Playbag Update: What's Happening This Year!
Each classroom has a playbag full of various toys, games and sports equipment for use at recess or Daily Physical Activity (DPA), thanks to some motivated parent volunteers from the Greening & Grounds Committee. Parent Council funded the launch of this program in February 2013, with approximately $2000 or $5 per student. Almost all of the equipment acquired last year with that money is now in circulation- though we still have a small reserve. (read more about what we did in the spring, click HERE.)
We have had fabulous feedback from teachers about playbags- teachers, thank you for your support of this program!
Volunteers periodically collect and re-distribute items so that each class always has a mix of stuff. We ask that everyone, including parents, children and staff help care for the equipment:
At this point, we are monitoring to see how equipment lasts and how much we lose to wear and tear and other points unknown. We've appealed to teachers to urge their students to take care of the equipment, and help them set up systems to do so.
This could have educational value in and of itself, and take any creative form that works in the classroom. Suggestions include:
The incentive is simple: if we can keep loss to a minimum, new money can be spent to add exciting new equipment to the program rather than simply replacing the basics.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Please contact us with feedback or requests: greencmte@hotmail.com !
We have had fabulous feedback from teachers about playbags- teachers, thank you for your support of this program!
Volunteers periodically collect and re-distribute items so that each class always has a mix of stuff. We ask that everyone, including parents, children and staff help care for the equipment:
- if you see items lying around the yard or on the street, bring them into the school
- if you come to use the field on weekends please help us to care for sand toys by putting them back in the bins.
At this point, we are monitoring to see how equipment lasts and how much we lose to wear and tear and other points unknown. We've appealed to teachers to urge their students to take care of the equipment, and help them set up systems to do so.
This could have educational value in and of itself, and take any creative form that works in the classroom. Suggestions include:
- Add playbags to the classroom list of jobs and have students sort, tidy and re-mark KGPS with a permanent marker as needed.
- Periodically give a little pep talk to students about care of the equipment, or have students brainstorm what that would entail, and incorporate simple tips such as “if you take something out, you are responsible to bring it back.”
- Help to cultivate a collective sense of responsibility, and encourage students to pick up equipment that they may see lying around and place it in one of the bins for misplaced toys around the school.
The incentive is simple: if we can keep loss to a minimum, new money can be spent to add exciting new equipment to the program rather than simply replacing the basics.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- We welcome donations of anything you may have for the playbags and sand areas: sand toys and trucks, chalk, balls, skipping ropes and toys, hula hoops, sports equipment, etc. There is a marked bin in the front hall, across from the office, where you may place donations, or you may contact a volunteer to arrange a pick up of items (e-mail greencmte@hotmail.com ).
- Please keep your eyes open at garage sales and consider purchasing and donating, or think of the playbags when clearing things out at home!
- You may also donate items directly to your child’s classroom, and classroom teachers are free to mark their room number on items and keep their own inventory of playbag equipment.
- We also welcome volunteers to help us with periodical upkeep of the playbags, or if you have new ideas for this ever-evolving program!
Please contact us with feedback or requests: greencmte@hotmail.com !
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