Exploring how identity, boundaries, and belonging collide on the playground   The ball never bounces evenly in winter. On frozen asphalt, it ricochets, high, low, sideways, unpredictable. What should be a steady rhythm becomes erratic. You cannot quite anticipate where it will land next. Recess during the tween years feels the same. It is the most unstructured part of the school day. The bell rings, and children spill into cold air with no script, no curriculum, no grading ru