Dear John,

I LOVE this time of year! The new school year comes with smiling faces and energetic, passionate, and playful Playworks coaches and other play leaders. And their enthusiasm is contagious.

I've been soaking up that positive energy in Playworks gatherings and trainings all across the country. Still I continue to hear stories of the challenges facing kids and their families today.

Did you see the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory about parental stress <[link removed]>? We're seeing more over-stressed parents, school staff, and students, leading to stalled learning and chronic absenteeism.

Now more than ever our communities need to support children and their families. Playworks is committed to working with partners like American Academy of Pediatrics <[link removed]>, Boys & Girls Clubs <[link removed]>, Attendance Works <[link removed]>, Camp Fire <[link removed]>, and more to support entire communities to decrease loneliness and improve mental well-being. This is not just about the kids in need but the educators, youth workers, AND parents who guide our kids into adulthood.

Because we all need JOY in our lives and what better way to experience joy than through play.

So I'm sending you all some of that Playworks energy! High fives and fist bumps to another great school year.

Play on,

Elizabeth Cushing
CEO
Playworks
PLAYWORKS FOR. . .
KIDS
Kids of All Abilities at Play
A fifth grader with Brittle Bone Disease went outside every day at recess but he never got to participate before his school got support from Playworks trainer Lynn.

Soon Lynn suggested modifications to games that enabled this student to be included. “When I went back to the school a few weeks later, I got to see that student playing,” said Lynn. “He had that entire experience transformed. We were able to build enough confidence and safeguards where we could build a space where all kids can play.”

Support Kids of Varying Abilities in Your Play Spaces <[link removed]>.
SCHOOLS
The Power of Norms
Each year our school communities work together—students and adults—to establish the norms of play and learning. 

Once these norms are establish and understood, they create an environment of predictability and security where kids and adults can relax and enjoy being together. Learn more about how school norms <[link removed]> can establish a fun and stable school community and ideas create playful norms in your schools.
COMMUNITIES
Hasbro Creates Active Indoor Recess Kits for Schools
In a new partnership with Playworks, Hasbro has cobranded and packed more than 3,600 donated games into new Active Indoor Recess Kits to supports high-need schools in providing active play during indoor recess at schools.

“At Hasbro, we are deeply committed to the transformative power of play and strive to ensure every child has
access to its benefits,” said Kevin Colman, Senior Director of Global Philanthropy and Social Impact at Hasbro. “Together, we [Playworks and Hasbro] are creating safe, engaging environments where children can thrive, laying the groundwork for a brighter, more playful future.”
OUR SHARED FUTURE
Spark More Learning Today
Playworks is proud to announce our brand new online learning platform SparkPlay <[link removed]>.

SparkPlay is a 12-month rolling subscription-based, online resource to support the continuous learning of safe and healthy play for school and youth development staff. It provides on-demand access to a database of games, professional guidance, and weekly email touch points showcasing curated games, activities, and helpful tips.


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