Denver’s Swansea Elementary School last week than any week Principal Mary Sours can remember in the past ten years. Kids were running instead of standing against…
New York Times
March 27, 2010
At Schools, Playtime is Over ›
RECESS is no longer child’s play. Schools around the country, concerned about bullying and arguments over the use of the equipment, are increasingly hiring “recess coaches” to oversee students’ free…
New York Times
March 13, 2010
Forget Goofing Around: Recess Has a New Boss ›
The New York Times looks at Newark's Broadway Elementary. The school is one of a growing number across the country that are reining in recess to curb bullying and behavior…
The Baltimore Sun
March 2, 2010
Letting kids play pays off ›
Dajah Jones' bead-accented braids sprayed through the air as she fell to the ground after colliding with Harlem Park School classmate Dorion Cook. The two sixth graders were among a…