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Investing in Attendance: Practical Leadership Strategies for Funding Recess and Play
Friday, October 16, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT
Investing in Attendance: Practical Leadership Strategies for Funding Recess and Play
Presented by Matthew Ginsburg, Principal, Chittick Elementary School (MA); Jessica Kott, Director of Special Programs, Westside Union School District (CA); and Elizabeth Cushing, CEO, Playworks
Sponsored by Playworks
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
You know belonging drives attendance. The harder question is how to pay for the work that builds it. This edLeader Panel gathers school and district leaders to talk openly about how they've invested in belonging- and attendance-focused work in their own schools and districts—where the dollars came from, how they made the case internally, and what they'd do differently next time.
The conversation is grounded in real experience, not theory: panelists share their own stories rather than prescribed tactics, so the insight stays practical and specific. The discussion also connects stronger attendance to funding mechanisms like ADA, reinforcing why belonging work belongs in the budget conversation, not just the culture conversation.
Timed for the start of the school year, when many leaders are already reassessing budgets, this session offers a timely, leader-to-leader look at turning belonging into a funded priority rather than an aspiration. Attendees leave with real funding examples and a stronger case to bring to their own boards and communities.
This recorded edLeader Panel will be of interest to elementary and middle school district leaders and school leaders.
About the Presenter
As the Principal of the Chittick, a K0-6 Boston Public School, Matthew Ginsburg’s leadership is defined by a commitment to academic innovation and strategic program development. With experience in educational leadership across both traditional public and public charter settings and a track record of enhancing student success, he and his team have fostered a learning environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. They’ve achieved this through cross-functional collaboration and a focus on using data and technology to improve instructional practices. Matthew’s approach prioritizes clear communication strategies and a strong organizational spirit, ensuring that every stakeholder is engaged and every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Jessica Kott is an award-winning educator with a distinguished background in classroom instruction, school administration, and district-level leadership. Currently serving as Director of Special Programs in Westside Union School District (WUSD), her career includes 10-plus years as an elementary classroom teacher and 12 years as a school principal serving students in TK-8th grade. She was honored as a WUSD Teacher of the Year in 2013 and the Association of California School Administrators’ Elementary Principal of the Year in 2016. Jessica also received an AV ACSA Region XV Charter Award Nomination for Valuing Diversity in 2025, for her assistance in helping build an autism program within WUSD. Jessica leads through hands-on instructional expertise with a strategic vision for student success. She specializes in building inclusive school settings, student growth, and districtwide community outreach programs, as well as prioritizing the social-emotional needs of students to drive academic and behavioral growth.
Elizabeth Cushing is the CEO of Playworks, a national organization leveraging the power of play to transform children’s well-being. Recognizing that play is vital in learning to relate to each other, Elizabeth works to ensure all kids have access to a safe and healthy recess experience at school every day. Elizabeth joined Playworks in 2004 and was named CEO in 2020. During her tenure, she has played a lead role in designing Playworks’ national scaling strategy, growing from a San Francisco Bay Area focus to a national organization reaching nearly 1 million children every year. For more than 30 years, Elizabeth has served in leadership roles in nonprofit organizations focused on youth development, children’s advocacy, and women’s issues. Elizabeth is a product of Oregon public schools, Stanford University, and the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs.
Join the Leadership Practices for Innovative Leaders community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Playworks is a national nonprofit that, for 30 years, has partnered with schools and districts to make recess a daily source of belonging and connection. Through professional training and on-the-ground coaching, Playworks helps school staff build safe, accessible play into recess, so kids feel connected, cared for, and excited to show up. Schools partnering with Playworks see stronger attendance, which often ties directly to funding schools receive. Learn more at playworks.org.
