Lunch & Learn: The Power of Recess

"Parents, teachers, kids – everybody loves recess!" said Luis Soria, principal at a Chicago school that reinstated recess last year.

Yet recess is disappearing at an alarming rate at schools throughout Chicago and the U.S.

Join Healthy Schools Campaign for an informative, practical (and fun!) look at the power of play in combating childhood obesity, increasing student achievement, cutting down on behavior problems and engaging your community. Lunch will be catered by Chicago's popular Wishbone restaurant.

We’ll hear from a diverse panel of experts leading meaningful change to make recess a reality for all children:

Vanessa Foster of Rescuing Recess, a campaign launched by the Cartoon Network to draw attention the important benefits of physical activity and to recruit recess volunteers across the country

Susan Kurland, Director of HSC’s Principals for Healthy Schools Project and former principal of Nettlehorst School, a shining example of how we can incorporate recess and wellness into the school experience

Toby Tate, Dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences for the University of Illinois at Chicago, who will discuss the importance of physical activity for child development

Parent from a Chicago school that has successfully reinstated recess

Don’t miss this important discussion of the ways we can develop strategies to ensure that the benefits of recess are part of every child’s school experience.