SUNNYSIDE SCOOP OCTOBER, 2018 Principal Points October 2018 The Importance of Play Recently the StarTribune newspaper ran an article from the American Academy of Pediatrics focusing on a clinical report regarding the importance of play for children. Their study shows a healthy dose of play can enhance a child’s creativity, critical thinking, and resilience. While many of us as parents often work hard to ensure our students have the newest technology, we also need to make sure kids have time to run, play, and imagine. At Sunnyside we’ve taken a proactive approach to play. While many schools around the nation have reduced the amount of time students have for recess, we encourage teachers to have a second recess with their students. Mounds View Schools have also partnered this year with Playworks, an organization that helps improve a positive school culture through safe and healthy play at recess. Sunnyside is committed to making recess a fun and inclusive place for every students in our community to play every day. This year we have a Playworks site coordinator at our school for one week each month, leading, supporting, and training our recess team - including a lead recess “coach” - to create a safe, inclusive playground for all students. Our staff will learn the latest techniques used to positively transform our school environment from the playground to the classroom. At Sunnyside we work hard to ensure students are developing a strong social emotional background. What happens at recess matters throughout the day, and we are working hard to make sure students have the opportunity for safe and healthy play. Playworks helps reduce bullying, provide more time for classroom teaching, and increases physical activity for our students. It is our goal to make sure every student is included regardless of athletic ability, academic skills, or background.
Partnering together with you, Dr. Nathan Flansburg Principal