Play is fundamental to kid's whole child health and well-being. Play is a kid's preferred way of learning, and research demonstrates that play can enhance academic performance.
Despite all the benefits of play, not all children in the Rochester City School District have equitable access to the benefits of play in their education experience. Despite bright spots throughout the district, and a wealth of community organizations committed to the power of play, there is no coordination of these efforts, or mechanisms to support the transition of knowledge and resources between buildings. That's why the PlayROCs Advocacy Committee and families in the Rochester City School District have decided enough is enough! We need to make sure that potential of play is centered in our children's learning experiences.
Play is fundamental to kid's whole child health and well-being. Play is a kid's preferred way of learning, and research demonstrates that play can enhance academic performance.
Despite all the benefits of play, not all children in the Rochester City School District have equitable access to the benefits of play in their education experience. Despite bright spots throughout the district, and a wealth of community organizations committed to the power of play, there is no coordination of these efforts, or mechanisms to support the transition of knowledge and resources between buildings. That's why the PlayROCs Advocacy Committee and families have decided enough is enough! We need to make sure that potential of play is centered in our children's learning experiences.
Play is central to the education and well-being of our children. To support our kids, we must maximize the potential play can bring to our education system. All children (Prek-12) in the Rochester City School District must have equitable access to playful learning and unstructured play opportunities throughout the day (in school, out of school, and during the summer).
Goal(s) of convening:
- Develop a community vision for play to support children’s learning and outcomes in Rochester City School District. The end result of the series of meetings will be the creation of a “vision for play” that highlights strategies and tactics to move forward the potential of play in our learning environments.
- Lift and amplify community bright spots: there are so many schools, community organizations and parent leaders that are driving forward change to maximize the potential of play in learning. Our goal is to amplify these bright spots and develop recommendations to bring these successes to all children in the district.
- Center family and youth voice: Families and youth are the one consistent factor in the Rochester City School District. The Play and Education convening will amplify and ensure family, caregiver and youth voices are centered, prioritized and honored. Throughout the meetings participants will hear from youth and families, and we encourage all parents to participate! This meeting was planned by parents just like you!
- Educate on the importance of play and learning. You’ll learn from national and local experts how playful learning and unstructured play enhances academic achievement, improves kids’ health and wellbeing, and is a key strategy for kids to build healthy relationships.
- Advocate: We know that real barriers exist to bringing the joy of play to each child in the district. The sessions will identify where the opportunities are for district wide systems change to improve policies, environments, and practices that support play and center kids and families
- Coordinate: organizations across the community are doing amazing things to bring the power of play in the Rochester City School District. Unfortunately, we aren’t always aligned in these efforts. These sessions will seek to align and coordinate community resources around play and education to ensure all kids have access to the potential of play in their school.
- Importance of play-based learning in child development - Medium article
- The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bond - American Academy of Pediatrics
- 10 things every parent should know about play - NAEYC
- Learning through play: Strengthening learning through play in early childhood education programs - UNICEF and the LEGO Foundation
- The importance of play for adolescents - Heather R. Hayes & Associates, Inc.
We need YOUR voice and feedback to create a vision for playful learning in the Rochester City School District. Families are driving the planning and development of this vision, but we need more support from you. All of the feedback we collect will inform our final vision and identify both short term and long term strategies for change.
There are a number of ways you can participate:
- Join the meetings: Healthi Kids will be hosting a series of three meetings over the summer to get feedback from families and students on the current state of playful learning in the Rochester City School District, and brainstorm ways we can make it better. Our goal is to bring together an organization for every parent and student leader. If you're interested in participating in these meetings please fill out this form. Parents and primary caregivers who participate in the meetings will be compensated for their time and efforts.
- Meetings will be held virtually on the following dates: Tuesday May 25th, Thursday June 3rd, and Thursday, June 10th from 5:30p - 8:00 p.m.
- Sign up today
- Sign up to participate in our kitchen table conversations: If committing to a series of meetings this summer isn't doable for you, that's okay! Our team is willing to set up kitchen table conversations with families interested in participating. Just let us know what your preferred way of engaging is by filling out this form. Parents and primary caregivers who participate in these kitchen table conversations will be compensated for their time and efforts.
- Kitchen table conversations will occur throughout the summer. Our team will reach out to you if this is something you're interested in.
- Sign up today
- Take our survey: We also have created a survey for parents and primary caregivers to fill out. The information we collect will be used to inform the final vision plan.
- Send us an e-mail: You can always send the Healthi Kids team an e-mail at info@healthikids.org with any feedback, thoughts, and comments. One of our team members will reach out to you.
**Families and students who attend the meetings and kitchen table conversations will be compensated for their time.
Student voice is SO important to this mission! We need YOUR voice and feedback to create a vision for playful learning in the Rochester City School District. While parents and primary caregivers are driving the planning and development of this vision, they have stressed that we NEED to amplify students needs, wants and desires too. All of the feedback we collect will inform our final vision and identify both short term and long term strategies for change.
We are currently recruiting middle-school and high school students to join us. There are a number of ways you can participate:
- Join the convening: Healthi Kids will be hosting a series of three meetings over the summer to get feedback from families and students on the current state of playful learning in the Rochester City School District, and brainstorm ways we can make it better. Our goal is to bring together an organization for every parent and student leader. If you're interested in participating in these meetings please fill out this form. Students who participate in the meetings will be compensated for their time and efforts.
- Meetings will be held virtually on the following dates: Tuesday May 25th, Thursday June 3rd, and Thursday, June 10th from 5:30 - 8:00 PM
- Sign up today
- Sign up to participate in our kitchen table conversations: If committing to a series of meetings this summer isn't doable for you, that's okay! Our team is willing to set up kitchen table conversations with students interested in participating. Just let us know what your preferred way of engaging is by filling out this form. Students who participate in these kitchen table conversations will be compensated for their time and efforts.
- Kitchen table conversations will occur throughout the summer. Our team will reach out to you if this is something you're interested in.
- Sign up today
- Sign up for us to come to your youth group: Are you part of a youth group or student council? If you're interested in having our team come to get feedback from you directly, please reach out to us at info@healthikids.org
- Take our survey: We also have created a survey for students to fill out. The information we collect will be used to inform the final vision plan.
- Send us an e-mail: You can always send the Healthi Kids team an e-mail at info@healthikids.org with any feedback, thoughts, and comments. One of our team members will reach out to you.
**Families and students who attend the meetings and kitchen table conversations will be compensated for their time.
- PlayROCs Advocacy Committee parent leaders: Heather Feinman, Sasha Lewis, Sandy Mayer, Emma Morrison, and Precious Moses
- Whole Child Connection at Children's Institute
- Aria Strategies LLC
- Roc the Future
- The Strong Museum of Play
- Greater Rochester After School and Summer Alliance
- Generations 2
- Tuesday, May 25th, 5:30-8p
- Thursday, June 3th, 5:30-8p
- Thursday, June 10th, 5:30-8p
**students and families will be compensated for their time
We're currently recruiting students and family voice to help us create a vision for play in the Rochester City School District.
Students and families will join community organizations and partners in these efforts.
Organizational Partners
- Rochester City School District
- Aria Strategies LLC
- Roc the Future
- The Strong Museum of Play
- Greater Rochester After School and Summer Alliance
- Generations 2
If you are interested in becoming an organizational partner, please sign up here.
We currently have survey's live getting additional feedback from students and families on their perspective of what playful learning should look like in RCSD.
For students:
For parents and primary caregivers: