Peaceful Playgrounds Example Press Release

Wouldn't it be wonderful to look out over a playground where children were distributed evenly, laughing and playing peacefully, and supervisors were observing this phenomenon without raising their voices, their whistles, or their blood pressures? It's almost more than one can imagine. Or is it?

That was exactly the situation at ___________ Elementary School where students were enjoying a Peaceful Playgrounds Celebration marking the completion of a joint project between the school and Parent Teachers Association officials (Eagle Scout, Leadership Team etc.) The Peaceful Play�grounds Project began ___________ and was created to put an end to tattling or play�ground conflicts that takes the fun out of games.

According to Principal ___________ , "The playground is an essential part of any school and every community. Children spend many hours of their school experience occupying themselves with what the playground has to offer. In fact, the whole neighbor�hood enjoys both its appearance and its usages. In short, school playgrounds often define the community's initial impressions of a school. This joint project was designed to serve both the school and the community".

Officials point out that, beyond the classroom, the climate of the school as a whole is set by what happens on the playground. Unresolved playground conflicts soon spill over into the classroom.

A closer look at ___________ newly designed Peaceful Playground reveals concentric circles, rectangles, and various colored shapes, carefully spaced and painted on the blacktop. In addition to traditional games like hopscotch and four square, imagine an alphabet grid, a number grid, and a skipping track.

Bigger kids are involved in a variety of team sports like around-the-world and volley tennis as well as back-up and basketball. Evenly spaced groups of kids are cooperatively utilizing the blacktop area, grassy fields, and sandbox enclosures. "All made possible by the implementation of the Peaceful Playgrounds Program," according to PTA President ___________ . The success of the Peaceful Playgrounds Program depends of five key principles:

1) Marking the playground with age appropriate games, 2) Teaching students a consistent set of rules, 3) Teaching students skills to solve conflicts, 4) Providing adequate equipment; and 5) Consistent expectations.

To learn more about the program visit ___________ Elementary School or contact Peaceful Playgrounds author and designer, Melinda Bossenmeyer, Ed.D., 1-877-444-9888 or visit the Peaceful Playgrounds Website at www.peacefulplaygrounds.com