1 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:11,400 Speaker 1: From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England 2 00:00:11,440 --> 00:00:13,960 Speaker 1: Weekend where each and every week right here we come 3 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:16,760 Speaker 1: together we talk about all the topics important to you 4 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:19,079 Speaker 1: and the place where you live. It is great to 5 00:00:19,079 --> 00:00:21,759 Speaker 1: have you back with us this week. I'm Nicole Davis. 6 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:24,759 Speaker 1: For kids in school learning to read and write, solve equations, 7 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:27,840 Speaker 1: speak in other language, all that, it's very important, but 8 00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:30,480 Speaker 1: it's also critical for them to stretch their legs and 9 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:32,800 Speaker 1: run around and just be a kid for a bit. 10 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:34,879 Speaker 1: But when you only have a few minutes out on 11 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:38,320 Speaker 1: the playground, it can quickly collapse into stress and fights, 12 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:41,280 Speaker 1: games that leave people out. None of that is fun. 13 00:00:41,320 --> 00:00:44,480 Speaker 1: We don't want that. Playworks is working in schools around 14 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:47,240 Speaker 1: New England to try to change that. They help staff 15 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 1: strapped schools manage recess to make sure kids get more 16 00:00:50,120 --> 00:00:53,560 Speaker 1: physical activity in They learn how to peacefully resolve conflicts 17 00:00:53,720 --> 00:00:56,480 Speaker 1: and overall make the playground a safer, happier place to be. 18 00:00:57,040 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 1: Let's talk about why their work matters. Max Fripp is 19 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 1: New England Executive director for Playworks. Max, thanks for the time, 20 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:05,679 Speaker 1: and let's learn a bit more about what you all 21 00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:06,280 Speaker 1: do so. 22 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 2: Playworks is a national nonprofit and we are unique in 23 00:01:09,840 --> 00:01:13,000 Speaker 2: that we really focus on recess, and what we've proven 24 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 2: over thirty years now being in operation is that recess, 25 00:01:18,319 --> 00:01:21,120 Speaker 2: while often the most chaotic and disruptive time of the 26 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:25,320 Speaker 2: school day, when done well, has these amazing ripple effects 27 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:29,720 Speaker 2: in kids' health, kids happiness, school culture, teaching and learning, 28 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:34,480 Speaker 2: and all of our programs and products are focused on recess. 29 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:38,640 Speaker 2: We started in Oakland, California, like I said, about thirty 30 00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:42,240 Speaker 2: years ago, and our president founder, Jill Violet, who's a 31 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:46,400 Speaker 2: really well known and respected social entrepreneur at the time, 32 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:50,560 Speaker 2: was actually doing art programming in schools in Berkeley, California. 33 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 2: And she's waiting to talk to the principal and the 34 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:56,840 Speaker 2: principal comes in and oftentimes as elementary school principles are 35 00:01:56,840 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 2: as flustered, has a line of kids behind her was 36 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:03,559 Speaker 2: clearly freaking out, and she looked at Jill and says, 37 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:06,040 Speaker 2: can't you help me? And Jill's like, yeah, we're doing 38 00:02:06,040 --> 00:02:08,680 Speaker 2: our artists in residency program and we're going to do 39 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:10,440 Speaker 2: an art show. And the principal said, no, no, no, I 40 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:13,400 Speaker 2: need help with the recess. And turns out that these 41 00:02:13,520 --> 00:02:15,720 Speaker 2: kids that were behind her were getting into fights and 42 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:19,240 Speaker 2: doing all sorts of naughty things at recess and this 43 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:22,360 Speaker 2: principal's day was overcome by it. And we hear that 44 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:25,520 Speaker 2: story all the time from schools for US across New 45 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:31,600 Speaker 2: England that recesses this major disruptor. And Jill thought back 46 00:02:31,600 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 2: to growing up in a day where she had an 47 00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:37,800 Speaker 2: amazing arcs and rec guy named Clarence who made it 48 00:02:37,840 --> 00:02:40,720 Speaker 2: possible for Jill to be involved in the games and 49 00:02:40,760 --> 00:02:44,160 Speaker 2: play football and basketball with all the kids. And she said, 50 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:45,799 Speaker 2: you know what, I can make it possible for every 51 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:48,200 Speaker 2: kid have a clearance. So Jill literally just started showing 52 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:51,520 Speaker 2: up at these schools and being a caring, fun adult, 53 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:54,799 Speaker 2: making play and recess a better time of the school day. 54 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 2: Long story short, We're now a national nonprofit. We are 55 00:02:59,320 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 2: celebrating our almost or twentieth year in New England. Started 56 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:07,200 Speaker 2: in six schools in Boston and now serve over one 57 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:09,959 Speaker 2: hundred schools across New England every day. 58 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:13,680 Speaker 1: That's incredible. And let's talk then about what exactly you're doing, 59 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:16,440 Speaker 1: what the clearances so to speak, are doing in our 60 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:20,320 Speaker 1: schools here in New England. When recess time happens and 61 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:22,800 Speaker 1: it can be several times during the day for different grades, 62 00:03:22,840 --> 00:03:27,040 Speaker 1: and whatnot. What are your people doing at the playground 63 00:03:27,240 --> 00:03:28,560 Speaker 1: inside and otherwise. 64 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, so our signature program, what we've done from the 65 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:34,960 Speaker 2: beginning is called our Coach program. Okay, we place one 66 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:38,480 Speaker 2: full time really well trained AmeriCorps member, so these are 67 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 2: people serving in national service and they're in the school 68 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 2: Monday through Friday full day. We do a classroom component 69 00:03:46,760 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 2: on a rotating basis called class game Time, where we 70 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 2: use play and kinesthetic learning to teach new games, teach 71 00:03:54,360 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 2: social emotional skills, leadership skills, so that kids are learning 72 00:03:58,960 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 2: games that can then go to the recess shard. One 73 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:04,760 Speaker 2: of the problems Nicole's we have a generation of young 74 00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:07,920 Speaker 2: people and it's not their fault who don't engage in 75 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:11,360 Speaker 2: organic play like I used to. So kids aren't going 76 00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:14,200 Speaker 2: into the neighborhoods playing hide and seek or kick the 77 00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 2: can or capture the flag. So as a result, recess 78 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:19,480 Speaker 2: are fighting about like, oh, how do you even get 79 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:21,880 Speaker 2: the game going? So we teach it in small groups 80 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:25,720 Speaker 2: and then literally we are working every recess every day, 81 00:04:25,880 --> 00:04:29,480 Speaker 2: So kindergarten through fifth grade, we were out there and 82 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:33,000 Speaker 2: we'd like to call it organized chaos. If you came 83 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:35,479 Speaker 2: out you should see recess as you know it. But 84 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:37,560 Speaker 2: what we're doing on the back end are some very 85 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:42,120 Speaker 2: specific things to make sure that that recess experience is amazing. 86 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:47,000 Speaker 2: The sad reality is in Massachusetts kids are lucky if 87 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 2: they get about twenty minutes of recess a day. 88 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:49,600 Speaker 1: Wow. 89 00:04:49,920 --> 00:04:52,279 Speaker 2: Some schools that are up to thirty, and we love that. 90 00:04:52,839 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 2: Many of our schools are maybe fifteen. 91 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:56,640 Speaker 1: That's all the whole day. 92 00:04:56,680 --> 00:04:58,719 Speaker 2: That is all now, yes, the whole day. Now. We 93 00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:01,719 Speaker 2: also know we have a hell epidemic facing young people. 94 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:05,200 Speaker 2: Kids are supposed to get sixteen minutes of physical activity 95 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:07,400 Speaker 2: a day, so when you do the math, it's not 96 00:05:07,480 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 2: adding up right. So if we are lucky to get 97 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:13,200 Speaker 2: twenty in the school, we want every kid to be 98 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:16,160 Speaker 2: actively playing. So that's that's kind of our big goal. 99 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:20,159 Speaker 2: We know that about ninety seven percent of our kids 100 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:22,960 Speaker 2: are physically active at recess and a few things that 101 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:27,599 Speaker 2: happen at recess that lead to that increase in physical activity. 102 00:05:28,120 --> 00:05:30,839 Speaker 2: One is we have multiple game stations set up so 103 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:33,800 Speaker 2: kids have choice over what they get to play, and 104 00:05:33,839 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 2: then there's clear boundaries. So what you don't want at 105 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:40,719 Speaker 2: recesses the kickball game being interrupted by kids with jump 106 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 2: ropes and hula hoops. You can imagine that becomes a 107 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:47,600 Speaker 2: problem pretty quickly. Kids know what the games are, they 108 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:49,479 Speaker 2: know where to play them, and they know how to 109 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:52,840 Speaker 2: play them. The other thing that would be different in 110 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 2: our schools is we teach rock paper scissors as they 111 00:05:55,800 --> 00:06:00,320 Speaker 2: go to conference resolution strategy and it works. It'll be 112 00:06:00,320 --> 00:06:02,600 Speaker 2: well time and time and time again. So instead of 113 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:06,479 Speaker 2: Max and Nicole fighting about who was safer out, we 114 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:09,320 Speaker 2: use rock paper scissors, We give a high five, the 115 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:12,600 Speaker 2: game goes on. Love it. Our games are rotational game, 116 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:14,400 Speaker 2: so kids are in and out quickly, but when they 117 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:16,160 Speaker 2: get out, they know they can get in. So if 118 00:06:16,160 --> 00:06:19,080 Speaker 2: it's a tag game, for example, there's no tag, you're 119 00:06:19,120 --> 00:06:20,520 Speaker 2: out and then you sit for the rest of the 120 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:22,280 Speaker 2: ten minutes because they don't have time for that. So 121 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:25,360 Speaker 2: we do a few things that lead to this environment 122 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:29,360 Speaker 2: where every kid gets to play, they move their bodies, 123 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:33,360 Speaker 2: they get their breath and their body regulation down, and 124 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:35,680 Speaker 2: then they go back to the classroom quickly, focused and 125 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:38,520 Speaker 2: ready to learn. And the way we do that is 126 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:41,480 Speaker 2: we have an opening and closing ceremony, and so reesss 127 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:44,560 Speaker 2: starts with an opening ceremony at the end of recess. 128 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 2: Our coach blows the whistle, Kids put peace signs up 129 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:50,360 Speaker 2: in the air, they say peace, They squat down on earth, 130 00:06:51,160 --> 00:06:54,160 Speaker 2: take a breath. All right, go have a great day, everybody. 131 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:56,719 Speaker 2: And that's what recess is looking like. 132 00:06:56,800 --> 00:06:59,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, a little grounding going on there at the end. 133 00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:01,680 Speaker 1: I like that little segue to get back into the 134 00:07:01,760 --> 00:07:04,039 Speaker 1: serious learning. I actually really like that. 135 00:07:04,160 --> 00:07:05,280 Speaker 2: Yeah. 136 00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:08,239 Speaker 1: So what happens then when you have a day where 137 00:07:08,279 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 1: it's either snowing or it's raining. Indoor recess is a 138 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:14,400 Speaker 1: thing too, So how do you translate the work you're 139 00:07:14,440 --> 00:07:15,880 Speaker 1: doing outside inside. 140 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:18,600 Speaker 2: It's a funny story because when we launched in Boston, 141 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:21,600 Speaker 2: we were the first expansion site outside of sunny California, 142 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:24,960 Speaker 2: and come October it was cold and rainy, and we said, oh, 143 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:29,200 Speaker 2: what do we do. We've gotten really creative at saying 144 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:32,840 Speaker 2: how do we make sure that even on cold, rainy, 145 00:07:32,880 --> 00:07:36,680 Speaker 2: snowy days, kids are moving. So a few things we've 146 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:39,840 Speaker 2: seen work really well that any school can do. One 147 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:43,320 Speaker 2: is we take empty hallways. We tape four square courts, 148 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 2: a classic game. We tape a wall ball court. So 149 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:49,840 Speaker 2: we've taken some games that are safe enough to play inside, 150 00:07:50,200 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 2: and we'll take over an empty hallway or a multipurpose room. 151 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:57,280 Speaker 2: If that's not an option, we then work with the 152 00:07:57,320 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 2: teachers to say, hey, here are five games we can 153 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:02,240 Speaker 2: do right in your classroom to get kids moving, because 154 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 2: we know we need to get those wiggles out for kids. 155 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:09,440 Speaker 2: So we've adapted to our environments and we have recess 156 00:08:09,480 --> 00:08:12,040 Speaker 2: every day regardless, and sometimes it's indoor recess. 157 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:14,320 Speaker 1: How did you deal with the height of the COVID 158 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:18,040 Speaker 1: pandemic when kids were in in their homes, they weren't 159 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:21,880 Speaker 1: getting outside, and I'm sure everything was digital. How did 160 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:25,520 Speaker 1: you all, I guess work within that and has any 161 00:08:25,560 --> 00:08:27,760 Speaker 1: of that transferred over into what you're doing now? 162 00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:33,319 Speaker 2: Yeah, as you know. As I know, I'm a dad 163 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:36,400 Speaker 2: of two kids myself. The kids are now sixteen thirteen. 164 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:42,320 Speaker 2: COVID retavoc on young people, and we were trying to 165 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:45,680 Speaker 2: figure out how to adapt to it like every other nonprofit. 166 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:49,559 Speaker 2: So what we started doing was digital play games where 167 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 2: we would literally have a coach that would turn on 168 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:55,720 Speaker 2: their iPhone and say, hey, everyone, we're gonna play up down, 169 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:58,599 Speaker 2: Stop go. Okay, here's how you play up down and 170 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 2: stop go. We're going to do it right now. And 171 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:03,679 Speaker 2: so we were looking at games of like little to 172 00:09:03,679 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 2: no equipment that a kid could do in their living 173 00:09:05,880 --> 00:09:10,360 Speaker 2: room in Dorchester and move their body. And so we 174 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:13,839 Speaker 2: did that and it worked. We had pretty high engagement. 175 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:17,640 Speaker 2: And the good news is we don't have to rely 176 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:20,480 Speaker 2: on that anymore. But what it did teach us was 177 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:23,600 Speaker 2: how can we get really good at supporting any school 178 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 2: anywhere and increasing opportunities for playing physical activity. So when 179 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 2: I talked about kind of serving hundreds of schools, the 180 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:34,720 Speaker 2: way we do that now is through training and professional development. 181 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:37,200 Speaker 2: So we've taken what we've learned with that coach program 182 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:41,320 Speaker 2: and now we support schools literally way up in Maine, 183 00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:45,320 Speaker 2: out in western mass all over New England to make 184 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:48,040 Speaker 2: sure that every kid has amazing play and recess every day. 185 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:50,160 Speaker 1: And something I really like about what you're doing is 186 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:54,000 Speaker 1: the junior coach Leadership program because it's important, I think, 187 00:09:54,040 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 1: for kids on the playground to also the ones especially 188 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 1: who really exemplify the values that you're trying to instill 189 00:10:02,160 --> 00:10:04,520 Speaker 1: in these kids. Give them a chance to grow and 190 00:10:04,559 --> 00:10:07,200 Speaker 1: show some leadership. So tell us how that's all working out. 191 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 2: Junior coaches are really my favorite thing of what we 192 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:13,960 Speaker 2: do at Playworks and we're just about to launch this 193 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:17,839 Speaker 2: year's cohort of junior coaches. So at our schools will 194 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:21,520 Speaker 2: identify about twelve to fifteen, typically the older kids in school, 195 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:24,000 Speaker 2: so it's a K five school kind of fourth and 196 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:27,839 Speaker 2: fifth graders. We get these kids about one hundred hours 197 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:30,480 Speaker 2: of training throughout the school year, which is a huge 198 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:33,439 Speaker 2: investment in young people. Yeah, and we train them in 199 00:10:33,520 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 2: things like game facilitation, conflict resolution strategies, how to be 200 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:42,560 Speaker 2: a strong leader so that they can go out and 201 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:46,280 Speaker 2: actually lead recess activities for their peers. And so the 202 00:10:46,360 --> 00:10:49,800 Speaker 2: junior coaches will work a recess schedule right with their 203 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:53,959 Speaker 2: playworks coach, and they're out literally setting up games, helping 204 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:59,080 Speaker 2: to lead those games, making sure kids are resolving their conflicts. Well, 205 00:10:59,120 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 2: and you're right, what we see is that these young people, 206 00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:05,439 Speaker 2: by giving them a chance to lead, it has these 207 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:10,080 Speaker 2: amazing effects on recess. But almost more importantly, and we've 208 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:14,719 Speaker 2: done evaluations with external groups on this, our kids are 209 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:20,679 Speaker 2: growing in huge ways around sense of self connection and belonging. 210 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:24,280 Speaker 2: We know that kids feeling connected and belonging that they 211 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:27,200 Speaker 2: have peers and grown ups who care about them as 212 00:11:27,240 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 2: a huge indicator of success. And we have a profound 213 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 2: impact on that. We also help these kids think about 214 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:36,560 Speaker 2: long term plans, right, so like, how do you imagine 215 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:39,839 Speaker 2: yourself going from elementary school to middle school, to high 216 00:11:39,840 --> 00:11:42,839 Speaker 2: school and beyond, because our ultimate goals that these kids 217 00:11:42,920 --> 00:11:45,720 Speaker 2: live their best lives and we actually think the skills 218 00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:48,880 Speaker 2: were teaching them as junior coaches put them on that path. 219 00:11:49,559 --> 00:11:52,360 Speaker 1: What do you do with the kid who is sitting 220 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 1: there in the corner and all he wants to do 221 00:11:55,679 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 1: is play minecraft. He wants nothing to do with tether ball. 222 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:01,520 Speaker 1: He couldn't care less out running around and playing you know, 223 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:04,040 Speaker 1: duck duck goose. How do you handle that? 224 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:07,040 Speaker 2: Maybe a controversial statement, so I'm saying this is Max 225 00:12:07,080 --> 00:12:07,720 Speaker 2: as a citizen. 226 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:08,600 Speaker 1: Enough. 227 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:12,320 Speaker 2: Max's playworks okay, But I would really love to see 228 00:12:12,360 --> 00:12:16,120 Speaker 2: Massachusetts go bell to bell, no phones. 229 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:18,679 Speaker 1: Right, And there's a push for that on beginning, there's. 230 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:20,440 Speaker 2: A push for that. There's there's a bill right now. 231 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:22,480 Speaker 2: I think it's important we're seeing other states do it. 232 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:24,160 Speaker 2: And the reason I say it again I'm part of 233 00:12:24,160 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 2: this is as a dad is I want kids to 234 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 2: be engaging in real life, to be looking at each 235 00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:32,720 Speaker 2: other's in the eyes. I don't want my kids personally 236 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 2: to be like, oh great, it's lunch. I can be 237 00:12:34,520 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 2: on my phone and you're not talking to your friends. 238 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:39,240 Speaker 2: And so I just think we need to get to 239 00:12:39,280 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 2: a place where there's no screens in schools again, so 240 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:46,520 Speaker 2: that young person wouldn't even have access to the you know, 241 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:50,320 Speaker 2: Minecraft or whatever they're playing. That being said, we know 242 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:52,199 Speaker 2: there's a there's a few ways we think about it. 243 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:56,240 Speaker 2: One is, every kid sometimes needs to check out totally right, 244 00:12:56,440 --> 00:12:58,360 Speaker 2: I don't know what's going on. So I think for 245 00:12:58,440 --> 00:13:01,640 Speaker 2: us in that case, it's a caring person comes over, 246 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:05,120 Speaker 2: he is everything, Okay, anything I need to know. Want 247 00:13:05,160 --> 00:13:06,880 Speaker 2: to get in a game with me? Now? I just 248 00:13:06,880 --> 00:13:09,599 Speaker 2: need to time out today? Awesome, high five. 249 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:10,600 Speaker 1: Good see you later. 250 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:14,080 Speaker 2: Cool. If it's a kid that day after day after 251 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:19,000 Speaker 2: day is sitting out, often we think about are they 252 00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:22,520 Speaker 2: feeling excluded? Are they having trouble making friends and connections? 253 00:13:22,840 --> 00:13:26,280 Speaker 2: Do they feel like physical activities not for them? Either 254 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:28,960 Speaker 2: someone's told them that or it's a perception they have. 255 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:32,320 Speaker 2: And then our challenge is to say, how do we 256 00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:35,480 Speaker 2: find a way to make this young person feel like 257 00:13:35,559 --> 00:13:38,200 Speaker 2: they can get into a game. And one thing we 258 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:41,600 Speaker 2: think a lot about in our schools is how do 259 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:47,400 Speaker 2: we as adults model healthy, meaningful play right, And so 260 00:13:47,800 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 2: if I'm talking to that young person, I'm like, hey, 261 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:52,440 Speaker 2: I'm gonna go get in that game a four square 262 00:13:53,720 --> 00:13:57,400 Speaker 2: once you join me, just come and I invite and 263 00:13:57,400 --> 00:14:00,160 Speaker 2: I create that opportunity. Often to'll be like, oh off, 264 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:02,200 Speaker 2: coach Max is playing, I'll jump in with their. 265 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:05,679 Speaker 1: They want me there the validation, yeah. 266 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:07,360 Speaker 2: And I can see if there's something going on and 267 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:10,760 Speaker 2: am monitoring for that without that young person knowing, I'm 268 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:14,200 Speaker 2: kind of seeing is there's something bigger going on. So 269 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:17,600 Speaker 2: you know, again, we know the kids need a break, 270 00:14:17,760 --> 00:14:21,840 Speaker 2: that's fine. Bigger picture is if it's a repeat thing, 271 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:24,120 Speaker 2: We've got to get to the root cause of that 272 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:26,960 Speaker 2: and make sure that that young person feels like they 273 00:14:26,960 --> 00:14:27,520 Speaker 2: can play. 274 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:31,440 Speaker 1: Sure, young people, especially these days at starting earlier and earlier, 275 00:14:31,560 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 1: where you know, they have access to the internet, and 276 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:37,400 Speaker 1: so with social media, kids are feeling self conscious. Bullying 277 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:40,200 Speaker 1: is still a thing. I mean, kids are always going 278 00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:44,040 Speaker 1: to be growing through puberty and this stuff happens. The 279 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:46,840 Speaker 1: conflicts come up, and there's clicks, and there's this and that, 280 00:14:47,440 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 1: and it almost feels to me like I know, back 281 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 1: in the day for me recess was kind of like 282 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:53,400 Speaker 1: the great unifier, right where you would hang out with 283 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 1: your friends, but you could also you know, beat the 284 00:14:56,720 --> 00:14:58,880 Speaker 1: bully at a game of tether ball or run around 285 00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:01,960 Speaker 1: on the structure or whatever you would call it. Do 286 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:04,080 Speaker 1: you feel that that's still the case these days? 287 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:06,720 Speaker 2: You know, we talked earlier about just a generation of 288 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 2: kids that literally sometimes don't have the skills to play, 289 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:12,680 Speaker 2: So I think that's one. I think the other thing 290 00:15:12,720 --> 00:15:17,720 Speaker 2: we've seen is this rise of really competitive youth sports 291 00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 2: and private club teams, right, So that's created an environment 292 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:25,520 Speaker 2: where some kids are just really gifted, especially in those 293 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:30,440 Speaker 2: course sports basketball, soccer, baseball, Right, So sometimes you get 294 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 2: a little bit of that those kids who are playing 295 00:15:32,360 --> 00:15:36,240 Speaker 2: really competitive versus what we call recess basketball. Hey, we 296 00:15:36,280 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 2: all love basketball. Recess basketball is a little different. And 297 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:44,160 Speaker 2: then we do know that bullying happens in schools that 298 00:15:44,640 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 2: are often at the most unsupervised times, so that is buses, cafeterias, 299 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:53,440 Speaker 2: and recess And so we did a two year randomized 300 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:57,200 Speaker 2: control trial years ago, and there's lots of results that 301 00:15:57,240 --> 00:15:58,920 Speaker 2: we can talk more about, but one of the big 302 00:15:58,960 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 2: results was that we showed a huge decrease in instances 303 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:06,160 Speaker 2: of bullying, and I think again, the reason is if 304 00:16:06,160 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 2: we can create a culture where it's about every kid 305 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:13,520 Speaker 2: deserves to play, they can play any game regardless if 306 00:16:13,600 --> 00:16:16,800 Speaker 2: they're the best soccer player in the school. You know 307 00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:19,040 Speaker 2: we're not going to do captains. So at a playwork 308 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:21,920 Speaker 2: school you won't see captains. Why because it takes too 309 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:26,520 Speaker 2: long in the first place. And second, some kids always 310 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:29,040 Speaker 2: end up getting picked first. Some kids always last. That 311 00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 2: kid who's last all of a sudden, like, I guess 312 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:34,640 Speaker 2: I'm not good at soccer. I'm not playing anymore. And 313 00:16:34,680 --> 00:16:37,720 Speaker 2: when we create a culture where we are high fiving 314 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:40,560 Speaker 2: when someone gets out and saying, hey, that was awesome, 315 00:16:40,680 --> 00:16:43,560 Speaker 2: instead of laughing and picking on them, then kids are 316 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:47,360 Speaker 2: just playing and again they get that play out, they 317 00:16:47,400 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 2: feel good and then they go on with their day 318 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:53,120 Speaker 2: versus you know, making kids feel terrible for missing a 319 00:16:53,160 --> 00:16:53,920 Speaker 2: shot or whatever. 320 00:16:54,160 --> 00:16:55,960 Speaker 1: Right, right, we don't want that. I mean, some of 321 00:16:56,080 --> 00:16:59,280 Speaker 1: us are just not good at basketball. Some of us 322 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:02,280 Speaker 1: are good at the mile, Like there are just some 323 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:04,479 Speaker 1: kids that are not athletics. Some of us are meant 324 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:06,359 Speaker 1: to be drama kids. Right, It's just the way of 325 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:08,719 Speaker 1: the world, and there's room for all of them on 326 00:17:08,760 --> 00:17:10,920 Speaker 1: that recess playground outside. 327 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:12,120 Speaker 2: That's right, Yeah, that's right. 328 00:17:12,560 --> 00:17:14,800 Speaker 1: So you know then I guess my next big question 329 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:17,360 Speaker 1: is you are in all these different schools in all 330 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:20,199 Speaker 1: parts of New England, which is great. How are you 331 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:23,200 Speaker 1: dealing with cuts to AmeriCorps. Because I know you work 332 00:17:23,240 --> 00:17:25,960 Speaker 1: with these kids at AmeriCorps, these young people, I should say, 333 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 1: how are the cuts to AmeriCorps impacting your mission and 334 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:30,080 Speaker 1: the work you're doing. 335 00:17:30,520 --> 00:17:34,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, so, I personally serve two years in AmeriCorps. I've 336 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:37,920 Speaker 2: worked in America organizations for almost twenty years. I think 337 00:17:37,960 --> 00:17:41,920 Speaker 2: that every American should serve our country, whether it's in 338 00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:47,320 Speaker 2: the military, national service. You know, we have every year 339 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:52,040 Speaker 2: we turn away thousands and thousands and thousands of Americans 340 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:56,720 Speaker 2: trying to serve our country through AmeriCorps and so, and 341 00:17:56,760 --> 00:17:59,919 Speaker 2: it's also been something that typically is pretty strong bipartisan support. 342 00:18:00,119 --> 00:18:03,520 Speaker 2: So you know, I hope, just as a citizen, that 343 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:07,200 Speaker 2: AmeriCorps is something that is here for decades to come, 344 00:18:07,560 --> 00:18:09,960 Speaker 2: because I've seen it do amazing things for both people 345 00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:15,199 Speaker 2: and communities. We are really grateful in this moment of 346 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:17,479 Speaker 2: time to be able to share that we maintained our 347 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:21,359 Speaker 2: AmeriCorps grant. So this year in Boston we have ten 348 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:28,600 Speaker 2: Americorp coaches serving in schools and we also kept our grant. Nationally, 349 00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:33,399 Speaker 2: not all organizations did, and you know the impact of 350 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:39,119 Speaker 2: that is really detrimental. If AmeriCorps were to go away completely, 351 00:18:40,480 --> 00:18:45,960 Speaker 2: we would need to radically rethink our model. So in short, 352 00:18:46,160 --> 00:18:50,119 Speaker 2: the way AmeriCorps works for playworks is that it's almost 353 00:18:50,119 --> 00:18:53,480 Speaker 2: about twenty percent of our budget, and so it covers 354 00:18:54,720 --> 00:18:58,520 Speaker 2: about twenty thousand, or nearly half of what that coach 355 00:18:58,560 --> 00:19:03,359 Speaker 2: in a school gets. First. That would be a huge 356 00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:06,960 Speaker 2: hole in our budget, and so I think what it 357 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:09,719 Speaker 2: would mean is that we'd have to look at our 358 00:19:09,760 --> 00:19:14,080 Speaker 2: donor community, which are grateful for and they're generous, but 359 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:17,800 Speaker 2: to say, can donors help fill this gap which you 360 00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:19,800 Speaker 2: know for our budget this year just in New England 361 00:19:19,840 --> 00:19:23,119 Speaker 2: to almost two hundred thousand dollars in AmeriCorps funding. 362 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:27,639 Speaker 1: Wow, Okay, not an insignificant number by any means, but 363 00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:31,199 Speaker 1: you know, if somebody is listening and hearing this and 364 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:33,439 Speaker 1: saying I don't want this to go away, I have 365 00:19:33,680 --> 00:19:37,399 Speaker 1: means I can help. How can they help? What do 366 00:19:37,400 --> 00:19:37,840 Speaker 1: you need? 367 00:19:39,359 --> 00:19:44,360 Speaker 2: Yeah? So the amazing thing about Playworks is that schools 368 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:45,400 Speaker 2: pay for our program. 369 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:47,240 Speaker 1: Oh good, okay, So. 370 00:19:47,200 --> 00:19:49,160 Speaker 2: Schools have skin in the game, and I think that's 371 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:52,760 Speaker 2: really important. If you're an individual that is thinking about 372 00:19:53,280 --> 00:19:55,879 Speaker 2: how you donate your money, and you know, maybe you 373 00:19:55,880 --> 00:19:59,000 Speaker 2: can give ten dollars, maybe you can give thousands of dollars, 374 00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:01,960 Speaker 2: that's great, and we all need people that open up 375 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:04,480 Speaker 2: their wallets and be generous in this moment of time, 376 00:20:04,520 --> 00:20:07,760 Speaker 2: because times are tough. I would say to that person 377 00:20:07,760 --> 00:20:09,520 Speaker 2: if they're interested in what we do. The fact that 378 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:12,520 Speaker 2: schools are paying for that direct service program I've been 379 00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:16,320 Speaker 2: talking about, schools pay about forty two thousand dollars. That's 380 00:20:16,359 --> 00:20:19,919 Speaker 2: a big investment right out of their school budget. And 381 00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:22,320 Speaker 2: I think when you see that level of investment, what 382 00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:25,840 Speaker 2: that says is that principle sees a strong return on 383 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:28,520 Speaker 2: their investment. They know that we're going to come into 384 00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:32,000 Speaker 2: their school, We're going to show strong results, and our 385 00:20:32,080 --> 00:20:34,800 Speaker 2: ultimate job is to take the chaos out of recess 386 00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:37,679 Speaker 2: so that that school can focus on teaching and learning. 387 00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:39,840 Speaker 2: That's what kids are showing up for. We care about 388 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:42,760 Speaker 2: the social skills and having fun and moving our bodies, 389 00:20:44,359 --> 00:20:47,120 Speaker 2: but ultimately we want every kid to thrive. We want 390 00:20:47,119 --> 00:20:49,879 Speaker 2: schools to be these amazing places where kids feel great 391 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:54,120 Speaker 2: but they're also learning. And so if people wanted to give, 392 00:20:54,160 --> 00:20:56,560 Speaker 2: they could go to playworks dot org, slash New England. 393 00:20:57,640 --> 00:21:00,320 Speaker 2: They can find us that way, they can find through 394 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:02,560 Speaker 2: the website. We can talk more about what we do 395 00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:06,600 Speaker 2: and why why it matters. But we need new donors 396 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:12,560 Speaker 2: from individuals, corporate foundation. We welcome them and need them 397 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:13,440 Speaker 2: in this moment of time. 398 00:21:13,680 --> 00:21:16,479 Speaker 1: You're still accepting schools at this point or have you 399 00:21:16,520 --> 00:21:18,200 Speaker 1: put kind of a hold on that. 400 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:22,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, So for our professional development, trading and coaching, we 401 00:21:22,720 --> 00:21:26,159 Speaker 2: accept schools throughout the year and we can have a 402 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:29,600 Speaker 2: lot of impact even through a half day workshop and 403 00:21:29,640 --> 00:21:33,200 Speaker 2: then we do year long engagements. So yeah, any school 404 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:35,640 Speaker 2: can find us. We also have a free games library, 405 00:21:35,720 --> 00:21:38,280 Speaker 2: so if you're not ready to partner, we have some 406 00:21:38,320 --> 00:21:42,159 Speaker 2: free resources. There's some YouTube videos. You know, when we 407 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:44,520 Speaker 2: talk about every kid having great play, we really mean 408 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:47,560 Speaker 2: every kid and we think that means sometimes people engage 409 00:21:47,600 --> 00:21:50,520 Speaker 2: with us, sometimes they'll get our games library and go 410 00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:52,199 Speaker 2: do it on their own, and we still give that 411 00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:52,840 Speaker 2: a high five. 412 00:21:53,240 --> 00:21:56,320 Speaker 1: All right, last question, probably the most important question I'm 413 00:21:56,320 --> 00:21:58,640 Speaker 1: going to ask you what is your favorite game? 414 00:21:58,920 --> 00:22:03,080 Speaker 2: Oh gosh, lately I have been really into sprout ball, 415 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:06,240 Speaker 2: which is a little bit of a hybrid game between 416 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:10,040 Speaker 2: a dodgeball and a tag game. Okay, so the way 417 00:22:10,080 --> 00:22:12,119 Speaker 2: it works is that there's a few people that are it. 418 00:22:12,680 --> 00:22:16,520 Speaker 2: They have the ball. If you get hit, you squat down, 419 00:22:16,760 --> 00:22:19,600 Speaker 2: and then you're watching. If the person that hit you 420 00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:22,280 Speaker 2: gets hit by another ball, they squat down. I'm back 421 00:22:22,280 --> 00:22:24,600 Speaker 2: in the game. Cool, and then you can play it. 422 00:22:24,640 --> 00:22:26,760 Speaker 2: And an advance model is that the people that are 423 00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:30,320 Speaker 2: down as the sprouts, they can get a ball pass 424 00:22:30,400 --> 00:22:32,959 Speaker 2: to them so that they're still in the game, and 425 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:34,760 Speaker 2: they can pass it to other people. So you get 426 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:38,600 Speaker 2: It's fun, it's super fast, it's competitive, which I like, 427 00:22:39,240 --> 00:22:42,760 Speaker 2: but it also teaches things like if your basketball or 428 00:22:42,800 --> 00:22:45,120 Speaker 2: soccer player, you're learning about giv and go right because 429 00:22:45,119 --> 00:22:47,320 Speaker 2: you're learning how to pass and move without the ball. 430 00:22:48,160 --> 00:22:50,320 Speaker 2: There's a lot of strategy to it. It's a great 431 00:22:50,359 --> 00:22:52,920 Speaker 2: game and all you need is a couple of balls 432 00:22:52,920 --> 00:22:53,879 Speaker 2: in a boundary era. 433 00:22:54,119 --> 00:22:57,200 Speaker 1: Very different from when I was back in school many 434 00:22:57,240 --> 00:22:59,440 Speaker 1: decades ago, and we're not going to say how many, 435 00:22:59,480 --> 00:23:02,159 Speaker 1: but just you know, getting wailed on by a dodgeball 436 00:23:02,320 --> 00:23:04,879 Speaker 1: or four square or something. Kind of wish we'd sprout 437 00:23:04,920 --> 00:23:05,480 Speaker 1: ball back then. 438 00:23:05,600 --> 00:23:09,160 Speaker 2: Huh yeah, and dodgeball, four square, they all still exist. 439 00:23:09,680 --> 00:23:11,840 Speaker 2: We love it all. But you know, the more, like 440 00:23:11,880 --> 00:23:14,119 Speaker 2: I talked about, the more we can introduce new games 441 00:23:14,119 --> 00:23:17,760 Speaker 2: throughout the year, absolutely, then recess becomes this fresh kind 442 00:23:17,760 --> 00:23:19,840 Speaker 2: of environment, beautiful. Well. 443 00:23:19,880 --> 00:23:23,720 Speaker 1: Max Fripp from Playworks really enjoyed the conversation. I learned 444 00:23:23,760 --> 00:23:26,359 Speaker 1: a lot today. Thank you for helping our kids get outside, 445 00:23:26,359 --> 00:23:29,120 Speaker 1: get healthy, and have some fun, because you know, these 446 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:30,600 Speaker 1: days we could all use a bit more fun. 447 00:23:30,720 --> 00:23:32,680 Speaker 2: I agree, Thank you, Nicole, and play. 448 00:23:32,480 --> 00:23:35,480 Speaker 1: On all right, have a safe and healthy weekend. Please 449 00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:38,199 Speaker 1: join me again next week for another edition of the show. 450 00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:42,280 Speaker 1: I'm Nicole Davis from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.