TOG and Local School District (SUSD) Bring the Importance of Playtime Center Stage
Last Monday I had the honor of hosting the first of a series of campus supervisor’s (yard duties) training program for Saugus Union School District. This grassroots Mindful Play Leader’s, Lead to Succeed, program was the brainchild of Dr. Joan Lucid, Superintendent of Saugus Union School District (SUSD). Based on her request, extracting tools from my award winning book, The “Perfect” Parent, I customized the tools of growth to educate and empower the campus supervisors of SUSD.
Campus supervisors were thrilled that through this program the school district was “FINALLY” providing them an opportunity to grow and better their skills. With 70 attendees, split in two three and half hour sessions, our first session was a huge success!
As I reflect back on our class, I must admit that I am in awe of the enthusiasm that ran through every minute of the three and half hour session! These play-ground experts, who take both their roles as campus supervisors and their love for children very seriously, worked individually and as groups to bring to the table real life scenarios that we resolved collaboratively using the emotional intelligence and communication tools that were presented in this session.
But truly what brought my heart the most satisfaction was the expressions on their faces when I cited the science behind the importance of their role. As one veteran campus supervisor shared openly, “We know that we contribute to the success of children in our hearts but to actually know that there is science supporting our work is so refreshing and reassuring. I’m done with thinking I’m “just a yard duty”!
I am delighted, humbled and grateful for the confidence and trust that SUSD has invested in Tools Of Growth. And needless to say, I am super excited to see the progress we will make in minimizing the number of concerns on the play ground. I know the district will be watching the reports closely, and tracking the reduction in number of complaints from the play yard as well as the students comfort level in bringing their issues to the campus supervisors. But to me, the defining element of the success of this program will be the connections that will be strengthened between campus supervisors and children—harnessing my larger purpose of contributing to Raise kids to be happy, think positive and do good.
You can find more information on tailoring this program for your school or district here.
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