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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.
I have seen children suffer traumatic brain injuries, eye injuries, broken bones, and other life-altering harm. In many cases, inadequate supervision was a contributing factor. Proper playground supervision training can significantly reduce preventable injuries and improve student safety.
That is why I created practical supervision tools and training programs for preschools, elementary schools, and after-school programs, including:
My mission is to provide schools and youth programs with the knowledge, strategies, and tools they need to create safer play environments and help protect children from preventable injuries.
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EARLY CHILDHOOD PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION COURSE
(AGES 0-5)
For Pre-Schools
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.
Course Description
The Peaceful Playgrounds Online ECE Playground Supervisor Training is designed to introduce administrators, teachers, substitute teachers, physical educators, parents, after-school personnel, and playground supervisors to the responsibilities and techniques associated with keeping children safe on a playground.
This course details playground surfacing, play structure, safety, and playground supervision.
This is an online on-demand course. Once you enroll in the course and pay for the course, you will be directed to the log-on and spot to begin the course. Students can progress through the readings and final quiz at their own pace during the 2 week enrollment period.
Target Audience
The online class is designed for physical education teachers, adapted physical education specialists, classroom teachers, student teachers, substitute teachers, after-school program personnel, administrators, and specialists who want to learn more about the responsibilities and techniques associated with keeping children safe on a playground.
You do not currently need to be actively employed or working with students.
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Ensuring Playground Safety
By Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer
An Expert Witness in Playground Injury Cases
A Principal’s Reflection on a Landmark Settlement
A settlement has been reached by HSPRD, a Wisconsin Law firm, amounting to over $4.6 million, to compensate for the injuries suffered by a six-year-old student, Alex Hook, in Wisconsin according to the HSPRD. The incident occurred when Alex was playing on the school playground during recess and was struck in the skull by a piece of metal rebar.
HSPRD took legal action on Alex’s behalf in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, targeting two main defendants: the concrete company responsible for leaving the rebar in a grassy area near the playground, and the landscaping company whose employee was operating a riding mower over the area during recess, inadvertently launching the rebar towards Alex.
Initially, both defendants denied responsibility. However, HSPRD successfully negotiated the settlement by utilizing forensic analysis of the school’s surveillance footage, which pinpointed the defendant’s mower as the cause of the injury. Additionally, documents obtained during the discovery phase linked the concrete company to the rebar in question.
Following the incident, Alex underwent emergency surgery to save his life, and endured a lengthy and complex recovery process, including multiple additional surgeries. While Alex has thankfully made a remarkable recovery, he bears a permanent scar on his head as a reminder of the ordeal.
Lessons from a Legal Perspective
Mark Dym, representing Alex and his parents, Caryn and Kirbey, expressed gratitude for the recovery Alex has made, while highlighting the months of unnecessary pain, stress, and anxiety endured by the family due to the defendants’ negligence. Dym commended Alex’s resilience and the support of his family, emphasizing the importance of the settlement in providing financial security for Alex’s future.
A Principal’s Responsibility for Playground Safety
Principals have the responsibility of overseeing that they playground and school facility remains safe. Post construction reviews should be conducted, and the facility cleared for safe usage. Continuing maintenance and repairs are an ongoing administrative responsibility especially in the playground area where statistically most serious school injuries occur.
3 Steps Principals Can Take to Improve Playground Safety
| | $250 OFF SALE - June 15- July 15 | |
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.
Course Goals
1. You will acquire a better understanding of your role and responsibility in supervising children on the playground at recess.
2. Understand your responsibilities before, during, and after recess.
3. Understand supervision zones and how they contribute to student safety.
4. Understand the legal role and responsibilities in keeping children safe.
5. Understand the techniques for dealing with behavior problems on the playground.
6. Be able to identify hazards on the playground.
"“This is a great program, user-friendly, places risk in perspective, demonstrated areas for potential negligence includes helpful forms that are easily downloaded.” – Walema Kwanza Ntele"
| | Peaceful Playgrounds Recess Program | | |
Want a Safe Playground?
Peaceful Playgrounds Recess Program is the Solution.
The Peaceful Playgrounds Recess Program transforms chaotic play areas into structured, inclusive, and safe environments. By clearly marking out designated game zones and providing staff with consistent training and behavior expectations, the program reduces playground conflicts and injuries. With over 100 easy-to-implement games and activities, students stay engaged and active, which naturally decreases unsafe or unsupervised behavior. The result is a calmer, more organized recess that promotes cooperation, reduces discipline issues, and ensures every child has a place to play.
RESEARCH SHOWS:
The 43% of playground injuries are going to or coming from the playground. We have a management system that addresses this issue within the program.
The recess program is low-cost, affordable, easy to implement and you can start now!
The Peaceful Playgrounds Program is a nationally recognized and award-winning physical activity program touching nearly 5 million children annually for over 27 years!
Contact us. We can assist you with brochures, estimate and everything you need to get started today.
(951) 245-6970 or officestaff@peacefulplaygrounds.com
| | The Peaceful Playgrounds Program is a nationally recognized and award-winning physical activity program touching nearly 4 million children annually for over 28 years! | | *New* Principal's Toolkits | INTRODUCTION VIDEO BY Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer | |
TOOLKIT 3 : The Recess Equation
Equipment, Training & Games -
Why stencils alone don't add up
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A Smarter Way to Play
Imagine a school playground, vibrant with freshly painted lines for new games. While it looks like a perfect solution for an active recess, early studies showed that stencils alone, while temporarily increasing activity, fail to solve deeper issues like arguments and confrontations. The Peaceful Playgrounds Program (PPP) was forged from years of observation and analysis to address the real challenges of recess. The goal of PPP was to create a profound shift in the playground’s social ecosystem, moving beyond superficial fixes.
| | Alternatives to Withholding Recess | | |
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.
| | *NEW* The Recess Blueprint | |
10 Steps to a Peaceful Playground
Creating Safe, Active, Happy Playgrounds
| | Playground Supervision Guide | | |
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.
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June 2026 Winner
Jessica Hall - Cobblestone Elementary
Enter your school today in the "Learn to Play" US Map Playground Map Stencil Giveaway. The beautiful geographically and proportionately accurate educational map stencil is 20 feet by 36 feet and extends the classroom curriculum to recess and outdoor play. History and geography come alive with the games and activities included in the stencil set.
You might be the next winner. Good Luck!
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