Playworks and the Community Foundation of Utah Join Forces to Play it Forward

  1. Updates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Playworks and the Community Foundation of Utah Join Forces to Play it Forward

Salt Lake City, UT—May 11, 2021—Playworks announced today that it has joined forces with the Community Foundation of Utah to offer immediate relief to Computer Science educators throughout the state with strengthening classroom experiences through fun, engaging play-based resources. 

Play can help build community, foster strong relationships between teachers and students, and develop critical social and emotional skills that lead to success in and out of the classroom. For 10 years Playworks Utah has partnered with elementary schools to support educators with play-based strategies that improve both student and adult experiences at school by strengthening relationships, easing transitions, and enabling everyone to feel emotionally safe at school every day.

“Computer science educators have been uniquely challenged during the pandemic and have been doing an incredible job to build community,” said Chris Conard, Executive Director of Playworks Utah. “It is with gratitude that we Play it Forward and support them as they continue to foster relationships and develop skills in kids in our state.”

The resources available for Computer Science educators include: 

  • The Playworks School Reopening Workbook which offers guidance and practical tips that can be immediately applied on infusing play and playfulness in a COVID-safe way, 
  • Brain breaks that can be hosted by Playworks professionals directly with classes, 
  • Virtual consultations with Playworks experts, 
  • Keep Playing, a digital service which provides weekly curated games with SEL debrief questions and more.

Everyone in the state who spends even a portion of their position teaching computer science, including part-time teachers and librarians who teach a computer science course, qualify to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. 

 

###

About Playworks

Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s physical and emotional health. Playworks currently serves more than 61 schools in Utah, and reaches more than 31,961 students directly and through professional training services.

About the Community Foundation of Utah

The Community Foundation of Utah is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grantmaker and serves as Utah’s catalyst for philanthropy by fostering accessible, collaborative, and innovative giving in our communities, now and for generations to come. Since establishment in 2008, the organization has fostered nonpartisan community partnership and has facilitated over $55 million in grants to Utah’s nonprofit sector. For more information, go to www.utahcf.org, call 801.559.3005, or email info@utahcf.org.

Contact:
Beth Eisen, Head of Marketing and Communications, Playworks
973-615-1809 or beth.eisen@playworks.org

More Updates


January 10, 2023

Understanding the Complex Simplicities of Play ›

Play is a behavior that is natural and has existed for thousands of years and across species. It combines a set of made-up rules or norms and a willingness to explore. Researchers, scientists, and doctors have studied the effects of play on kids–and adults–and understand that this natural behavior has tremendous benefits. As the American…

August 24, 2021

Playworks Founder Jill Vialet Publishes ‘Why Play Works’ ›

Play brings out the best in every kid. Over the course of 25 years since Jill Vialet founded Playworks, she and her colleagues, as well as researchers and play experts, have demonstrated precisely how and why play works to help kids learn and grow in the most positive and healthy ways. Jill gathered stories from people…

March 25, 2021

Top 6 Games to Play Physically Distant with No Equipment ›

As more and more schools transition back to in-person learning, we know educators are looking for games that are physically-distant and don’t require equipment. The need for play is more important than ever due to the isolation that our kids have endured during COVID-19. Play encourages creativity, flexibility, teamwork, and other critical social skills. We’ve…