It’s not every day a Playworks school receives a visit, let alone a play day with not only one, but three Major League Baseball players and National League West champions.
On Friday, September 30, 2022, students from Northrup Elementary School in Alhambra, CA were ear to ear in smiles as they experienced such an unforgettable and fun play day filled with Hula Hoop Tag and Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith, outfielder Chris Taylor and relief pitcher Evan Phillips.
In an article by the Pasadena Star-News Junior Coach Matthew shared what it meant for him to have the L.A. Dodgers visit, and how he feels about being a Junior Coach:
“It’s really incredible that they would go out of their way and come to this school. I really enjoy it because in Playworks I get to help kids solve their problems, be a problem-solver, and have new activities to play.”
In addition to making this unique Play Day experience possible, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation granted Playworks a $15,000 gift donated by the Will & Cara Smith’s Catching Hope Foundation and matched by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, totaling $30,000. Thanks to this generous contribution, Playworks will also be able to continue to reach 51 elementary schools in Los Angeles County this school year to bring safe and healthy play to 29,000 students.
Northrup Elementary is one of 13 elementary schools in Alhambra Elementary School District receiving Playworks’ new Relay service, which was developed in response to district requests. Through Relay, students and staff will engage in ongoing play-based strategies to support physical activity and build social-emotional skills, while supporting a positive and healthy school culture through the power of play.
