Improve Outcomes for Pacific NW Kids through Play

Teachers at King Elementary School in northeast Portland had described recess as chaotic, rough and lacking organized games. Then, four years ago, a trained Playworks coach named Sam Balto entered the picture and turned the students’ play time into an opportunity to nurture common values such as respect, inclusion and healthy play. With hard work and constant practice, King students changed what recess looks like and, in the process, created a community.

Here Coach Balto shares the story of how one student’s life was transformed:

A fourth grade student named Reggie* has severe cerebral palsy. When I first arrived at King Elementary School as a Playworks Coach, Reggie would sit in his wheelchair during recess and watch his classmates play kickball, basketball, foursquare and other games.

As a Playworks Coach, my job is to encourage and empower students to interact with each other in a respectful manner and find ways for everyone to have fun. After watching Reggie stuck on the sidelines, I thought he needed to have a different recess experience.

During class game times, I discussed the situation with fourth and fifth grade students. I explained that Reggie wasn’t playing because, in order to participate, he needed other students to help him. When I asked the students if anyone would like to volunteer to help Reggie, I was hoping five to ten students would offer. To my surprise, dozens of hands went up. Out of 60 students in three classes, 33 wanted to help.

The response was overwhelming. Interest in helping came from Junior Coaches, members of the afterschool program and athletes on Playworks teams. The pool of students who wanted to help included some of the most challenging students in the school - students who normally don’t volunteer.

Every day, three or four designated students ate with Reggie during lunch. Then they went outside to interact with him and even modify games so all of them could play together. Anyone on the playground could see how much fun Reggie was having. The patience and care his classmates showed him was visible. Reggie felt like he was part of recess now, and not just an outsider looking in. 

I have experienced few things as moving as watching these young students include Reggie and make him part of the community. The students who helped him are known at King Elementary School as “Game Changers” and they truly are.

*The student’s name has been changed to protect his identity.