By Rebecca Danvers

The Playworks Team Up program has been a great addition to the Brown School over the last several months.

On a recent visit to the school during recess, students and staff were active and engaged in a variety of games using the Playworks Team Up model. First grade students were playing “Everyone’s It Tag” along with their teachers, a game they learned during Class Game Time with their Playworks Site Coordinator, Caroline Barclay.

Kids were “rocking it out” if they tagged each other at the same time or if there was a question of who was tagged first. Rock, paper, scissors is a simple yet effective conflict resolution technique encouraged by Playworks not only out at recess, but throughout the school day.

During second grade recess, Michelle Perry, a lunch aide at the Brown School, led a group of students in a game of “Ninja Master”. Ninja Master is a great small space game that can be transferred to indoor space easily. Michelle and her colleagues Mary Cerrato and Grace Baron, have all been attending Class Game Time while Playworks is at the Brown, learning the necessary skills and techniques so they can continue to support the program. Melissa Greco, Brown School Counselor Educator, has also been supporting the program by coordinating the Junior Coach’s schedule and participation during recess with the younger Brown School students.

Working with the Playworks Site Coordinator, Brown School students and staff members are strengthening their school community through the Playworks Team Up model, working together to develop a sustainable program by integrating the core values of Playworks into the school culture.

Playworks is one of several initiatives supported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Physical Education Program (PEP) grant.

Learn more about Somerville PEP and ways in which you and your family can stay healthy and active year-round at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/pep.