Roanoke Students Enjoy Global School Play Day

February 24, 2025

Roanoke Students Enjoy Global School Play Day

Roanoke Avenue Elementary School Brings Fun, Creativity, and Skill Development Together

RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK (FEBRUARY 2025)—Roanoke Avenue Elementary School recently participated in Global School Play Day, a special day that encouraged students to learn about and form positive relationships with their peers through valuable play.

Global School Play Day began in 2015, when Rochester City School District partnered with Healthi Kids to ensure children were receiving enough unstructured playtime to support their growth and education. It is now celebrated in 75 countries and across the United States. Roanoke Avenue Elementary School has engaged in Global School Play Day for nearly a decade.

“While it is only a one-day event, the hope is to highlight the many developmental benefits of unstructured play,” said Roanoke Avenue Elementary School Assistant Principal Gary Karlson. “It is an opportunity to show our students that our efforts to support their fulfillment of their academic potential are complemented by the importance of soft skills, including collaboration and emotion management.”

Roanoke students engaged in hands-on play that was both enjoyable and developed essential executive functioning skills, such as perspective, flexible thinking, and impulse control. The activities also incorporated choice-making and creativity to meaningfully contribute to student well-being.

“When I asked one of our second-grade students about his favorite part of Global School Play Day, he responded, without hesitation, ‘Everything,’” said Mr. Karlson.

For more information about the Riverhead Central School District, please visit the district’s website at www.riverhead.net. Happenings in the district can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/riverheadCSD. #BlueWavesPride.