Playground Activity Leaders in Schools
Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS) is a playground leadership program adapted from Peel Health that encourages children to participate in safe, fun playground activities regardless of their gender, size, or ability.
School staff volunteer to receive training to initiate and supervise the program. They recruit student volunteers from grades 4 to 7 who receive training to plan and lead fun, safe activities for students in the primary grades during breaks in the school day.
Schools who run the PALS program have observed:
- increased physical activity in participating children
- decreased playground conflict and bullying
- increased leadership ability and self esteem in students through skill development in leadership, communication, problem-solving, organization, and cooperation
- increased community building between primary and junior grades
PALS is coordinated by a committee of staff from the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, the Waterloo Region District School Board and Region of Waterloo Public Health.
For more information about the PALS program in Waterloo Region, please contact:
Kathy Doherty-Masters
Healthy, Active Living Consultant
E-mail: Kathy.DohertyMasters@wcdsb.ca
Bill Shouldice
Manager of Co-Instructional Activities
Phone:
E-mail: bill_shouldice@wrdsb.on.ca
Julie Hill, RN
Public Health Nurse, Child and Family Health Promotion
Region of
Phone:
E-mail: JHill2@regionofwaterloo.ca