Recess Game Room Builds Bonds at Seaford Middle School
Recess Game Room Builds Bonds at Seaford Middle School
The time-honored tradition of recess just got a whole lot better at Seaford Middle School. Half of the cafeteria was recently converted into a game room as part of an initiative that promotes positive social interaction and physical activity.
The new game room includes air hockey, foosball, knock hockey and pingpong tables as well as several electronic basketball games. There is also a video game station with a Nintendo Switch and large television screen for students to play Just Dance, Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros.
Lunch periods at the middle school are by grade level and there are two teams per grade. One team begins the midday break at recess while the other eats. They then switch after 20 minutes.
Principal Dr. Raphael Morey said that plans for the game room have been in the works since the summer, and the concept was recommended when the school applied for and received the Essential Elements Schools to Watch designation. The process included site visits to other area middle schools that have similar spaces, along with focus group meetings with sixth, seventh and eighth grade student leaders. The aim was to provide activities that students would enjoy along with a well-structured plan.
“We recognized that we wanted to give students a space within the building to have enhanced social opportunities and the time to do that was during lunch,” Dr. Morey said. “So far, it’s been a huge success.”
One of the biggest successes, Dr. Morey said, has been seeing new friendships blossom as students play games together and socialize. Engaging with others through activity is one of the strongest ways to build bonds, he said.
The game room debuted on March 3. Students can still go outside for recess when the weather permits, or go to the library for crafts. Dr. Morey expressed his gratitude to the Seaford Board of Education and central administration for supporting the effort to provide students with the additional option.
Eighth grader John DiDomenico gives the new game room high marks. He enjoys the basketball machines and having competitions with his friends. Because students are divided into two groups, he said the space is not too crowded and it has also cut down on the wait time to buy lunch.
“I love that you get to play games with your friends,” John said. “There’s a bunch of different variations of games. I like that we have the privilege to do this.”
