Peaceful Playgrounds Play Nice! News and Grants & Brain Breaks

Brain Breaks: Basic vs Supercharged

250 Teacher Created Brain Breaks-FREE

Well designed Brain Breaks accomplish three purposes: 1) they refresh students, 2) they refocus students for learning, and 3) they energize students.

Every teacher has experienced the glazed look from students who basically need a break. When kids get tired or bored, they tend to check out. Once kids begin to check out--they are no longer learning!

A basic "brain break" is a 2 to 3 minute break from the topic currently being taught, combined with a movement activity. The best kind of a brain break is a Super Charged Brain Break which entails a movement activity linked to an academic concept that has a double punch by reinforcing an academic concept and introduces a new movement concept or exercise.

This curated set of teacher-created brain breaks include: brain break cards, tokens, exercise cards, Roll-a-Reward dice, and brain break activity sticks. View and download the sets here. Please note you will need to join the Teachers Pay Teacher site to get access to the downloads.

President's Youth Fitness Program Grant

Deadline approaching for the President's Youth Fitness Program. Applications due January 31, 2014. Awards announced April 1, 2014. Download application worksheet here.

Looking for grants for your playground or for a school garden? Check out our website grants page.

PEP Funded at $74.5 Million

Good News for PEP Grants! PEP Receives $74.5 million in FY2014 Budget Bill! Congress completed work on a bill to fund the government for the remainder of FY2014 and the Carol White Physical Education Program (PEP) also received $74.5 million. "PEP continues to defy the odds in a time of tight budgets and receives level funding", commented Bill Sells, VP Government Relations for SFIA. "We've come a long way over the past decade. The healthy lifestyle message has resonated with Congress and funding of PEP is a great indicator of the importance in getting America's young people started on a lifetime of physical activity."

Smart From the Start Grants

Smart From the Start Grants for healthy habits!

Share your plan for promoting lifelong healthy habits in your preschool or Head Start program! The winning preschool will be awarded $20,000 and ten runners-up will each receive $2,500. PLUS, each winning school will receive their own prize pack of books!

See more at: http://www.togethercounts.com/sfts/application/start#sthash.hIHFfbw9.dpuf or Start the application here.

Deadline: 2/28/2014

Find Your Balance Grants

The Find Your Balance Challenge is open to elementary school classrooms in grades K-5 and rewards student teams for taking steps toward achieving Energy Balance in your own school communities.

Winning schools have a chance to win a $30,000 Grand Prize Grant. One Second Place winning class will receive a $10,000 grant. One Third Place school will receive a $5,000 grant.

Deadline: 1/31/2014

Together Counts Grants Information.

Celebrating Communities of Color

The Celebrating Communities of Color Grants Program was established 10 years ago in recognition of the Foundation's 50th anniversary and aligns with General Mills' commitment to diversity, which is a company core value and a key business strategy. Program focus areas include: Hunger & Nutrition Wellness, Education, Arts and Culture, and Family Services.

Grants ranging from $ 10,000 - $60,000 will be awarded. Non-profits and schools in the Twin Cities area are encouraged to apply.

Deadline: February 3, 2014

Application information

Toolbox for Education Grants

The Lowe's Foundation is accepting applications for its Toolbox for Education Grant Program. The purpose of this program is to support school improvement projects at K-12 public schools in the United States. For the 2012-13 school year program, the foundation will give priority to supporting the basic needs of communities. Projects that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit are encouraged.

Grants up to $5,000 will be awarded. Any individual nonprofit public K-12 school or parent group associated with a nonprofit public K-12 school is eligible to apply.

Deadline: February 15, 2013

Application

Peaceful Playgrounds Grant Resources

Don't forget to visit our grants page for templates and grant writing tips or attend a Grant Writing 101 Webinar.

Stencil Giveaway

Enter your school today in the Learn to Play U.S. Playground Map Stencil Giveaway. The beautiful geographically and proportionately accurate educational map stencil is 16 feet by 27 feet and extends the classroom curriculum to recess and outdoor play. History and geography comes alive with the games and activities included in the stencil set.

Enter Your School Today!

Free Webinars

Learn how to create a playground that really works! Webinars are 45 minutes long with an informative 15 minute question and answer session. No special software is necessary for you to easily participate right at your computer. Register early, space is limited. Select your subject and act now to attend a free webinar of your choice at a time that fits your schedule.

Select Your Free Webinar!

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Save

Over 50%

Set of 6

Rugs

$599

2- Go Games

The new 2 Go Indoor Games Program Kit includes everything you need to create and implement an exciting indoor Peaceful Playground activity in your classroom, church or daycare center.

The perfect solution for after school programs, rainy/snow day activities, physical education stations, volunteer led activities, youth groups, YMCA's and many more.

Great for Brain Break Activities. Includes (6) 2-Go Game Rugs and 180 game cards. Game rugs integrate academic concepts in a fun manner.

While Supply Lasts.

Offer Expires: Feb. 28, 2014 Discount applied at check out.