School-wide playday is a privilege that Fountain Valley High School gets to enjoy. Unstructured play allows creativity and imagination to go wild for students. This correlates to Peter Gray’s opinion on play and its benefits for kids. I think playday is a wonderful example that supports Gray’s beliefs about play. I have never once seen a kid without a smile on their face during play day. The variety of activities and the freedom given to kids allows anyone to play with anything in whichever way they please. One could choose to walk around with their friends. Alternatively, they could draw with chalk on the sidewalk. 

Playday provides a time to reset for students. Think about it from different perspectives. If I were an academic scholar who spent hours every day studying, a one-day break would be amazing. Having five classes every day for weeks straight is mentally draining. One day to completely detach from the school mindset would be healthy for the brains of students. Imagine if you were a student who worked a job after school for four hours. Seven hours of school and more hours of work are exhausting. Again, having a break to detach from work mode would be healthy for the brain. Not only that but having hours to play with your friends strengthens bonds and relaxes the mind. After weeks and months of constant work from school, a break is needed.

Unfortunately, some teachers are not on board with playday. Last year my Spanish teacher did not let any of his classes out for Playday. Instead, we continued our agenda for the class. I believe this choice is detrimental to the students. Denying the students from going out to play day would make most of the students not too fond of the teacher. Playday only happens once or twice a school year. The opportunity to enjoy playday is a rare occasion.

Perhaps more teachers should enjoy playday as well. Teachers work extremely hard to educate hundreds of students. Having a day off to play with students would relax them. Teachers playing games with their students could strengthen relationships as well. Last year, I saw two teachers team up and challenge any duo to a 2v2 in ping pong. Tens of students lined up to challenge the teachers. Having a playday for teachers and students provides a mental and physical reset for them.