Elementary physical education staff, paraprofessionals, school adjustment counselors and principals met for two all-day training sessions on January 23 & 24, 2012 to learn Playworks' methods to increase opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play in schools. The training is part of an effort to make recess a positive experience for children who attend Fall River Schools. Playworks has been contracted to send trained "coaches" to help to transform recess and play into a positive experience that prepares students for learning throughout the school day. The coaches will become part of the school community over the remainder of the school year to provide organized play and physical activity at most of the Fall River schools. The training session involved staff at all levels in order to ensure that the program is fully supported. Click here for a brief   video of the session. Click here for a recent meeting with physical education teachers. For more information about school wellness, contact Marcia Picard at 774-319-0107.

(Top row) Playworks Trainer Deb Sugerman, Ph.D. instructs staff, including one of the paraprofessional who will supervise a playground and Fonseca School Vice-Principal Violet Lemar in how to involve students in a game of four square. (Row two) Tansey School Teaching Assistant Diane Coriaty watches as Fonseca School Physical Education teacher Don Frank recovers the ball while Viveiros vice-principal Kyle Grandfield and phys ed teachers Nancy Paulhus,  Jennifer Larkin and Mike Kelly enjoy the action. (Row three, left) Dr. Sugarman takes questions from the teachers during the discussion. (Row three, right) Viveiros school adjustment counselor Lisa Levie high-fives her teammates after a game in the same manner that students will be encouraged to do. (Bottom row, left) Dr. Sugarman makes a point as phys ed teachers Matt Baluch, Jesse Sampson, and Diane Coriaty, and Letourneau school adjustment counselor Marie Chase listen. (Bottom row, right) Letourneau phys ed  teacher Carol Long listens as Ms. Lemar makes a point.