Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (P.A.L.S.)

Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (P.A.L.S.) is a playground leadership program. Peers take the lead to encourage ALL classmates to take part in activities.

How can P.A.L.S. make a difference at your school?

The P.A.L.S. program will benefit your students by:

• increasing their physical activity on the playground
• decreasing conflict and reducing playground bullying
• providing leadership opportunities and building Developmental Assets® for students.

Who developed the P.A.L.S. program?

The Region of Peel Public Health Department developed P.A.L.S. in 2003.

Halton Region adapted the program to prevent bullying and promote physical activity and youth engagement in Halton schools.

Developmental Assets® (external link) are added to the program to encourage healthy behaviours and development in students as they develop skills and relationships.

What staff supports do you need to begin a P.A.L.S. program?

To put a P.A.L.S. program In place at your school, you need to recruit:

• school staff who will train student leaders and support the program
• students in grades 4-6 who wish to act as playground leaders for younger students at recess

How do I access the P.A.L.S. resources?

• The P.A.L.S. program consists of several documents, all of which are available below for downloading.
• Permission is granted by Halton Region for the printing of these documents.

Program overview

• Program Overview (PDF file) – Provides an introduction to and summary of the P.A.L.S. Program and the eight steps for implementation.

Supervisor materials

• Supervisor Handbook (PDF file) – Describes the roles and responsibilities of a P.A.L.S. supervisor and provides instruction on how to launch and run the program.
• Facilitator Guide (PDF file) – To be used by P.A.L.S. supervisors to train students recruited as activity leaders. This resource is to be used in combination with Student Leader Handbook (see Student leader materials below).
• P.A.L.S. Program Details template (Microsoft Word)  – A template to help P.A.L.S. supervisors organize the P.A.L.S.program for their school. This document can be posted on a bulletin board and used as a reference for P.A.L.S. student leaders.
• P.A.L.S. Program Schedule (Monthly) template  (Microsoft Word) – A blank monthly calendar to assist P.A.L.S. supervisors in scheduling training days, regular P.A.L.S. meetings, and P.A.L.S. program days.
• P.A.L.S. Program Schedule (Weekly) template  (Microsoft Word) – A blank weekly calendar to assist P.A.L.S. supervisors in scheduling training days, regular P.A.L.S. meetings, and P.A.L.S. program days.

Student leader materials

• Student Application (Microsoft Word) – To be filled out by students who are interested in becoming P.A.L.S. leaders.
• Parent Permission Form  (Microsoft Word)– A sample parent consent letter template to be sent home with students who are interested in becoming P.A.L.S. leaders.
• Parent Information Letter  (Microsoft Word) – For schools who choose to use a pre-existing board-approved or school-approved parent consent form, the P.A.L.S. parent consent form has been adapted to serve as an information letter to parents of interested student leaders.
• Student Leader Handbook (PDF file) – For students who have been recruited to become P.A.L.S. leaders. To be used during P.A.L.S. student leader training sessions.
• Training Certificate (PDF file) – Provided to students at the end of the student leader training.
• Recognition Certificate (PDF file) – Provided to student leaders as an incentive (e.g., P.A.L.S. Leader of the Month), or upon completion of the P.A.L.S. program (at the end of the year).

Games and safety

• Games Book( (PDF file) – A collection of playground games (i.e. skipping, ball games) compiled by staff at Halton District School Board and Halton Health Department to be used by P.A.L.S. Supervisors and Student Leaders.
• Games Book (Games Ring Format) (PDF file) – This version of the Games Book has been formatted to allow P.A.L.S. Supervisors to laminate the pages and cut them in half to create weather-resistant flashcards or a games ring. (Note: Printing the document once will produce two copies of the Games Book).
• Equipment List (PDF file) – A list of all equipment required for every game included in the Games Book.
• Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines (external PDF file) – Guidelines developed by the Ontario Physical and Health Education Associations. This resource can be used as a reference to ensure safety on the playground (please also follow your school’s safety guidelines).

Program feedback

• P.A.L.S. Program Feedback (Microsoft Word) – Discusses how to collect feedback about P.A.L.S. at your school in order to learn if activities were worthwhile, identify any problem areas, and inspire new ideas.
• Supervisor Feedback Form (Microsoft Word) – A sample survey for P.A.L.S. Supervisors to complete at the end of the program (usually at the end of the year).
• Student Leader Feedback Form (Microsoft Word) - A sample survey for P.A.L.S. Student Leaders to complete at the end of the program (usually at the end of the year).

Additional resources

Bullying Prevention

• PREVNet(external link)

Developmental Assets®

• Developmental Assets® at Halton Region

Youth engagement

• Ladder of Youth Voice(external link)
• “Youth Friendly” Meetings (external PDF file)

Funding opportunities

• Funding Opportunities Supporting Healthy Schools and Communities in Ontario(external link)