Elon Park Recess Guide 2022-2023

The Elon Park recess schedule has been determined for the year and will be sent to teachers monthly in calendar form.  A calendar with locations for every day of the month will be provided on the website under the recess schedules tab.

Recess Rules and Guidelines
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1.) Only 1 mini team at a location at a time.  The schedule is set up to accommodate all mini teams so make sure you know where you are supposed to be each week.
 
2.) This year we are going to try a different approach.  This will only work with everyone’s help.  There will be a bin full of location appropriate recess equipment that will be brought out to the bus lot each day to start, and if all goes well we will move on to more areas.  A list will be attached to each bin showing what equipment should be provided.  Please make sure when you are out at the recess locations that all equipment that is taken out of the bins is returned.  I highly recommend possibly including a job within your classroom each week for one student to check the location and the bin for equipment at the end of your classes recess time.
 
4) This year a more digital approach will be provided to keep the recess program updated and ever growing.  On top of posted schedules, new games (including rules, setup and equipment needed) will be added to the website as a resource for all teachers.
 

PLAYGROUND SAFETY RULES

1.       Always play safe by being careful and showing courtesy.
2.       Never run around or push and pull others while near playground equipment.  Keep your hands and feet to yourself at all times.  Physical contact and verbal abuse (mean words) are not permitted.
3.       Don’t go too close to the front or rear of moving equipment; instead, walk out around it.
4.       Wear proper clothing.  Make sure your shoes are tied and be aware of clothes that are loose fitting, necklaces, scarves, strings etc. as they can get caught on the equipment.
5.       When you get off equipment make sure there isn’t anyone in the way.  If you jump, always bend your knees slightly and land on two feet.
6.       Be aware of equipment that is wet because the surface will be slippery.
7.       If you go to the playground in the summertime, make sure the equipment is not too hot.
8.       Take turns and get in a line when more than one person wants to use a piece of equipment.  By sharing, everyone will  get a turn.  No holding places or butting in line. 
9.       Sit properly on equipment and do not overcrowd.  If a piece of equipment has a handrail, make sure you hold it at all times.
10.      Ask an adult for help if there is a problem or someone is hurt.
11.       If a piece of equipment is broken, or there is a dangerous object on the ground, do not touch it and let an adult know immediately.

SWING SAFETY

Safe Use of Swings
Familiarize your children with basic rules to keep them safer on the swings. Children must not push each other when they are on moving playground equipment such as a swing or seesaw. Standing or kneeling on swings is dangerous and can lead to falls and injuries. Children must hold on tightly with both hands when they are swinging, and get off only when the swing has stopped moving (not letting go in mid swing). Only one child must sit on a swing at a time. To avoid getting hit by a swing, children and adults must keep a safe distance and avoid standing, walking or running close to moving swings.  Swing toward the gaga ball pit at all times and not in the direction of the fence.  In order to wait for a swing students must stand in the grass far enough back to not get hit by the swing.  Practice these rules with your kids.

​Possible Hazards
Open hooks or protrusions on swing equipment make potential entanglement hazards and can also pinch or scratch the skin. Avoid swings with open S hooks, which can entangle clothing and potentially strangle a child. Do not let your children use playground equipment that has missing or loose components, exposed nails or sharp surfaces.

Games Rules and Setup
Recess Games Database
File Size: 4177 kb
File Type: docx
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