We strive to offer you valuable free resources in every newsletter. If you no longer want to receive this email, you can Unsubscribe.

Hello, my name is Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer. I serve as an expert witness in playground injury lawsuits and have spent the last 15 years reviewing some of the most serious and preventable playground injuries affecting children today.

Because of this concern, I have gathered research, developed resources, and created practical solutions to help schools keep children active . These resources include:

• Hop Skip and a Jump to Fitness
• An Inclusive Playground : Fun for Everyone
• Playgrounds Designed for Learning
• Position Statement on Dodgeball at Recess/PE

My mission is to provide schools and youth programs with the knowledge, strategies, and tools they need to create safer play environments, preserve recess opportunities, and support healthy, active children.

From Chaos to Calm: A Case Study

By Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer

An Expert Witness in Playground Injury Cases

From Chaos to Calm: How One School Cut Playground Conflicts by 66%

One school was struggling with more than 12 playground conflict reports each week. Recess had become stressful for students, staff, and administrators.

By partnering with Peaceful Playgrounds, they created organized play spaces, added clear game markings, and trained staff to support positive play.

The results in just 30 days:

• 66% fewer playground conflicts

• More active, engaged students

• Improved school climate

• Happier recess supervisors

Swipe through to see how a structured recess program can transform your playground.

Interested in improving recess at your school? Contact us for a free consultation or learn more at PeacefulPlaygrounds.com.

To purchase a playground report:

Recent years are bringing hotter summers and colder winters. Instead of eliminating recess, an alternative strategy is to bring it indoors with brain breaks like these recess indoor rugs. Including brain breaks and indoor recess is a new factor to include in every schools plan for keeping children active and giving mandatory recess minutes. These are now sometimes being referred to as Extreme Heat Action plans or Inclement Weather Action Plans. 

School districts continue to face multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements related to supervision failures, campus safety hazards, and preventable student injuries. Playground injuries remain one of the most common sources of school injury claims

Why Certified Playground Supervision Training is Essential

Certified playground supervision training is essential because schools are held to a “reasonably prudent” standard—and placing untrained adults in charge of student safety can be viewed as negligence. Trained supervisors actively scan, anticipate risks, and intervene before injuries occur, while untrained staff often miss hazards and supervise passively, increasing both injury risk and liability. Most importantly, documented training becomes a school’s primary defense in the event of an injury, demonstrating that proactive steps were taken to protect students.

ONLINE COURSE OPTIONS

Playground Supervisor Training

Early Childhood Supervision Training

Bullying Prevention Training

Grant Writing Course

Recess Before Lunch Training

Pedometer Walking Program Training

**NEW Course Bundle**

$2,250

How to Have A Peaceful Playground

Low Cost, High Activity Playground

Playground and Strategies for Improving Recess

A Program loved by all

Principals, Teachers, PE Teachers and After School Programs

A Better Way to Supervise and Safer Playgrounds for Every Child

Supervising a busy playground can be one of the most challenging parts of the school day. That’s where Peaceful Playgrounds makes a real difference. Our evidence-based program transforms unstructured recess into a more organized, engaging, and safer experience.

With clearly marked game zones, visual boundaries, and colorful stencils, children know where and how to play—reducing confusion, overcrowding, and conflicts. This structure not only supports positive student behavior, but also helps supervisors more easily identify and respond to potential issues before they escalate.

The result?

• Fewer playground injuries
• Dramatically reduced behavior referrals
• More confident and effective playground supervision'

Peaceful Playgrounds isn't just about play—it's about creating a safe, inclusive environment where every child has the chance to thrive.

The Peaceful Playgrounds Program is a nationally recognized and award-winning physical activity program touching nearly 4 million children annually for over 25+ years!

Created by an Educator like you!

Time to order the kit, paint your playground over summer, and be ready for the new year!

The recess program is low-cost, affordable, easy to implement and you can start now!

 Testimonial

“With no grass area and only blacktop space, Peaceful Playgrounds was what we needed!” says Marianne Hertzog of Thomas Jefferson Elementary, NY. Easy to paint, teach, and apply—this program gave students more to do during recess and PE, making playtime active, structured, and engaging.

Contact us. We can assist you with brochures, estimate and everything you need to get started today.

(951) 245-6970 or officestaff@peacefulplaygrounds.com

Recess is a right, not a reward.

Withholding play harms children’s ability to focus, self-regulate, and engage in class. Positive behavior systems work better than taking recess away.

10 Steps to a Peaceful Playground

Creating Safe, Active, Happy Playgrounds

 A How-To Guide For Playground Supervision

Playground supervision plays a critical role in keeping all kids safe at school.  Yet, only a small number of playground supervisors receive any training on their roles and responsibilities. It is not uncommon as a result of the lack of training injuries occur. But proactive supervision and planning can reduce the likelihood of an injury that results in the threat of a lawsuit because of inadequate playground supervision.

"Stay connected with us! Ensure you never miss important updates by adding our website/email to your district's safe list."