- El Paso Independent School District
- Homepage
Six EPISD schools establish Positive Playgrounds
Social emotional learning is making its way outside of the classroom, with the installation of Positive Playgrounds at six EPISD campuses.
EPISD Health, Wellness and PE, in partnership with Student and Family Empowerment, designed the program to encourage cooperation and positive play between students during recess. The program, which was funded by Region 19, is being implemented at Lee, Fannin, Guerrero, White, Rusk and Stanton elementary schools.
“Positive playgrounds go hand-in-hand with our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) goals, extending those core values outside the classroom,” said Student and Family Empowerment coordinator Sandra Montes-Uranga. “We want students to be responsible, respectful and safe on the playground. The overall goal is that students become independent in their decision-making.”
The colorful layout features areas for four square, hopscotch, jump rope and other fun games. The playground also includes solution circles, which encourage students to resolve conflict with paper, rock, scissors or other games.
The paint and stencils used to design the playgrounds was paid through the School Climate Transformation Grant from Region 19.
“We want to reduce discipline referrals during recess and increase physical activity levels,” said Javier Carrasco, Health, Wellness and PE coordinator. “Studies show that creating an environment like this results in a more supportive playground and less bullying. We have had encouraging feedback so far.”
Lee Elementary School celebrated their positive playground with a ribbon cutting on Oct. 31. Students decked out in their Halloween best cheered for their new play area.
“It is an opportunity for our students not only to be physically active in our playground, but also we are helping students,” principal Terry Montes said. “We are giving them the skills they need to be able to play together and solve conflict with minimal adult interaction.”
Fourth-grader Giovany Almida is looking forward to playing on the new playground with his friends.
“I am excited to try it out,” he said. “I like playing four square the most. I think it’s cool there are areas to solve problems between kids. It’s a fair way to get things figured out.”
For more information on Positive Playgrounds, check out this video.
Lee is one of six EPISD schools who received a grant to install Positive Playgrounds. The playgrounds bring Social and Emotional Learning outside of the classroom and onto the rec fields.
Video Story by Raymond Jackson/EPISD