Does your school take away recess time as punishment?

[Anonymous]

I've heard complaints from parents with kids at other schools that their kids lost recess time as a consequence for bad behavior. This is strictly against PGCPS policy and I'm interested what your experiences have been.

We had one instance where my child reported that they had lost recess time because they were rowdy in the classroom. I immediately contacted the Principal and although they immediately spoke to the teacher about it.

[Anonymous]

Yes, at my child's school, they take away recess time as punishment. In fact this was even detailed in a newsletter that was sent home to parents from the principal. I'm not sure if they skirt around the policy because they don't take away the full recess (they'll let you keep 5 minutes of your measly 15 minute recess), but actually, reading the actual policy now, it definitely violates the administrative procedure.

[Anonymous]

They do it at our school too and like a previous poster said, they will give the child 5 minutes of play to not break the rule. Pg county schools really do suck

[Anonymous]

What would you prefer? Let your kid disrupt others with no consequences?

[Anonymous]

They might have to walk laps or something during recess. That's obviously the response to the Mommys who will complain that little Jacob "needs to get his energy out!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They do it at our school too and like a previous poster said, they will give the child 5 minutes of play to not break the rule. Pg county schools really do suck

Then the school is breaking the rules and parents can call them out on it. They are required per the policy to provide at least 15 minutes of recess and they are prohibited from " the use of food, physical activity, recess, or physical education as a reward or punishment.".

[Anonymous]

There are other ways that teachers can and do manage their classrooms effectively without breaking PGCPS policy. All research points to the conclusion that our kids do not get enough physical activity during the school day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are other ways that teachers can and do manage their classrooms effectively without breaking PGCPS policy. All research points to the conclusion that our kids do not get enough physical activity during the school day.

Take them to the park after school and let them run around for Pete's sake. Parent your children.

[Anonymous]

Teacher here. You can thank ineffective parents for this policy. Specifically, the ones who aren't willing to discipline at home and aren't responding to my emails detailing Snowflake's disruptive behavior. Apart from missing 1/3 of 1/2 of total recess time, these kids have no incentive to stop the disruptions and then ALL my kids suffer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are other ways that teachers can and do manage their classrooms effectively without breaking PGCPS policy. All research points to the conclusion that our kids do not get enough physical activity during the school day.

Take them to the park after school and let them run around for Pete's sake. Parent your children.

Wow! Way to judge other parents. You must be super proud of your self righteous soapbox.
My kids do go to the park after school nearly every day. Little kids need lots of opportunities to go out and run around with their peers. They need to clear their heads, get some fresh air, and yes, get some energy out.

If you have a different opinion, you should go and read the scientific literature on the topic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They might have to walk laps or something during recess. That's obviously the response to the Mommys who will complain that little Jacob "needs to get his energy out!"

Who supervises Snowflake as he walks on the track, amid other classes having PE on the track? As a teacher, should I forego my 15 minutes of classroom prep for the second half of the day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. You can thank ineffective parents for this policy. Specifically, the ones who aren't willing to discipline at home and aren't responding to my emails detailing Snowflake's disruptive behavior. Apart from missing 1/3 of 1/2 of total recess time, these kids have no incentive to stop the disruptions and then ALL my kids suffer.

I understand that it must be extremely frustrating as a teacher to have to deal with out of control kids but there is a written policy on taking away recess as a punishment. How could you justify breaking that policy if you were called out on it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They might have to walk laps or something during recess. That's obviously the response to the Mommys who will complain that little Jacob "needs to get his energy out!"

Who supervises Snowflake as he walks on the track, amid other classes having PE on the track? As a teacher, should I forego my 15 minutes of classroom prep for the second half of the day?

I don't know. My 2nd child got this two or three times in K. It was my impression that the teacher was out there with the kids, anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They might have to walk laps or something during recess. That's obviously the response to the Mommys who will complain that little Jacob "needs to get his energy out!"

Who supervises Snowflake as he walks on the track, amid other classes having PE on the track? As a teacher, should I forego my 15 minutes of classroom prep for the second half of the day?

And if you read the policy you can't used physical exercise as a punishment...so no forced laps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. You can thank ineffective parents for this policy. Specifically, the ones who aren't willing to discipline at home and aren't responding to my emails detailing Snowflake's disruptive behavior. Apart from missing 1/3 of 1/2 of total recess time, these kids have no incentive to stop the disruptions and then ALL my kids suffer.

Not understanding why ALL the children must get in trouble. Let the one kid stay inside. Put his ass in another class. Put him with the gym teacher, the music, the art, the admin team.