Jim points to this article on the WABE website that reports City Schools of Decatur have altered the recess policy from “not to exceed 15 minutes a day” to “not less than 20 minutes a day”.
The article states that a group of parents lobbied CSD for the change.
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On a related note:
Maureen Downey, AJC school blogger posts recommendations from a retired APS/Fulton teacher. Point 2 talks to this issue.
Thanks to the parents who championed this change. Was entirely unaware that there was a “not to exceed 15 minutes” rule. Seems like a throwback to nationwide knee jerk reaction that South Korea was pulling ahead of us in math. (not that this isn’t an issue, but it’s good to recognize that kids need the physical side as well).
-guy who could really use “not less than 20 minutes a day”, but probably couldn’t “exceed 15 minutes a day” without hacking a lung.
Kudos to CSD for changing the policy to something that reflects the value of Recess, vs a policy that frames it something that is a constrained distraction to limit.
There is so much research being done to point to the benefits of physical activity and PLAY in PE and in recess. As well as the value of other less classically academic subjects. We can be proud as a district that we continue to value music, art, PE and recess.
I would also like to note from the WABE write up, it compares us to our neighbors that have fairly unenlightened recess policies. So in our area CSD may be a leader. However, this new policy gets us closer to what happens in many districts/schools nationwide.
I know friends with similar age kids in other states have multiple breaks. Their PTA also has to raise their own money for Music teachers but that’s another story.
This policy won’t always be easy for teachers to implement in already such busy days, so I hope our community will be pleased that teacher’s/admin are trying to move in the right direction rather than using the new rules to demand enforcement.
I am no scholar but I loved this quote from a book and I think it serves as a good reminder as to why thinking of the WHOLE CHILD (Whole person) makes the most sense. New research reminds us of this, but hey, we’ve known it for centuries and centuries….
In order for man to succeed in live, God provided him with two means, education and physical activity. Not separately, on for the soul and the other for the body, but for the two together. With these two means, man can attain perfection – Plato
Beautiful example of constructive input from parents leading to meaningful change. Thanks, all.
DM, please bookmark this page as reference for future charges that CSD administration doesn’t heed parental input.
I think one of Garrett Goebel’s campaign platforms was protecting and expanding recess in CSD. I’m sure having him on the board helped this effort a lot.
I know he worked hard for this. Administrative decisions and operations are not the purview of the School Board, but Board members can ask good questions, request data, and approve policy.
Recess is so important! Kids need a chance to chatter and burn off energy and move! I’m glad CSD made this move. Hopefully other school districts will follow the lead.
teachers do have a lot to squeeze into every day but i know from being in the classroom that regular physical activity helps the children focus better throughout their day. that equals more teaching/learning time and less time re-directing the wiggles that can crop up. mad props to csd and the parents that led this fight!!
Here is the link to the new language:
https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?PC=IEDA&Sch=4052&S=4052&RevNo=2.12&C=I&Z=P
It applies to K-5. Students in grades 6 – 12 do not get an unstructured break, and for part of the year do not get a chance to have P.E. either.
Chewey’s reference to the Maureen Downey article is interesting (Thanks Chewey!) On this point, it says:
“2. All students (K-12) need daily physical activity, both recess and structured physical education. Many students need to get rid of excess energy. Others need to lose weight and get in shape. Further, many discipline problems result from making children sit all day in a classroom. Physical education should be a part of all students’ (k-12) daily schedule. It should be demanding and rigorous, resulting in an elevated heart rate and some sweating. Only athletes get that kind of physical education now.”
I would agree with that; if a student doesn’t play for a team, it appears that they are on their own even if they would love to have P.E. every day. That’s been a source of student unhappiness. I can understand arguments for and against using school time for this in the upper grades. In our family, it means we encourage and support extra curricular physical activity.
The link to the Downey post is here:
http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2012/08/29/retired-teacher-make-admins-teach-reduce-testing-eliminate-gifted-restore-recess/
Finally, thanks to the Board for the poll, the discussion, and the change. Glad we are rid of the self-defeating “I’m taking away recess because you can’t still still.”
+ 1 for “Glad we are rid of the self-defeating “I’m taking away recess because you can’t still.” ” I don’t know how they do it–1 hour volunteering in an elementary classroom exhausts me and requires a hot bath and nap to recover–but a great teacher understands that only a minority of young students learn best sitting straight and still with their hands folded for hours on end.
I know the Renfroe 7th graders have been complaining about the no recess policy – a few even wrote up a petition and sent it to Mr Thomas.
I think we parents should push for recess beyond K-5.
I think the argument could be made that a bunch of awkward, moody, impulsive, hormone infested adolescents need recess even more than the elementary kids who are not afflicted with such conditions.
One of the posts above states that children in 6 through 12 do not get a break and some have no PE. Now that the Board has recognized the benefit of unstructured activity for the younger children, what is the rational for not extending this new policy to all students? I say good for the Middle School students circulating a petition. As a 60’s student activist, I have plenty of ideas on how to get your voice heard. Just ask me!
“I say good for the Middle School students circulating a petition.” — Couldn’t agree more. In fact, why not make it a policy to withhold things they want, so they get the opportunity to practice and experiment with pursuing change.
So how far would the students need go with their demands until the Board makes a change in policy. And do you have a suggestion for the students if there is no change.
Media attention (starting here, of course), Facebook, Twitter, and I’m sure that there’s some social media venue dedicated to underage protestors. E-petition! Recess Aid Concert! Free recess! Middle schoolers unite! Don’t be surprised if you see QR codes for online petition signing at the Book Festival!
We have to remember that most 6th graders are only 11 years old when they enter middle school so they are developmentally more like children in the latency period of childhood than like teenagers. The trick is probably to make sure that the experience is more like recess with physical activity than small cliques of girls standing around and texting about one another.
A recent Slate story mentions a quote from the Atlanta school superintendent back in the 1980s:
“We are intent on improving academic performance. You don’t do that by having kids hanging on the monkey bars.”
http://slate.me/PriIYZ
I am thankful that the pendulum is swinging back, even if it’s just a few minutes more recess.
It’s interesting – it was on the table to encourage recess or unstructured breaks for kids above grade 5 but that didn’t get included. I’m glad they increased the recess for the lower school, but I do think middle school and even high school kids need a break.
Frankly, I could use recess at work, but I don’t think CSD can do much about that.
Isn’t that what reading DM is?
I’m also happy with the new change, but this is only a drop in the bucket. In the revised policy, recess can still be used as a disciplinary measure. In my experience, this exacerbates the problem as kids with behavioral issues tend to need the movement breaks the most. Short sighted, in my opinion, in many cases. Additionally, there needs to be recess for the older kids. We all need breaks.
The push for this change was headed primarily by one very dedicated parent (not me…though I wrote letters of support on multiple occasions). She has worked diligently for years to come this far. If you feel strongly about this, PLEASE make your voice heard by contacting your school and the board/superintendant. I found the board/superintendant to be very responsive to my emails. The petition by the students also sounds like a fabulous idea.
Yes, kudos to Garrett and all the parents who lobbied to make this change. I wholeheartedly agree with the group that we need to extend the policy beyond the K-5 level and that we need to continue lobbying the Board for additional changes.
Another part is the implementation and to ensure that the Principals and teachers do not allow recess to be taken away for minor infractions. I know that one of the Principals at the Elementary School told the teachers at the staff meeting, the day after the Board changed the policy, that it was okay to take away recess. We need to make sure that the Policy is followed and that we do what is right for all our children.