Safe, Included, and Engaged: How Playworks Transforms Recess at Durfee Elementary

When you think about safe and healthy play, what comes to mind for you? Take a moment and really think about it. What do you hear? What do you see? How does it feel? Think back to those days when you were a kid outside at recess. Are you playing with your friends, or trying to understand a new game everyone else is playing together?

At Playworks Michigan, we help partners create play environments where every student feels safe, included, and engaged -- while giving adults the tools and systems needed to reduce conflict and strengthen culture.

One of our cherished partnerships is Durfee Elementary School in Detroit, where we’ve partnered for the past two years. Through Playworks support, Durfee has strengthened recess systems, increased student engagement, and expanded leadership opportunities through our Junior Coach Leadership  program.

Here’s a moment shared by Coach Tommie, who supports Durfee:

“At recess, a student who was sitting off to the side looked really upset. Another adult tried to talk to them, but the student didn’t want to respond. After giving them time, I went over to check in. The student opened up right away. I realized they trusted me enough to share their feelings, and that really stuck with me.

Moments like that remind me why I joined Playworks, to build real relationships with students and help them feel seen, supported, and confident.”

This is what Playworks is all about: creating recess environments that help students build confidence, problem-solving skills, friendships, and a sense of belonging. Partner with Playworks through multiple models, including our TeamUp model (trained part-time Playworker support), or staff professional development sessions. Many schools also use Title II professional learning funding to support this work.

If your school is planning for 2026–2027 supports, we’d love to connect and explore what partnership could look like.

For more information on how Playworks can support your school community, please reach out to:
Mike Schulte, Regional Partnerships Manager — mike.schulte@playworks.org

Be the reason someone smiles today at recess.
Learn more about Playworks Michigan HERE.