Featured Articles

Schoolwide Discipline: What Works?

Lack of discipline has been identified as one of the most serious problems facing the nation's educational system. Well organized and orderly schools promote positive interactions and belongingness rather than an emphasis on punishment.

Recess is on the Upswing

The growing support for daily recess is gaining momentum. Parents, educators, and public health organizations have all engaged in the effort to bring back daily recess for elementary school students.

Low-Cost High-Activity Playgrounds

Simple playthings such as balls, jump ropes, hula hoops and riding toys do more for encouraging physical activity than swings, jungle gyms and other stationary or fixed playground equipment.

Why Bullying Programs Succeed or Fail

Thirty-six states have passed anti-bullying legislation which is indicative of the growing concern over bullying in schools. Systemic changes in the school environment in the form of school climate initiatives take time to implement bringing about the change.

Nutrition in Schools - Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity has captured the attention of legislators, educators, policy makers and the general public who are aware of the problem and joining forces to stop this epidemic. Schools appear to be the most promising setting to begin to battle the epidemic.

School Recess before Lunch

A few brave principals across the nation are bringing a long standing school tradition to an end. They are advocating recess before lunch. Kids eat more, waste less food, return to class calmer, behave better and as a result, instruction time is increased.

Read how to have a safe, healthy school recess from The Recess Doctor Blog.

Melinda Bossenmeyer

Andrea and Melinda Bossenmeyer Melinda writes articles on education, physical education, recess, physical activity, and playgrounds

Dr. Bossenmeyer is the President and developer of the Peaceful Playgrounds Program. She is a retired county office administrator and past elementary school principal. She spent 27 years as an educator and is the author of six published books on playgrounds and numerous articles on recess, playgrounds and play.

Melinda has presented over 100 conference sessions. She is recognized as a playground design expert, is Nationally Certified as a Playground Inspector, and served as a board member on the National Program for Playground Safety. She is the past chair for the Council on Play for AAHPERD and recently served as a writer on the California Physical Education Framework for the Department of Education. She publishes the Play Nice! newsletter for 10,000 administrators and teachers across the nation.

Dr. Bossenmeyer became interested in the childhood obesity crisis as a member of State Superintendent of Schools Jack O'Connell's California Task Force on Childhood Obesity, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease. She is an "expert witness" in legal cases involving physical education and recess injuries. Contact Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer

Andrea Bossenmeyer

Andrea focuses on articles about nutrition, health, and childhood obesity. She is an opinionated environmentalist, Reiki Master, vegetarian, pit bull owning health advocate.

Her entertainment industry and motion picture production background add a sense of style and flare to her article contributions.

As Sales and Marketing Director for Peaceful Playgrounds, her contributions allow her to grow, learn, influence others, influence children and result in a positive change in the earth all around. Contact Andrea Bossenmeyer

National Elementary School Principal's Conference Video Download Flash Player Peaceful Playgrounds on SchoolTube

National Elementary School Principal's ExpoNational Elementary School Principal's Conference
Andrea Bossenmeyer on the SchoolTube TV Network
Live from the NAESP Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

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The monthly Play Nice! Newsletter is full of tips and techniques for managing a Peaceful Playground. Each month subscribers receive links to valuable resources for free playground grants and updated product information on the award winning playground safety program from Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer. Add your email address today!

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