This year, Coach Pat introduced Playworks to Pierce Elementary School for the first time. As a part of Playworks, Coach Pat put together a team of leaders who serve as Junior Coaches on the playground. Fifth grader Matrix was selected and now loves being a Junior Coach in his school! Here's what he had to say about his experience.
My name is Coach Matrix. I am in fifth grade. My school is Pierce Elementary. Last year I didn’t get to be a Junior Coach, because we didn’t have Playworks at my school. For our recess we used to play any kind of game. Lots of kids would just run around and talk or play basketball.
At the beginning of this school year, a person named Coach Pat gave me a sign-up paper for the Junior Coach program. When he picked me, I was so happy! My shift is on Wednesday. On my first shift, I was outside. Junior Coaches teach kids how to play games for outside recess like soccer and four-square. For indoor recess, we have to go to different classes to teach games for the younger kids. We play the class’ favorite games with them. If they do all the goals, they get stars. Their goals are to be safe, responsible and respectful. If they fight, Coach Pat tells them to play Rock Paper Scissors.
There are twelve Junior Coaches at my school. When I put my purple Junior Coach shirt on, the younger kids look to me for examples. Everyone I know is a good Junior Coach, because they give good examples like being quiet in the hall. My Junior Coach friends are really nice. It is the best time of my life.
