Global School Play Day: Students And Teachers Joined In On The Day Of Fun

NORTH BELLMORE, NY — The North Bellmore School District celebrated Global School Play Day on Thursday.

This initiative promotes the benefits of unstructured play, and the Park Avenue Elementary School teacher said she encouraged students to play a variety of games brought from home. She also led games for the entire class. The fourth-grade teacher, Lauren Manginelli, participated in the fun.

"I get to be a kid, too, today," she said.

Fifth-grade teacher Jenna Stack brought in a basketball hoop, fort-building kit, and a hockey net and sticks for the kids. She transformed a table into a ping pong table and set up a crafts table.

"This is my favorite day of the year," Stack said. "I love that they get to be kids for a day, and I love seeing the excitement. They just have so much fun."

Principal Dr. Lynn Coyle said she stopped into some of the classrooms to participate, too, hearing the laughter fill the hallways.

"Global School Play Day is a special opportunity for our students to collaborate, imagine and learn through unstructured play during the school day," she said. "Watching their creativity, teamwork and joy reminds us that play is an essential part of childhood and a powerful way to build social and problem-solving skills."