The Rite Play program provides schools with structured physical and recreational activities for pupils during lunch hour, an effective way to prevent intimidation, violence and other forms of inappropriate behaviour.

The schoolyard is often the site of difficult situations for primary school pupils during unstructured recess periods and during lunch hour. Often there are cases of intimidation, violence, and other inappropriate behaviour or language. Rite Play program provides schools with structured physical and recreational activities for pupils during lunch hour recess, an effective way to prevent intimidation, violence and other forms of inappropriate behaviour. The Rite Play program is designed to correct this situation by encouraging participation of all children in structured activities so that no one feels left out during recess periods.

Three to four days a week, the Westmount Y centre sends youth workers to Roslyn School to organize structured activities for children in primary school grades 1 to 6 during lunch hour. When the pupils cannot play outside due to poor weather, the youth workers go from classroom to classroom to hold games.

This program has been received with much enthusiasm. The pupils enjoy having the chance to take part in structured games and sports during their lunch hour and they are delighted to learn different team games that they can engage in by themselves if no supervisors are present. Rite Play has also helped reduce the number of cases of intimidation, aggression, and inappropriate behaviour and language during recess periods. Furthermore, it has encouraged the children to use their energy positively.

For more information, please contact Chris Lockhart at the Westmount Y centre,
514 931-8046, ext. 237.