Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer is recognized as a playground design expert and
is nationally certified as a playground inspector.
News organizations looking for information and content for an article
or segment on Peaceful Playgrounds can access our
media resources page for recent press releases.
Peaceful Playgrounds has been featured in numerous local and national
news articles or reports.
Education News - Aurora, CO
Playgrounds and The Science of Recess
- October 2011
Recess really allows students to focus for the rest of the day. They need to get out, get that fresh air, get their wiggles out... |
Chicago Tribune - Chicago, IL
New Playground Games Promote Peaceful Play
- August 2011
Recess is now about playing problem-solving games with the aid of colorful drawings on the blacktop. The goal is to solve problems peacefully... |
Douglas Dispatch - Douglas, AZ
Peaceful Playground Starts at Loretto
- January 2011
School playgrounds often define the community’s initial impressions of a school and
the climate of the school as a whole is set by what happens on the playground... |
ABC Newspapers - Coon Rapids, MN
Peaceful Playground benefits Park Terrace
- December 2010
Recess behavior problems have been cut in half and teachers are
saying Park Terrace kids are coming in with less problems in their
classes... |
Houston County News - La Crosse, WI
Peace to Prevail
on Elementary Playground - November 2010
If you give them
lots of different activities to do, they’re going to be more engaged
and they’re going to get their daily requirement of activity...
|
Parenting School Years Magazine
The Case for School-Day
Recess - November 2010
The educational system requires
kids to sit for increments of 60 to even 90 minutes at a time. I
challenge any adult to sit that long without squirming...
|
Arizona Star - Tucson, AZ
Peace spreads
on playgrounds around Marana - November 2010
Schools throughout
district utilize program that encourages problem solving and play.
The biggest thing is, they're having fun... |
Opinion - Miami County Republic - Paola,
KS
New
Playground Program Should Benefit Students - October 2010
Peaceful Playgrounds will give students a variety of game options,
which will stimulate their imaginations, and it will keep them active...
|
Miami County Republic - Paola, KS
Bringing Peaceful Play
to the Elementary School Playground - October 2010
The
program has a big focus on playground conflict resolution. It’s
just been wonderful! Disciplinary office referrals are down about
80 percent... |
Pioneer Press - Elmhurst, IL
Education Changes
- Recess Remains the Same - October 2010
Computers are
changing the way children learn, but Peaceful Playgrounds helps
children solve conflicts, specifically during recess... |
Tribune - Boca Raton, FL
Advent Lutheran
School Achieves Peace on Playground - September 2010
The
anti-violence and playground organization program's aim is to topple
the centuries-old Darwinian pecking order of the schoolyard...
|
News Leader - Yulee, FL
Peaceful Playground
painted at Yulee School - September 2010
Peaceful Playgrounds
will provide our students with wonderful age appropriate activities
during their physical education time... |
St. Peter Herald - St Peter, MN
Peaceful Playground
at South Elementary - September 2010
In a time when school
budgets are tapped, this program really works well in that not only
is it useful but it is very cost effective... |
Lawrence Elementary School - Wichita, KS
What is Happening to Recess?
- September 2010
Peaceful Playgrounds is used to show students
how to play safely and fairly and then help them make a transition
back to the classroom ready to learn... |
Contra Costa Times
- Antioch, CA
School Bell: Time to
Play - August 2010
Since a large portion of behavior problems
occur on the playground, then spill over into the classroom, it
seemed like it would be a positive change... |
News & Tribune - Jeffersonville, IN
New Games Help Students Keep the Peace During
Recess - August 2010
Before it was a ton of enemies on
the playground. It’s different, because no one is enemies. People
play together and have fun... |
Meadville Tribune - Meadville, PA
Conflict Resolution & Physical Activity Drive
Playground Program - July 2010
When chaotic recess energy
turned into calm, focused cooperation, the playground injury rate
plummeted... |
University of St. Thomas - St. Paul, MN
Neighborhood School to Unveil Peaceful Playground
- June 2010
Peaceful Playgrounds falls right in line with
my goals as a teacher – high-level participation, all skill levels,
sports and lifetime skills... |
Osawatomie Graphic - Osawatomie, KS
Program Levels Playground Playing Field
- December 2009
The program was made possible by a government
grant, and brings some stability to the otherwise volatile playground
environment by instituting more structure... |
Whittier Daily News - Whittier, CA
Playing Nice Just Got a Little Easier for
Nelson Elementary - December 2009
Kids will be able to
play hopscotch, four square, around the world, pickle and volley
tennis - and they'll all be playing by the same rules...
|
PNW News - Puget Sound, WA
CKSD Bringing Peace to the Playground
- November 2009
Jackson Park Elementary School students play
shadow tag rather than the traditional version as part of Central
Kitsap School District’s new Peaceful Playground program...
|
CBS WLUK-TV - Appleton, WI
Appleton School Solves Recess Conflicts
- September 2009
With children taking more ownership over
the playground and really taking ownership of problem solving and
conflict resolution they feel better about themselves...
|
Pine River Journal - Pine River, MN
Eagle View boasts Peaceful Playground
- September 2009
Schools that have used the Peaceful Playground
program have seen the occurrence of negative issues on their playgrounds
decrease since starting the program... |
Chicago Tribune - Highland Park, IL
Peaceful Playgrounds Create Colorful Backdrop
for Engaging Physical Activities - September 2009
Children
can enjoy the activities during lunch time recess and they can utilize
their own leadership and conflict resolution skills while playing
with others... |
Brainerd Dispatch - Brainerd, MA
Eagle View Students are in for a Nice Surprise
- September 2009
Teachers and parents volunteered their time
to provide new colorful play areas for students when they go back
to school... |
Columbus News - Columbus, OH
Parents Purport Paint Job Creates Peaceful
Playground - August 2009
For the kids that are the prime
targets for bullies, this gives them something to do where they're
not the loser... |
Sheboygan Falls News - Plymouth, WI
Sheboygan Falls Elementary Playground Gets
a Makeover - August 2009
When the kids play these games,
they learn to follow common rules and how to deal with problems
that might come up during the course of a game... |
Oklahoman - Oklahoma City, OK
Grants Take Kids a Hop, Skip and Jump from
Video Games - June 2009
Schools for Healthy Lifestyles
awarded $2,000 grants to 10 schools to provide training, equipment
and supplies to bring the Peaceful Playgrounds program to the schools...
|
Herald-Standard - Uniontown, PA
Principal Hopes to Implement Peaceful Playground
- June 2009
Imagine a playground without pushing, shoving
or kids standing on the sideline of the activities feeling left
out. That's what a California Area Middle School did... |
Hometown Observer- Detroit, MI
Peace! New Playground Equipment Designed for
Harmony - June 2009
The school yard is a now a lively
place with children shooting baskets, bouncing balls, playing shuffleboard,
swinging Hula Hoops on their hips and tossing beanbags...
|
NewsDay - Melville, NY
Promoting Peaceful Play at Northwest Elementary
School - May 2009
Students, staff and community members
used stencils and paint to transform their playground into a permanent,
colorful arrangement of outdoor games... |
Education World : Fit to be Taught - San
Diego, CA
Peaceful Playgrounds Inspires Active Play - February 2009
Research has shown the students involved in the program show
an increase in physical activity level, a decrease in bullying,
and decreases in playground injuries... |
Maryland Community Newspapers Online -
Fredrick, MD
Urbana Elementary Recognized
for Safe Play Video - January 2009
Fifth grade Computer
Club members at Urbana Elementary School were elated that their
creativity has yielded such positive results for the school...
|
The Arizona Daily Star - Tucson, AZ
Kids Learn How to Play Nice - January
2009
As part of Peaceful Playgrounds, the existing playground
was transformed into a smorgasbord of activities and all it really
took was some cans of paint... |
The Explorer News - Tucson, AZ
Rethinking Playgrounds - January 2009
Colorful lines, letters, numbers and shapes blanket the courts
— all used in a variety of games, including bowling dodge ball and
others involving numbers and letters... |
Marana Weekly News - Tucson, AZ
Twin Peaks Students Play on Peaceful Playgrounds
- January 2009
The program has been proven to reduce conflict,
increase motor skills, dramatically reduce injuries and maximize
playground efficiency... |
CBS KOLD-TV - Tucson, AZ
Marana School Playing with a Change on its
Playground - January 2009
There are high expectations
with the Peaceful Playgrounds program. It's going to eliminate all
the bullies. Plus, there's a surprise bonus. Fewer children getting
hurt... |
The Standard-Times - Dartmouth, MA
Peaceful Playground Teaches Social Skills
- November 2008
During recess, happy children climb the ropes,
slide the slide, and ride the swings while learning there is no
fighting, pushing or shoving allowed on this playground...
|
St Cloud Times - St. Cloud, MN
Simple Games Bring New Fun - October 2008
Our idea was to make recess a more valuable learning time and
to give kids more options for productive play and hopefully reduce
incidents... |
KHAS-TV - Hastings, NE
New Playground Teaches Problem Solving Skills
- September 2008
They will be able to problem solve on their
own. They will have the same expectations, all students will have
the same set of rules... |
The Daily Record/Sunday News - York, PA
Recreation Plus Education - August 2008
Administration, students and volunteers banded together to help
create a new playground for the kids at McKinley Elementary School...
|
Pine River Journal - Pine River, MN
Pine River Elementary preps for Peaceful Playgrounds
- August 2008
Eager elementary students skipping back to Pine
River-Backus this fall will be able to extend their skipping - and
hopping - to the playground at recess... |
KSBI-TV - Oklahoma City, OK
New Piedmont Elementary Playground - August
2008
Jamie Ratliff has the details of a new school playground
program aimed at teaching and keeping kids safe during recess...
|
Times Online - Fort Wayne, IN
Imagine Schools on Broadway to feature Peaceful
Playground - August 2008
The playground organization program
is called Peaceful Playgrounds and its aim is to topple the centuries-old
Darwinian pecking order of the schoolyard... |
The Republican - Longmeadow, MA
Parents Plan Play Upgrade - August 2008
This playground model is safer than traditional playground equipment
and helps children with motor skills as well as physically keeping
them active... |
The Altus Times - Altus, OK
Local school achieves Peace on the Playground
- June 2008
The program boasts increasing physical activity,
a much-needed intervention for the childhood obesity problem sweeping
the nation... |
Porterville Recorder - Porterville, CA
Learning While Playing - June 2008
If you keep the kids involved, they are less likely to get into
trouble... |
Chicago Daily Herald - Chicago, IL
A Design that Fights Playground Politics
- May 2008
The playground's design eliminates competition
and fosters teamwork... |
Burbank Leader - Burbank, CA
Bringing Peace to the School Playground
- March 2008
Parents report seeing tangible improvements in
schools as a result of the program... |
The Oregonian - Wilsonville, OR
An Updated Playground is More than Play Space
- February 2008
The staff saw fewer behavior discipline referrals
during recess last month, the first month the new playground has
really been up and running... |
The Republican - Palmer, MA
Playground makes for Peaceful Recess -
January 2008
The playground concept has cut down injuries
and fights and is giving pupils a better recess... |
The Huntington Public Schools Headline
Southdowns Peaceful Playground - November
2007
Everyone is playing with the same set of rules...
|
Naples Daily News
Playground Favorites Making Comeback -
October 2007
In just one year, behavioral referrals decreased
from 587 to 187, in a school with 900 students... |
The Doings LaGrange - La Grange, IL
St. Cletus School Brings Peace to the Playground
- October 2007
Recess is truly what you make of it. St. Cletus
Catholic School have adopted a way to make what was once a rough-and-tumble
type of recess into a peaceful playground... |
Ventura County Star Newspaper
- Ventura, CA
Playground program aims
to boost activity - October 2007
Whichever strategy they
use, children can resolve conflicts quickly and by themselves...
|
Downers Grove Reporter - Downers Grove,
IL
Playground helps resolve conflict
- September 2007
The Peaceful Playground empowers children
to have fast effective ways to resolve issues that come up normally
during play... |
Daily Citizen - Beaver Dam, WI
A Better Recess - December 2006
Even returning from recess has become more peaceful... |
The Boston Globe - New Boston, NH
N.H. Schools Move Beyond Traditional Playgrounds
- November 2006
The goal is to reduce conflicts and violence
by providing a wide variety of physically and intellectually challenging
activities... |
Teacher Talk Magazine - Park Ridge, IL
Field puts Peace of Mind into Playgrounds
- February 2006
Students are learning to take ownership of
problem solving. They love this program... |
W. L. Morse Newsletter - Sleepy Hollow,
NY
New Peaceful Playground - April
2006
Children were distributed evenly, laughing and playing
peacefully... |
The Mount Prospect Times - Park Ridge,
IL
Games gain popularity on school
playground - November 2005
Students said they like the
variety of games, and more children are moving during recess...
|
The Harold-Advocate - Park Ridge, IL
Schools add cooperative games to playgrounds
- September 2005
Old school yard favorites such as hopscotch
and four square are re-emerging... |
The Easton Journal - Easton, MA
New playground awaits at Olmsted School
- August 2005
A Peaceful Playground will allow students to
choose from 50 games to play when they go outside... |
The Tracy Press - Tracy, CA
Two Tracy Girl Scouts are Golden - May
2005
She measured and painted a colorful series of lessons
and games around the playground... |
The Wichita Eagle - Wichita, KS
Remember tag? Red Rover? No more - April
2005
To limit injuries and discipline problems, schools employ
a host of playground rules... |
Southwest Journal - Minneapolis, MN
At Armatage, a Peaceful Playground - April
2005
It has been successful because it continues the school
day rather than interrupts it... |
Louisiana Department of Education
A Plan for Playground Games - March 2005
As many as 80 percent of children voluntarily participate in
game play... |
San Diego County Office of Education
Effects of Peaceful Playgrounds on Injury
Reduction - February 2005
The Peaceful Playgrounds Program
significantly reduced playground injuries... |
Ashley Falls' School News
Ashley Falls' Social Climate - Peaceful Playground
Information - February 2005
Conflict management is one
of the key components of the program... |
Corvallis Gazette-Times
The New Rules - Playground monitors emphasize
behavior expectations - January 2005
Parents, as well
as staff, see a difference in the overall school environment...
|
Kane County Chronicle
School Program Cuts Down on Injuries, Resolves
Conflicts - September 2004
It's fun because it's very
athletic... |
Redlands Daily Facts
Bringing Peace to the Playground - August
2004
Strategies for avoiding playground conflicts and resolving
those that do arise... |
Goffstown News
Center Woods Elementary School - August
2004
The students will benefit the most, and it's worth the
money, the time and the effort... |
Terra Wellington's Balanced Living
Back to School - Recess and P.E. Critical
to Success - July 2004
New studies show daily fitness
equals better report cards and more-focused children... |
The Breeze-Courier
More Fun with Productive Play - October
2003
This makes recess more organized. There is less rough-housing
and hostility... |
Rogers Hometown News
Bellview places principles on Peaceful Playground
- September 2003
The Peaceful Playground offered a perfect
solution... |
The Breeze-Courier
North School PTA Organizing School into Peaceful
Playground - September 2003
Too many times the playground
becomes an area of intense competition... |
Mount Shasta News
Mount Shasta Playground Now Peaceful -
September 2003
The playground is now painted with a variety
of learning games... |
PTO Today Magazine
A Plan for Playground Games - April 2003
Children can handle their own problems if only we give them a
few skills... |
Today's Playground Magazine
The Lay of the Land - Summer 2002
Peaceful Playgrounds Program Helps Organize School Yards...
|
Paleastra Magazine Cover Story
A Perfect Playground - Fun for Everyone! -
Part 1 - Part 2 - Spring 2002
Children in every area are laughing and playing peacefully...
|
San Diego Union Tribune
Carlsbad school achieves peace on the playground
- May 2002
One of the most effective keys to diffusing playground
problems... |
American Association for Leisure and Recreation
Friend of Recreation Award - 2002
The Peaceful Playgrounds Program has been implemented in over
8,000 schools... |
South Elementary School Web
Parents Information - 2001
Conflicts
and rough play have been reduced to a minimum... |
Family Circle Magazine
From the Editor - April 1998
Play
Nice! One Playground that Works. |
National School Safety Center
School Safety Update - October 1998
Peaceful Playgrounds minimizes injuries, confrontations.
|
California School Boards Association
Golden Bell Award - 1999
Playground
safety program brought about an 82% drop in injuries... |
Pioneer Elementary
How to have Peaceful Playgrounds - 1999
It gives our students structured games to engage in and allows
them to learn skills that they would not otherwise have the opportunity
to learn... |
Press Enterprise
Murrieta School Honored - December 1999
Statewide award goes to Curran Elementary for it's Peaceful Playgrounds
program... |
California State University San Marcos
Eliminate Recess? Let's Skip It! - Document
Some educators see the "all work and no play" ethic as explainable...
|
The Californian
School Receives Safety Award - December
1999
This shows what we can accomplish when we all work together...
|
The Northwest Herald
Play Right
The difference is phenomenal.
It's like a miracle happened... |
School playgrounds often define the community's initial impressions of
a school. Let the community know about your "Peaceful Playgrounds" project
and it's benefits. A Press Release is a great
way to get attention.
on YouTube.
