Comments on: City Schools of Decatur Increases Recess Time

By: Belle

Belle — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:18:11 +0000

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.

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 20:15:48 +0000

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!

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:48:54 +0000

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.

By: AnotherRick

AnotherRick — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 03:06:34 +0000

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.

By: Decaturmama

Decaturmama — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:48:21 +0000

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.

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 19:36:08 +0000

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.

By: tiptoe

tiptoe — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 18:50:20 +0000

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.

By: smalltowngal

smalltowngal — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 18:45:44 +0000

“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.