J.E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School is looking to incorporate Playworks into recess time to support and cultivate play, center equality, continue learning and collaborate with the community.  Like all elementary students, Cosgriff Tigers missed out on quality socialization due to time away from school and peers during Covid as they were removed from each other socially, physically and mentally.  As students have been brought back together in the classroom and on the playground, Cosgriff has seen an increase in misunderstandings, conflict, and recess referrals. Playworks is able to teach students the “Power of Play” through conflict resolution and leadership skills.   

Playworks also provides a Jr. Coach program which encourages teams of students to work together and incorporate fair play and positive conflict resolution. 5th grade students can apply to their school administration to be a Jr. Coach at recess. Once chosen, Jr. Coaches are trained and equipped with skills and lessons to appropriately implement the mission of Playworks to their classmates during recess. 

Thanks to a generous donation from Mark and Kathy Miller we were able to begin our Playworks / Cosgriff partnership which includes: faculty professional development and a recess assessment and a personal coach who will work with faculty and students throughout the entire school year.

The mission of J.E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School is to guide our students to become respectful, responsible, and productive citizens through quality academic instruction that is grounded in Catholic teachings and tradition. 
Playworks will help Cosgriff students become more respectful, responsible and productive by teaching skills related to conflict resolution, leadership and academic success.

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Playworks:

Playworks is an Oakland-based national nonprofit that supports learning and physical health by providing safe and inclusive play to low-income students in urban schools. Playworks works with schools to design curriculum and activities that offer play opportunities during recess, lunch and after school programs

Conflict Resolution

Recess doesn’t have to be chaotic. At a better recess, kids acquire tools to work out disagreements and differences.

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Leadership Skills

When they’re playing amongst their peers, kids have a valuable opportunity to develop a sense of fairness, confidence, and communication.

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Academic Success

Kids who are engaged during recess are more likely to participate in class, which means better attendance and better grades.