Recess Advocacy Team - December 2019 Newsletter

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View this email in your browser Recess News Recess helps students reach their full potential As we head into colder weather and the likelihood of snow increases, what will recess look like for your children?  Children should still have the opportunity to play outside -  even during the cold, winter months. The Pennsylvania Early Learning Keys to Quality position statement holds the expectation that children need to play outside when the forecast temperature and wind chill is above 25 degrees Fahrenheit and there is no precipitation falling. Of course, safety is always important and sometimes indoor recess will be necessary. Do your children still have the chance to be active even when playing indoors? See tips and resources below.  Visit Our Website Recess Champions The Buffalo Public School District has a wellness policy that addresses physical, mental, and emotional well-being and is being considered as a model for a New York state wellness policy. In efforts to support the whole child, International School #45 focuses on wellness and recently added recess to the school day. A new playground was built to ensure more play during the school day. Principal Lynn Piccirillo comment about her students: “I think they’re happier. They like coming to school. They’re smiling.”  Tips & Resources Recess Resources: Active Indoor Recess Tips from Action for Healthy Kids - check out the online resource full of tips to have a successful plan for active indoor play. Below are a few tips: Does your school have a plan for an active indoor recess? It's best to have conversations and a plan in place even before the weather gets too bad. Ask students what they would like to do for indoor recess. Establish structures and procedures to enable active indoor play. Coordinate with school's physical education teacher to provide supplies/games.   Get Up and Move: Recess Advocacy Team member - Let's Move Pittsburgh brings fitness and fun for the whole family through Let's Move Pittsburgh Bingo. This is an opportunity for schools to encourage children and families to get excited about trying new activities and experiences! The program will run from Nov. 13 – Jan. 15 in regional schools, but anyone can play along!  Visit the Let's Move Pittsburgh website to download a Bingo card and learn more about how to play! Partner Spotlight Healthy Schools PA is a program of Women for a Healthy Environment, a children’s environmental health non-profit focused on empowering communities with the tools, knowledge, and resources to advocate for healthier environments where children live, learn, grow, and play. Visit their website at www.healthyschoolspa.org to learn more! In the photo on the left,  Healthy Schools staff teaching about air quality in Wilkinsburg. On the right, students in Homewood engineering the tallest tower from recycled materials. Share with a friend! Please forward this newsletter to a friend who you think would be interested and ask them to subscribe. Copyright © 2019 Recess Advocacy Team, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to hear the latest news from the Recess Advocacy Team. Our mailing address is: Recess Advocacy Team c/o Trying Together  5604 Solway Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 For questions, contact: recess@tryingtogether.org unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences   forward this email

Recess Advocacy Team - November 2019 Newsletter

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View this email in your browser Recess News Attendees at Recess: A Community Conversation share how they will be recess advocates Recess helps students reach their full potential Thank you to everyone who made it to our first Community Conversation! We enjoyed learning about recess in our region - what's going well and what needs to be improved. Don't worry if you missed it. We plan to host more in the near future and will share details soon. Visit Our Website Recess Champions We are thrilled with the recess champions who joined us for the first community conversation.  Despite the rainy night, we had fun with playful indoor activities. During our group breakout sessions, we learned about how children are currently playing during indoor and outdoor recess. We love to hear about the physical play happening in schools as part of recess!  We also discussed how families, schools, and the Recess Advocacy Team can collaborate to ensure children have the opportunity for free play every day at school recess. Check out some photos from the night below: Tips & Resources Get Up and Move:  Stuck inside for recess? Check out this guide from Playworks for running indoor recess: Partner Spotlight As a founding member of the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy participates in the Recess Advocacy Team because play is critical for students’ learning and development.  Studies show that play and physical activity, particularly in the outdoors, can improve attention, memory, and focus.  Through Pittsburgh Parks Rx, the Parks Conservancy provides tools and support to schools who want to encourage outdoor play. Other playful Parks Conservancy programs include weekend nature play dates, summer camp, and neighborhood nature programs.   Photo: Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Share with a friend! Please forward this newsletter to a friend who you think would be interested and ask them to subscribe. Forward this email      Update your preferences       Unsubscribe from this list Copyright © 2019, Recess Advocacy Team, All rights reserved. Contact: recess@tryingtogether.org

Recess: A Community Conversation Reminder

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View this email in your browser Recess News Recess helps students reach their full potential Do you have children that are school-age? Is recess important to you? Join us for our first installment of Recess: A Community Conversation next Thursday, November 7th from 6:00-7:30 pm at the Frick Environmental Center. This event is free and open to the public.  The evening will include: conversation playful activities networking dinner, and more! Please register by November 4, 2019. For questions about the event e-mail recess@tryingtogether.org. Share with a friend! Please forward this newsletter to a friend who you think would be interested and ask them to subscribe. Forward this email      Update your preferences       Unsubscribe from this list Copyright © 2019, Recess Advocacy Team, All rights reserved. Contact: recess@tryingtogether.org

Recess Advocacy Team - October 2019 Newsletter

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View this email in your browser Recess News Recess helps students reach their full potential Are you concerned or excited about recess at your school? The Recess Advocacy Team is hosting our first Community Conversation on Thursday, November 7th from 6:00pm-7:30 pm at the Frick Environmental Center.  Register to attend here! Click the image below to learn more. Visit our website Recess Champions Are you a recess champion? Join us for our first Community Conversation about recess this November! Email us at recess@tryingtogether.org if you have a positive story to share about recess at your school. Tips & Resources   Recess Resources: We love this recess guide shared with us by a student from the Salt Lake City Children's Network: https://www.playgroundequipment.com/physical-education-guide/ Get Up and Move:  Partner Spotlight Trying Together supports high-quality care and education for young children by providing advocacy, community resources, and professional growth opportunities for the needs and rights of children, their families, and the individuals who interact with them. The policy agenda calls for advancing the use of developmentally appropriate practices which acknowledges the role of play in children's learning and development. Play is the work of early childhood and unstructured free play allows children to grow their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. Children playing at the Trying Together Early Learning Hub's annual Homewood Block Party. Share with a friend! Please forward this newsletter to a friend who you think would be interested and ask them to subscribe. Forward this email      Update your preferences       Unsubscribe from this list Copyright © 2019, Recess Advocacy Team, All rights reserved. Contact: recess@tryingtogether.org

Recess Advocacy Team - September 2019 Newsletter

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View this email in your browser Recess News Recess helps students reach their full potential Now that school is back in session, the Recess Advocacy Team looks forward to collaborating with families, educators, and policymakers to elevate the importance of play. Did you know that eight states have a recess policy? Missouri, Florida, New Jersey, and Rhode Island mandate schools offer at least 20 minutes.   Arizona requires two recess periods a day for elementary schools but does not specify the length.   Virginia, Indiana, and Connecticut have broader policies on physical activity that mention recess but leave more room for school districts to define. In many of these states, parents and students advocated for the policy change. Check out our letter below to start a conversation at your school.  Learn more on our website Recess Champions Montgomery County Schools began offering recess twice a day for elementary school students and the district saw an increase in test scores!  "Incorporating more movement into the day we've seen a decrease in discipline, we've seen students that are more engaged, less off task behavior and things of that nature." - Principal Oliver Lewis Recess Resource School is back in session! Share this recess letter with your school to show how important recess is to you and your child. Find this resource and more at our website at  http://www.playfulpittsburgh.org/recess-resource-archive.     Partner Spotlight The Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative understands that play is a critical element in the lives of people of all ages, especially in schools. The Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative is a co-lead organization of the Recess Advocacy Team. Students at Woodland Hills Academy playing with the Rigamajig, borrowed from the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative. Check out the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative website to learn more about how your school can use this as well! Share with a friend! Please forward this newsletter to a friend who you think would be interested and ask them to subscribe. Forward this email      Update your preferences       Unsubscribe from this list Copyright © 2019, Recess Advocacy Team, All rights reserved. Contact: recess@tryingtogether.org

Recess Advocacy Team - August 2019 Newsletter

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View this email in your browser Recess News Recess helps students reach their full potential It's hard to believe, but it's almost time for Back to School! Be sure to check out some of the Back to School events listed below. As children prepare to return to their classrooms for the 2019-2020 school year, it's important to think about how they will continue to receive time for free play and physical activity during instructional hours. How will you advocate for recess and play as a new school year begins?  Recess Resource Share this recess letter with your school to share how important recess is to you and your child. Find this resource and more on our website at http://www.playfulpittsburgh.org/recess-resource-archive Back to School Events Kindergarten, Here I Come! Saturday, August 17, 2019 10:00AM - 2:00PM Children's Museum of Pittsburgh Ed Gainey's 5th Annual Back to School Giveaway! Saturday, August 17, 2019 11:00AM - 3:00PM Destiny International Ministry #WEAREPPS Back to School Event Monday, August 19, 2019 1:00PM - 5:00PM Pittsburgh Obama Partner Spotlight Environmental Charter School believes that it is our responsibility to build an active, engaged, and thoughtful citizenry – not just graduate students.  We are part of the recess advocacy team because we believe in play, out the door education and free choice for children. Garden lesson in ECS Primary's front garden Visit Our Website Share with a friend! Please forward this newsletter to a friend who you think would be interested and ask them to subscribe. Forward this email      Update your preferences       Unsubscribe from this list Copyright © 2019, Recess Advocacy Team, All rights reserved. Contact: recess@tryingtogether.org

Recess Advocacy Team - July 2019 Newsletter

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View this email in your browser Recess News Recess helps students reach their full potential To help us remember to play every day, and to spread our message of the importance of play, the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative created this Play Poster, a free resource that is available in digital and print formats. Click the image to download or request a copy. Visit Our Website Recess Champions Playworks helps schools and youth programs create healthy play environments where every child can join in.  Playworks Pro teaches schools and youth organizations to use practical skills that tap into the transformative power of play to change lives. Stay tuned for more Playworks resources in future newsletters! Tips & Resources Get Up and Move: Design your own obstacle course in your space! Use items you have lying around! Get creative! Partner Spotlight Sharon Taverno Ross, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Health and Physical Activity, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh. Her research focuses on childhood obesity prevention and physical activity promotion in children and youth, primarily those of Latino origin. She is a member of the Recess Advocacy team because she recognizes the importance of play and physical activity for children’s mental, physical, and social well-being and wants to support any movements or efforts in this area.    Students participating in physical activity breaks doing a crab walk and plank. Share with a friend! Please forward this newsletter to a friend who you think would be interested and ask them to subscribe. Forward this email      Update your preferences       Unsubscribe from this list Copyright © 2019, Recess Advocacy Team, All rights reserved. Contact: recess@tryingtogether.org

Recess Advocacy Team - June 2019 Newsletter

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View this email in your browser Recess News Recess helps students reach their full potential Recess Champions The Recess Advocacy Team has been working with the Edgewood STEAM Academy to aid in working towards a safe and fun playground for their students. Their hard work paid off and they will be installing a new KaBOOM! playground on July 12th (volunteers are still needed)! The district is also evaluating recess in each of their elementary schools moving forward!   Tips & Resources Recess Resources: Want to learn more about play in the Pittsburgh Region? Check out this guide to learn more about how we play in Southwestern PA! Get Up and Move: Partner Spotlight The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Arts Education Department provides high-quality arts integration residencies and workshops. These interactive programs are led by professional teaching artists who work alongside educators to align their art forms with curriculum content, developmentally appropriate practices, and academic standards. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust understands the importance of recess for children. Recess offers students a break from academics and provides time for physical activities, creativity, imaginative play, cooperation and socialization with peers.  Recess activities contribute to the overall health and well-being of children. Students from the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Pittsburgh Minadeo School’s residency program dancing during the Three Rivers Arts Festival.                 Photographer – Richard Kelly    Visit Our Website Share with a friend! Please forward this newsletter to a friend who you think would be interested and ask them to subscribe. Forward this email      Update your preferences       Unsubscribe from this list Copyright © 2019, Recess Advocacy Team, All rights reserved. Contact: recess@tryingtogether.org

Recess Advocacy Team - May 2019 Newsletter

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View this email in your browser Recess News Recess helps students reach their full potential Recess Policy Do you wish your school had more recess? Check out what Parents for Active Learning in Arkansas helped accomplish! An Arkansas House committee advanced a bill to extend recess. The bill would require public elementary school students to receive at least 40 minutes of unstructured social play.  “More recess and lunchtime would make us less wild during the day, so everyone would learn more." -Arkansas student testifying on recess Tips & Resources Grant Opportunities: Game On Grants: BE Time: Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) Game On grants for BE Time provide funding for schools to implement school/student/family-led physical activity and nutrition programs that provide more options for unstructured time at school to support the whole child. Applications are due by Tuesday, May 28.   Recess Resources: We know that recess is a time for children to develop relationships with their peers. Here are some tips on how to promote positive communication! Check out this infographic below.   Get Up and Move: Partner Spotlight Propel Schools is a network of 13 public charter schools that transforms the lives of children in underserved communities through innovative, student-centered learning. Propel believes in the importance of play in a child's development and in the need for opportunities for school staff, families and children to celebrate life through play. The Propel Afterschool MAGIC Program provides opportunities for organized and free play at the end of the day. Also, the Propel staff is encouraged to participate in playful activities during staff meetings and gatherings. We all know how to play at Propel. Share with a friend! Please forward this newsletter to a friend who you think would be interested and ask them to subscribe. Visit Our Website Forward this email      Update your preferences       Unsubscribe from this list Copyright © 2019, Recess Advocacy Team, All rights reserved. Contact: recess@tryingtogether.org

Recess Advocacy Team - April 2019 Newsletter

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View this email in your browser Recess News Recess helps students reach their full potential Visit Our Website Recess Champions Parents and children are elevating the importance of recess around the country. Four states currently require schools to offer unstructured play and a few other state legislatures (such as Connecticut) have introduced bills to support recess and physical activity. "In an era when even elementary school students are facing a barrage of high-stakes testing and increasingly rigorous requirements, the notion that recess can boost a child’s mood, strengthen social bonds among youngsters and even lead to better academic outcomes is gaining ground." Tips & Resources Grant Opportunities:   Let's Move Pittsburgh Champion Schools Award - Let’s Move Pittsburgh, with support from The Heinz Endowments, announced the 2019 Champion Schools Awards! The grant aims to help licensed early childcare centers, pre-kindergarten, and elementary schools in Allegheny County become the healthiest places for kids to learn and grow. The application deadline is Friday, April 12th at 5 pm. Highmark Foundation School Grants and Awards Programs - The Highmark Foundation works in partnership with schools and communities to determine what changes made within schools will bring about system-wide improvement to children's overall health. Applications are approved on a rolling basis and will be accepted until December 31, 2019. ​   Recess Resources: Recess Advocacy Team Resource Archive: One of our goals is to continue to add resources for recess-related advocacy, policy, and best practices for both families and educators. Check out our up-to-date guide with resources and research about recess. Get up and move:   Partner Spotlight A+ Schools is an independent advocate for educational equity in Pittsburgh that works with parents, students, and community members to advocate for change that will ensure every child in Pittsburgh receives a world-class education. A+ Schools understands that play is a vital part of a well-rounded education and healthy school environment.  Student Art Competition for the Cover of the Report to the Community Share with a friend! Please forward this newsletter to a friend who you think would be interested and ask them to subscribe. Forward this email      Update your preferences       Unsubscribe from this list Copyright © 2019, Recess Advocacy Team, All rights reserved. Contact: recess@tryingtogether.org

Recess Advocacy Team - March 2019 Newsletter

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View this email in your browser Recess News Recess helps students reach their full potential Spring is almost here! Hopefully it brings warmer weather and more time outside! Read on for grant opportunities and resources to support recess and physical activity. Also check out our newly redesigned website for more info!   Learn More on Our Website Recess Champions In addition to recess, our school offers movement breaks. This could mean mindfulness, yoga, or even certain websites like "Go Noodle."  Physical movement allows students to interact with their peers, let off steam, and refocus for classroom instruction.  - Northgate School District Teacher Tips & Resources Grant Opportunities: Let's Move Pittsburgh Champion Schools Award - Let’s Move Pittsburgh, with support from The Heinz Endowments, announced the 2019 Champion Schools Awards! The grant aims to help licensed early childcare centers, pre-kindergarten, and elementary schools in Allegheny County become the healthiest places for kids to learn and grow. The application deadline is Friday, April 12th at 5 pm. Action for Healthy Kids - Applications are currently being accepted for school grants for the 2019-2020 school year. Schools may apply for (1) Breakfast grants to pilot or expand their school breakfast programs; (2) Game On grants to fund nutrition and physical activity initiatives, including recess programs and refurbishing projects; or (3) schools and parents can apply for parent-led grants to bring health and wellness programs to their children’s schools. The application deadline is April 5, 2019.  Highmark Foundation School Grants and Awards Programs - The Highmark Foundation works in partnership with schools and communities to determine what changes made within schools will bring about system-wide improvement to children's overall health. Applications are approved on a rolling basis and will be accepted until December 31, 2019.    Recess Resources: Recess Advocacy Team Resource Archive: One of our goals is to continue to add resources for recess-related advocacy, policy, and best practices for both families and educators. Check out our newly launched and up-to-date guide with resources and research about recess. Go Noodle Indoor Recess Remixes: Movement and Mindfulness for Kids is a website with videos promoting physical activity along with academic, social, and emotional learning. It is great for indoor resource activities or a quick classroom physical activity break. It's free to sign up and easy to use! Get up and move!  Partner Spotlight Allies for Children builds alliances and serves as a bold voice for policy and practice changes that improve the wellbeing of all children in Allegheny County, specifically focusing on areas of health and education policy. We recognize physical activity and play are crucial not only for children's health but also for their performance in the classroom. Because the issue of recess spans both our core policy areas, Allies for Children is proud to serve on the Recess Advocacy Team and work to ensure children have access to recess. In 2018, Allies for Children and its partners succeeded in collecting a history-making 63,499 signatures to qualify a question for the ballot asking Allegheny County to create a fund dedicated to early learning, after school programs, and nutritious meals for kids. Here, the Allies for Children team pauses for a photo at a petition signing event. Share with a friend! Please forward this newsletter to a friend who you think would be interested and ask them to subscribe. Forward this email      Update your preferences       Unsubscribe from this list Copyright © 2019, Recess Advocacy Team  All rights reserved. Contact: recess@tryingtogether.org

Recess Advocacy Team - February Newsletter

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View this email in your browser Recess News Recess helps students reach their full potential Thank you for your interest in staying connected to the Recess Advocacy Team. Each month you can look forward to receiving our newsletter featuring information about the work we’re doing, tips, testimonials and resources for recess advocacy.  Read on for grant and training opportunities to support recess and physical activity as well as partner highlights and best practices. Learn More on Our Website Recess Champions Leadership is essential for building a successful school recess culture. "Test scores and research have shown that kids who are more physically active perform better academically. Our principal is 100% on board with this."   - Pittsburgh Public School Teacher "My principal and I are on the same page: all kids need to get out... to get moving. We believe it keeps kids' minds sharp. Recess allows kids to maintain their attention span and mindset."  - Chartiers Valley Teacher Tips & Resources Grant Opportunities: Action for Healthy Kids - Applications are currently being accepted for school grants for the 2019-2020 school year. Schools may apply for (1) Breakfast grants to pilot or expand their school breakfast programs or (2) Game On grants to fund nutrition and physical activity initiatives, including recess programs and refurbishing projects! Schools and parents can apply for (3) parent-led grants to bring health and wellness programs to their children’s schools. The application deadline is April 5, 2019. Visit ActionforHealthyKids.org/Grants for more information. Highmark Foundation School Grants and Awards Programs - The Highmark Foundation works in partnership with schools and communities to determine what changes made within schools will bring about system-wide improvement to children's overall health.   Training Opportunity: Concussion Wise: Do you work with kids who may be at risk of concussions? The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) is now offering the Concussion Wise Live education program! Concussion Wise Live is an in-person education program that covers the four critical phases of concussion management: Prevention, Preparation, Response, and Recovery/Return to Play. ACHD staff is trained to present this program aimed at both coaches and parents.   For more information contact Marie Fontelo at Marie.Fontelo@AlleghenyCounty.US.    Get up and Move Partner Spotlight Live Well Allegheny Live Well Allegheny, an initiative of the Allegheny County Health Department, is a county-wide campaign to improve the overall health and wellness of Allegheny County residents.  Live Well Allegheny is a member of the Recess Advocacy Team because play is a crucial part of lifelong wellness. Play gets kids moving and instills a love of physical activity and the outdoors, both of which promote good health. We hope to increase access to play and physical activity so all children in Allegheny County can lead long, healthy lives. In 2016, the Borough of Etna, a Live Well Allegheny Community, hosted an Open Streets event. Open Streets highlights the importance of safe spaces for people of all ages to walk, bike, and play their way through a community. The event was funded by the Active Allegheny Grant Program, a joint initiative of Allegheny County Economic Development and the Allegheny County Health Department that funds planning and promotion of active transportation projects in low-moderate income municipalities. Share with a friend! Please forward this newsletter to a friend who you think would be interested and ask them to subscribe. Forward this email      Update your preferences       Unsubscribe from this list Copyright © 2019, Trying Together, All rights reserved. Contact: recess@tryingtogether.org

Recess Advocacy Team - January 2019 Newsletter

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View this email in your browser RECESS NEWS Recess helps students reach their full potential Are you new to the Recess Advocacy Team? Check out the January blog post from Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative all about recess written by Trying Together.   Recess Tips & Resources Playing and staying active in the winter Outdoor Play Children should play outside every day -  even during the cold, winter months. The Pennsylvania Early Learning Keys to Quality position statement holds the expectation that children need to play outside when the forecast temperature and wind chill is above 25 degrees Fahrenheit and there is no precipitation falling. Of course, safety is always important. Check out tips and guidelines below for staying warm and safe during winter outdoor play: Tips - Dress warm and have a plan to stay active! Guidelines for Winter Outdoor Play - Green Zone (30 degrees and above), Yellow Zone (20-30 degrees), and Red Zone (below 20 degrees)! Benefits to playing outside in snowy weather - why kids should play outside during the winter! Indoor Play While going outside for recess is recommended and preferred when possible, the weather may not always allow. Here are some ideas for indoor physical activities that can be done in a classroom or indoor play space. Use a deck of cards (1-10 and Ace only) and make up some movements for each card. 10 - Ten jumping jacks 9 - Jump an imaginary rope nine times 8 - Eight mountain climbers (four each leg) Read more on this brain break handout Dance Freeze Play some music to get kids moving and have the class dance until the music stops — when they have to freeze their current dance pose. Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Play Boxes The Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative wants to help you with activities! Check out our collection of Play Boxes from our partner organizations and request access to borrow some for your indoor recess needs! Partner Spotlight United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania's fitUnited fitUnited works to improve the health and wellness of children. They bring their expertise and resources to the Recess Advocacy Team to support more opportunities for physical activity during the school day. This past October, more than 500 young professionals joined nearly 800 local kids for United Way’s Games for Good, sponsored by First National Bank. The annual volunteer event is an afternoon of fun and games focused on encouraging kids to be active and eat healthy. The event is part of United Way’s fitUnited initiative, which works to inspire local kids to adopt and maintain healthy habits. Share with a friend! Please forward this newsletter to a friend who you think would be interested and ask them to subscribe. Thank you for signing up to receive updates from the Recess Advocacy Team. Help us help you by filling out this short form to let us know how we can support you and your school! Learn More on Our Website Our school guidelines suggest that  if it is storming we do not go out, but a light rain/drizzle is ok for outdoor play. We ask parents at the beginning of the year to send their child in with an additional pair of shoes and a change of clothes in case they get wet. If weather does not permit for outdoor play, our message to staff is that we do not use electronics or watch movies when they are inside for recess.  Instead we offer games, art supplies and time to socialize with friends. -Environmental Charter School Forward this email      Update your preferences       Unsubscribe from this list Copyright © 2019, Trying Together, All rights reserved. Contact: recess@tryingtogether.org

Recess Advocacy Team - October 2018 Newletter

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View this email in your browser Recess Advocacy Team Recess helps students reach their full potential Thank you for your interest in staying connected to the Recess Advocacy Team. Each month you can look forward to receiving our newsletter featuring information about the work we’re doing, tips, testimonials and resources for recess advocacy.  Beginning in October 2017, a team of 15 organizations began meeting on a monthly basis to put together a survey as the first step in an effort to gather information on school recess practices throughout Allegheny County. The survey was distributed in both English and Spanish and gave us insight into practices, perceptions, and policies on recess throughout Allegheny County.   Learn More on Our Website Share with a friend! Please forward this newsletter to a friend who you think would be interested and ask them to subscribe. Why did we come together as a team to be a voice for recess?  Since the enactment of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) which lead to increased pressure for accountability and testing, 20% of school districts decreased recess time (Jarret, Olga S. 2013. A Research-Based Case for Recess. US Play Coalition). When reviewing local wellness policies in Allegheny County we found only ONE district that uses the term ‘recess’ in their wellness policy and many policies were unclear on the guidelines for physical activity and free play during the school day. We were also concerned with the number of local wellness policies that did not discourage or prohibit taking away recess as punishment. We were approached by a parent in the Greater Pittsburgh region who wanted to improve the quality of play and recess at her child’s school. Research shows us that recess increases children’s attention span and productivity in the classroom and improves grades, attendance, classroom behaviors, and cognitive performance.  Forward this email      Update your preferences       Unsubscribe from this list Copyright © 2018, Trying Together, All rights reserved. Contact: recess@tryingtogether.org