BVSD conducted summer recess training to address playground bullying and create more inclusive and safe play

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In early August, before the school year started, the leadership and recess teams at 16 Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) elementary schools opted-in to participate in a comprehensive two-day Recess Implementation training provided by Playworks.

The goal of the Playworks training is to create playgrounds where safe and healthy play is accessible for everyone. The fun and interactive training provided the schools with an introduction to high-functioning recess, active playground games that teach social and emotional skills to all grade levels, positive group management techniques, recess systems, and successful recess indicators. It also provided time and support for schools to create new recess systems based on their learning and needs. 

While a select few other elementary schools had worked with Playworks in different ways previously, this summer was the first time the Playworks training was offered to elementary and PK-8 schools on a district level. 

Student survey data identified a need
BVSD Bullying Prevention Specialist, Tracie Altomar shared that the impetus data provided in the proposal for the grant to offer the training district-side came from the Elementary Student Bullying Survey results from the spring 2023.

Survey participants stated that 59.4% of BVSD students identified the playground as the area where they have been bullied or have seen bullying take place. And BVSD’s Vizlab Behavior Workbook data showed that 707 of the behavior events that have taken place between August 2023 and April 2024 were located on the playground.

“The general comments from the recess supervision staff was that this was the first time they had received support in how to supervise recess and that they felt more prepared for that part of their job which had felt unmanageable before,” said Altomare. “Many of the administrators I spoke with said it was the best professional development they had ever participated in.”

Reduction in recess conflicts
Principal, Emerald Elementary School, Samara Williams cites the Playworks training as being extremely valuable for her school’s entire recess team. 

“One of the things that was the most positive that we learned was having zones for different types of activities, this has helped so much,” said Williams. “Now the field ball games are no longer running through the kids that want to chill and chat. It was such a gift to me as a principal to have two days to really work on recess and make it be positive, fun, and organized.”

Williams said the field games that Emerald Elementary staff learned are much more inclusive of all kids and are fast, fun and still competitive, but in a “high five”, “good game”, kind of manner.”

“We also now have a recess bulletin board, recess co-coordinators, and regular meetings of the people who run recess thanks to the BVSD bullying prevention grant,” said Williams. “Overall, this school year, recess conflicts are almost nonexistent.”

Assistant Principal at Aspen Creek PK-8, Amanda Jones, said of the training, "Attending the Playworks training with our phenomenal paraeducator team was such a wonderful experience that allowed for building strong relationships and cross collaboration between many schools in the district around how to best support our students during recess. So many powerful ideas were shared and we came back to our building empowered to create the best possible recess opportunities for our students."

Aspen Creek PK-8’s paraeducator team that participated in the training provided professional development to its teachers to support implementation of Playworks at all recesses. Each day their paraeducators review recess expectations and celebrate students' great choices through a quick check-in before recess begins.

Their students also learn one new cooperative game at the beginning of each week facilitated by the para team and communicate the games with families in their weekly school newsletter. 

“We are already seeing the impact that intentionality of meaningful play is having on our students in regard to inclusivity and social emotional development,” said Jones. “I truly believe that giving our students opportunities for cooperative play and problem solving will support them not just at recess, but beyond."

Supporting successful implementation
Each school will receive two consultative visits this school year from Playworks to further support the successful implementation of their new systems. The schools also received a recess equipment kit to help them integrate new inclusive games and activities on their playground.

The Playworks training was paid for by the Bullying Prevention and Education Grant that BVSD received from the Colorado Department of Education. The focus of our work for the grant is to prevent bullying by creating safer, more respectful, and inclusive environments in all of our schools.

BVSD is planning on offering the Playworks training again this school year for schools that were unable to attend in August. Participating schools in this summer’s training included:

• Aspen Creek
• Birch
• Columbine
• Creekside
• Crest View
• Eisenhower
• Emerald
• Fireside
• Foothill
• Heatherwood
• Kohl
• Monarch PK8
• Nederland ES
• Ryan
• Uni Hill
• Whittier