Attention: Fun Recess Ahead!

Anne Bond-Gentry, Student Services Coordinator, Lynchburg City Schools

Leslie Hoglund, Live Healthy Lynchburg!

Mary Dunne Stewart, Executive Director, Greater Richmond Fit4Kids

Attention: Fun Recess Ahead!About the Presenting OrganizationsLive Healthy Lynchburg is a regional initiative to promote healthy eating and active living in all sectors: schools, workplaces, healthcare facilities, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, and the community at large.Lynchburg City Schools is an educational community of diverse individuals who are developing their intellectual, artistic, and physical talents to the highest degree.Fit4Kids is a non-profit working to improve childrens health through physical activity and healthy eating; Founded in 2010 to implement 3 school-based programs and lead a regional coalition.

Recent Findings about Recess The State of PlayRWJF released The State of Play Gallup poll of nearly 2,000 principalsKey FindingsRecess has a positive impact on achievement and learningRecess benefits child development in important, non-academic ways Recess remains a precious commodity at most schools. Despite its links to achievement, many schools cut recess to meet testing requirements.

Key findings:Recess has a positive impact on achievement and learning.More than 8 in 10 principals report that recess has a positive impact on academic achievement.2/3rds of principals report that students listen better after recess and are more focused in class.Recess benefits child development in important, non-academic ways An overwhelming majority of principals (96%) conclude that recess has a positive impact on social development.An overwhelming majority (97%) of principals believe that recess has a positive impact on general well-beingRecess remains a precious commodity at most schools. Despite its links to achievement, many schools cut recess to meet testing requirements.Half of principals report that students receive between 16-30 minutes of recess per day.One in five principals indicate that annual yearly progress (AYP) testing requirements have led to a decrease in recess minutes at their school.

3Recent Findings about Recess The State of PlayKey findings continuedDespite the connection between recess and good student behavior, schools continue to take recess away as a punishment for bad behavior.Recess is the time of day when schools face the biggest behavior management challenges.Schools are looking for help with recess.

4. Despite the connection between recess and good student behavior, schools continue to take recess away as a punishment for bad behavior.A solid majority (77%) of principals report taking recess away as a punishment.5. Recess is the time of day when schools face the biggest behavior management challenges.Principals report that the majority of discipline-related problems occur outside of class time (87%) with the majority of those accurring during recess or lunch (89%)6. Schools are looking for help with recessWhen asked what would improve recess at their schools, they prioritized an increase in the number of staff to monitor recess, better equipment, and playground management training, in that order.4Recent Findings about Recess The State of PlayRecommendationsIts time for education policymakers at all levels to take play seriouslySchools should enhance recess to improve learning and school climateThe single best way to improve recess is to improve the way it is staffed.The Signs that Recess Needed Improvement - RichmondTeacher frustration - "I'm at the end of my rope. It doesn't seem to matter how many conversations we have with them about friendship and being a team player, all they want to do is fight. I've had to cut recess short every day this week to write office referrals. It's exhausting. I don't know what else to do. Bellwood Third Grade TeacherOffice referralsClinic visits

The Signs that Recess Needed Improvement - LynchburgTeacher Assistants manage recess in elementary schools for Lynchburg City.Discipline and activity level issues were of concern to the Teacher Assistants. Principals were concerned that Teacher Assistants were not as actively involved with recess as they could be.Students often recycled only one or two games repeatedly.

Overview of the Playworks ModelNational non-profit working transforming recess for more than 16 years.2011/12 school year, Playworks has full time coaches in 360 schools in 22 citiesRecess Coaches cultivate an inclusive environment that encourages all children to participate regardless of athletic ability, weight, or disabilityCoaches participate in recess every day by leading play activities that foster physical, social, and emotional development of the children

Overview of the Playworks ModelMathematica/Stanford study found that Playworks schools have less bullying and exclusionary behavior, transitions from recess are easier, better behavior and attention in class, and safer more inclusive play.

Playworks also offers professional training to adults who work with youth on playgrounds that is the model that Lynchburg and Fit4Kids have adopted.

How we brought Recess Coaching to the Richmond regionOur focus: Fit4Kids was looking for ways to incorporate physical activity into the school day while not detracting from standards and academicsInitiative led by non-profit working with two school divisionsRaise funds private foundation and corporate supportFind partner schools that are ready to take on new recess model need principal and teacher support10How we brought Recess Coaching to LynchburgCDC ACHIEVE Grant Community Health Needs Assessment (Policy and Environment)Lynchburg City Schools worked with the Lynchburg Health Department/Live Healthy Lynchburg! to write a grant.Centra Foundation, the local hospital foundation, facilitated the grant.Evaluated policy and environment on daily recess using a scoring rubric (scale of 1-5):

Policy 1. Not identified as a problem, 2. Problem Identified/Gaining Agenda Status, 3. Policy formulation and adoption, 4. Policy implementation, 5. Policy enforcement and evaluation.

Environment 1. Elements not in place, 2. Few elements in place, 3. Some elements are in place, 4. Most elements are in place, 5. All elements are in place.

Policy on Daily Recess states, All elementary school students will have at least 20 minutes a day of supervised recess, 10 minutes may be structured play, preferably outdoors, during which schools should encourage moderate to vigorous physical activity, through the provision of space and equipment.

This policy, along with other physical activity policies, was evaluated through 5 of indicators. Both Year 1 and Year 2 assessments were conducted prior to the implementation of Recess Coaching/Playworks Training.

Ban using or withholding physical activity as a punishment? (P-1, E-1) no change in Year 2Require that students are physically active during the majority of time in PE and Recess? (P-5, E-3) no change in Year 2Provide access to a broad range of competitive and noncompetitive physical activities that help to develop the skills needed to participate in lifetime physical activities? (P-2, E-2) improved to E-3 in environment in Year 2Implement a walk or bike to school initiative? (P-1, E-1) improved to E-2 in Year 2Ensure the availability of proper equipment and facilities (including playground equipment, physical activity equipment, and athletic or fitness facilities) that meet safety standards? (P-5, E-4) no change in Year 2

While scores have been below the 60% asset benchmark, we are moving closer. Year 2, P-56% and E-52%. A revised wellness policy goes to the School Board for approval on April 9, 2013. As a result of this, the proposed policy reads, All elementary school students will have at least 25 minutes a day of supervised activity time, 10 minutes may be structured play, preferably outdoors, during which schools should encourage moderate to vigorous physical activity, through the provision of space and equipment. Removal or restriction from activity time as a consequence should not be allowed.11Implementation in RichmondFit4Kids partners with three Title I schools and employs three part time recess coaches.Fit4Kids engaged Playworks for two full days of training in late August with follow up site visits in October. Coaches lead children in fun, physically active play every day.Coaches working to engage teachers to learn the games and lead stations.Coaches meet with each other and Fit4Kids staff twice per month to share experiences and problem-solveImplementation in LynchburgLynchburg City Schools provided two training groups through PlayWorks. First was the Power of Play Workshop for all elementary school principals. Recess Implementation Training for Teacher Assistants representing all 11 elementary schools was the second training.PlayWorks staff visited all 11 elementary schools and provided them with a Recess Report card post-training that evaluated implementation of the program.Evaluation - RichmondMeasured steps and activity time using pedometers on a random sample of students in every grade at our partner schools before implementation. Will repeat measurement in the Spring.Teacher and Principal feedback through surveys Sample results from one schoolAbout of the teachers and administrators surveyed said that most kids were INACTIVE at recess before the Recess Coaching program began.The same proportion said that MORE than 75% of kids are now ACTIVE at recess since the Recess Coaching program has been in effect. Anecdotal feedback from principals that office referrals and clinic visits resulting from recess have dramatically decreased

Evaluation - RichmondBeforeAfterThe kids just didn't know how to 'play', some fighting and arguing while playing games.Now, recess seems to be more active, engaging, and interesting to boys and girls.I felt like a referee!I find some students more willing to try things that they wouldn't normally try.Kids who love to play sports are active. Sometimes too rough and competitive. Kids standing around or not exerting themselves.There is a big difference. The students are looking forward to having recess with the recess coach. It is more structured. I am glad the program is at [our school].Kids not using equipment correctly. Kids not getting along. Kids complaining of being bored.Some students who are not leaders have been game leaders! Awesome!Half the class was actively engaged in a game. The other half stood around and talked or gossiped.We LOVE IT. Everyone is engaged and having fun participating.Too many students and not enough activities.Arguments have decreased dramatically due to this program.Evaluation - LynchburgStaff who participated were extremely excited with the training they received. The number of referrals for behavior issues during recess saw a dramatic drop immediately upon implementation of the program.Students went home excited about and talking to their parents regarding the new games they were learning on the playground.The number of students participating in group play and being physically active during recess increased.Teacher Assistants took time to map out recess activities.

Year 3 assessment have been conducted and an update could be available by WOTS conference.16Challenges - RichmondTeacher engagementScheduling testing, field trips, other programs recess is the first to get cutWeather and indoor recessSustainabilityChallenges - LynchburgAfter the success of the original training sessions, there was a strong desire for Rainy Day Recess/Youth Leadership Training from PlayWorks. Scheduling continuing education from PlayWorks for our Teacher Assistants is challenging due to the constraints of their contracts.Funding may be a challenge.18Next Steps - RichmondInitial sustainability plan was to spend one year on-site at a school, engage and train teachers, and move to a new site the next year Not sure this is sustainableLikely going to spend a second year at partner schools, but strengthen MOU, and engage more teachers and principals in the trainingTesting parent volunteer program at one partner schoolBundle Recess Coaching program with other Fit4Kids wellness programmingNext Steps - LynchburgContinuing to promote the use of PlayWorks training in recess. Students will pass along the skills they have learned for recess to classes that come behind them.Recess becomes easier to manage for adults who supervise.Questions?For more information:Anne Bond-Gentry, Lynchburg City Schoolsbondgentrya@lcsedu.net

Leslie Hoglund, Live Healthy Lynchburg!leslie.hoglund@vdh.virginia.gov

Mary Dunne Stewart, Fit4Kidsmary@grfit4kids.org