AURORA | Aurora Public Schools are looking for new ways to continue funding a popular program that teaches children social emotional skills through playing.
Playworks helps students build skills, like conflict resolution and compassion, and keeps students active during recess. The Playworks organization has been working with Fulton Academy of Excellence since 2018, and began working with all elementary schools in the district since 2021.
The program was paid for by the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, which the federal government gave to schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the deadline to spend the funds on the horizon, the district is looking for new ways to continue the programs.
Prior to Playworks coming to the school, McWilliams said students would walk around in cliques or sit under the slide in small groups. Any problems or conflicts that students had in the playground would also affect class time as teachers worked to resolve it.
McWilliams said that when students go home, they often play video games and don’t go outside to play with friends or neighbors.
“They truly don’t know games to play,” she said. “They don’t know how to make up games.”
Now, all students are involved in playing together, and McWilliams said they learned how to problem solve and mediate. They also learned how to play games so they can play them at home.
State. Sen Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, chairperson of the state Senate Education Committee, said there are many funding source opportunities, and that they would have to get creative.
Love this! For maximum learning and health benefits, sure hope that the kids get a morning, a lunchtime, and an afternoon play period everyday.
I subbed at APS for 20 years. Play works and Americorps coaches were a regular part of the curriculum over the course of my last five to seven years. They and the activities were invaluable as a regular part of the school day!!!