How does your DCPS or charter handle recess, lunch, other socializing, and schedule balance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's no way 15 minute recess is what they intend-- I don't think that's even allowed. I would think it's maybe a staffing or scheduling issue, or poor classroom control. The school isn't going to admit to that, of course because they won't want to admit they're breaking city guidance or not in the right ratio or not compiant with someone's IEP or whatever the real reason may be. But you can ask the teacher about it, then escalate to the AP if it doesn't improve. That way they'll know parents are watching.

I think that some amount of recess is mandated, so if they're not doing that, it's a problem.

DCPS mandates 30 minutes, so I guess it's a charter?

OP said DCPS.

[Anonymous]

OP here and it is a DCPS.

I was shocked when they told us 15 minutes of recess in the fall. But that part is not from my kid -- the teacher confirmed the schedule only has a 15 minute recess when we attended BTS back in October. I know for a time they were trying to do an extra recess by using this flex period they have with their specials time, and I think they did do that in the fall when the weather was good, but it sounds like it's been hard to make that happen on cold days and since coming back from holiday breaks.

[Anonymous]

Going outside in cold weather is a chronic cultural problem in DCPS. Many parents have struggled with it, including me, but it's really intractable.

15 minutes is definitely not okay, I would check with your AP and ask why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here and it is a DCPS.

I was shocked when they told us 15 minutes of recess in the fall. But that part is not from my kid -- the teacher confirmed the schedule only has a 15 minute recess when we attended BTS back in October. I know for a time they were trying to do an extra recess by using this flex period they have with their specials time, and I think they did do that in the fall when the weather was good, but it sounds like it's been hard to make that happen on cold days and since coming back from holiday breaks.

Then they are out of compliance.

[Anonymous]

Our DCPS elementary does silent lunch for the first 10 min and then kids can talk. Many kids were not eating since they spent all of lunch chatting which is why this was implemented and I'm fine with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Going outside in cold weather is a chronic cultural problem in DCPS. Many parents have struggled with it, including me, but it's really intractable.

15 minutes is definitely not okay, I would check with your AP and ask why.

I agree, but from what OP says this isn't weather related.

[Anonymous]

Are you at a DCPS title 1 or poorly performing school OP because those schools are the 1st to cut back on recess and are too heavily academic in the younger years since kids are so behind.

It’s not developmentally appropriate but administrators are under intense pressure to bring up scores.