Monica Yant Kinney: Finally at St. Malachy's, a proper place to play

By Monica Yant Kinney Inquirer Columnist When Anna Brown began teaching fifth grade at St. Malachy School in North Philadelphia 30 years ago, she learned that recess was a break in name only. "They played on concrete and loose gravel. It was so unsafe," recalls the 77-year-old retired educator still subbing for fun. "Some girls jumped rope and some boys played football, but mostly it was a lot of running around" in a cramped, fenced square next to the faculty's parked cars. Until Friday, Brown's daughter faced a similar problem: how to help her 21 kindergartners blow off steam using only pavement and their...