{"id":4512,"date":"2025-12-17T08:08:54","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T16:08:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/?p=4512"},"modified":"2025-12-18T13:12:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T21:12:43","slug":"how-play-is-transforming-community-at-112th-street-elementary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/2025\/12\/17\/how-play-is-transforming-community-at-112th-street-elementary\/","title":{"rendered":"How Play Is Transforming Community at 112th Street Elementary"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>A Conversation with Principal Hernandez<\/h1>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Playworks Southern California, we know that <\/span><b>play is more than just recess, it\u2019s a catalyst for connection, joy, and community building<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. No one embodies this better than <\/span><b>Principal Hernandez<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of 112th Street Elementary in Watts, California.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4528 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6096-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6096-scaled.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6096-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6096-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6096-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6096-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6096-810x1080.jpg 810w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6096-540x720.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6096-360x480.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6096-450x600.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6096-250x333.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>We recently had the privilege of hearing from Principal Hernandez during a Playworks board meeting, where he shared an inspiring look at how the program is already making a meaningful impact just months into implementation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Meet Principal Hernandez: Leading with Heart in Watts<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For eight years, Principal Hernandez has led 112th Street Elementary, a school located in the heart of <\/span><b>Nickerson Gardens<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the largest public housing development in Los Angeles &#8211; an area known for both its challenges and its deep sense of community pride. The community he serves is resilient, resourceful, and deserves the very best support, and he\u2019s the first to acknowledge the responsibility and opportunity that comes with that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe have a unique community of students here that is in a huge need of support,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I can\u2019t think of a better partnership than Playworks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This year, Hernandez and his team welcomed <\/span><b>Coach Marvin<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, their site\u2019s new Playworks Coach. And it didn\u2019t take long for him to become a vital part of the school\u2019s recess team.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>A New Energy on the Playground<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cJust 24 hours ago, I was outside observing Coach Marvin and my team at recess,\u201d Hernandez recalled. \u201cI saw things happening that simply weren\u2019t happening before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before Playworks, recess often meant groups of kids playing while others sat on the sidelines, disconnected or unsure of how to join in. Now?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cKids are participating. They\u2019re out there chasing the ball, laughing, and engaging in all sorts of games &#8211; handball, tetherball, kickball, foursquare. These \u2018old school\u2019 games are back in full force.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The games may be familiar, but the feeling is new: <\/span><b>more full participation, structure, and joy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>More Than Just a Coach\u2014A Culture Shift<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-4529\" src=\"https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6068-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6068-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6068-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6068-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6068-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6068-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6068-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6068-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6068-960x720.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6068-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6068-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6068-444x333.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/>Hernandez isn\u2019t just talking about change in the students. He\u2019s seen Playworks impact his entire staff.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOne of the best things Playworks has brought is confidence, not just for our students, but for my staff,\u201d he shared. \u201cCoach Marvin models what a successful, engaging recess looks like. Then my team takes those strategies and keeps it going on their own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At 112th Street Elementary, the Playworks model is implemented in weekly cycles\u2014one week of direct coaching and modeling, followed by one week where the school staff runs with it, putting the tools and strategies into practice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat\u2019s the key to sustainability,\u201d Hernandez noted. \u201cIf Coach Marvin had to step away for any reason, my team would still be equipped to carry the work forward. That\u2019s powerful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Building Capacity for the Long-Term<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What stands out most about Principal Hernandez\u2019s leadership is his deep belief in <\/span><b>building internal capacity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For him, the long game matters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s why he\u2019s especially excited for the upcoming launch of the <\/span><b>Junior Coach Leadership Program<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where upper-grade students will be trained to lead games for younger students.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe\u2019re in the early stages, identifying students who are ready to step into those roles, but I can\u2019t wait to see it in action. When our own students take the lead, that\u2019s when real ownership happens.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>A Community Approach to Play<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4527 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6116-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6116-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6116-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6116-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6116-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6116-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6116-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6116-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6116-960x720.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6116-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6116-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/IMG_6116-444x333.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>Hernandez also emphasized the <\/span><b>importance of collaboration and community support<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Thanks to Playworks\u2019 growing network of partners, schools like 112th Street are starting to receive support beyond the playground.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe\u2019re going to be working with other organizations who will be coming into our community through Playworks,\u201d he shared. \u201cThey\u2019ll be bringing in additional resources, helping fill needs we have beyond play because the need is real, and it\u2019s deep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playworks Southern California Executive Director, <\/span><b>Celeste Soto<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> highlighted one such partnership in the works: a multi-part engagement series with <\/span><b>Jonathan Louis Furniture Company<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which will include donations for the school\u2019s staff lounge and classroom supplies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cPrincipal Hernandez has even created what he calls <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the 112th&#8217;s &#8220;Fun Zone,&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a space for students who may not feel comfortable on the playground to engage in fun, skill-building activities in a safe and welcoming environment,\u201d Soto said. \u201cIt\u2019s filled with arcade games, basketball contests, and a prize center. It\u2019s even better than Chuck E. Cheese.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>A Principal Who Leads Like a Coach<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Throughout the conversation, it was clear: Principal Hernandez leads like a coach himself with energy, vision, and deep care for his community.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou are the ambassador to your school,\u201d Soto told him during the meeting, \u201cbut I really feel like you were a Playworks Coach in a different life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To that, Hernandez humbly replied: \u201cI do everything because I have an awesome staff. And now, Playworks is part of that staff. We\u2019re working together and it\u2019s working.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Looking Ahead<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the school year continues, Hernandez is already imagining what the next few months will look like with Playworks fully embedded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI\u2019m in awe of all the wonderful things already happening,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd we\u2019re just getting started.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Want to Help Build Community Through Play?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playworks is proud to work alongside passionate leaders like Principal Hernandez to create joyful, invitingclusive schools where <\/span><b>every kid can experience the power of play<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83d\udccd <\/span><b>Interested in bringing Playworks to your school or supporting a community like 112th Street Elementary?<\/b> <a class=\"u-arrow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn more about Playworks Southern California<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83e\udde1 <\/span><b>Want to donate equipment or sponsor a Junior Coach cohort?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/about\/contact-us\/\"> Contact us<\/a> to find out how your company or foundation can make an impact.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Conversation with Principal Hernandez At Playworks Southern California, we know that play is more than just recess, it\u2019s a catalyst for connection, joy, and community building. No one embodies [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":112,"featured_media":4529,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"region":[],"class_list":["post-4512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-updates"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Play Is Transforming Community at 112th Street Elementary - Southern California<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Playworks Southern California spotlights Principal Hernandez of 112th Street Elementary in Watts, California for his role transforming his school.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.playworks.org\/southern-california\/2025\/12\/17\/how-play-is-transforming-community-at-112th-street-elementary\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How Play Is Transforming Community at 112th Street Elementary\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"At Playworks Southern California, we know that play is more than just recess, it\u2019s a catalyst for connection, joy, and community building. 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