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February 5, 2026

Chatterton Embraces the Power of Play

Chatterton recently celebrated Global School Day of Play - a special opportunity to promote connection, creativity, collaboration, and social-emotional learning through meaningful, student-driven play. 

Organized by school social worker Marisa Taddeo, the first 45 minutes of the day were dedicated to socialization and peer play. 

“Play is a powerful tool for social emotional growth,” Taddeo explained. “Opportunities like the Global School Day of Play allow our students to practice important social skills in an authentic way. Days like today reinforce that learning doesn’t stop at academics, it happens through connection and shared experiences as well.” 

Students engaged in non-electronic activities such as board games, strategy games, card games, puzzles, and other shared play experiences that encouraged teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. 

Each grade level also focused on a specific SEL skill or strategy, introduced during morning meeting and intentionally practiced during play. For example, kindergartners focused on turn-taking and sharing.  

“When you take turns, you have to learn to wait your turn, you have to learn to share and you have to learn to let everyone have a turn so we can be fair,” teacher Jenna Russo explained.  

In grade 4, Brittany Grassi focused her SEL lesson on “problem solving when something goes wrong.” 

Teachers followed up with student reflections to deepen learning, while the multi-purpose room was transformed into a game room for indoor recess at lunchtime. 

As a bonus, Feb. 4 was a no-homework day - giving students even more time to enjoy the power of play with their families as well. 

Students participate in a classroom activity with colorful objects.   Children work together, building with colorful blocks on the floor.   A teacher and student examine Uno cards in a classroom setting.   Three young children play together at a blue table, focused on a toy.   A group of children smiles while playing a board game at a table.   Two teachers and a student collaborate at a desk in a classroom.   Two students sit at a desk in a classroom, looking at the camera.   A teacher sits with a group of children in a colorful classroom setting.   Two boys play a game of chess at a table in a classroom.