Outdoor Recess when it's cold/snow

[Anonymous]

I don't understand why they would cancel outdoor recess today. It happened until the snow started, it's not sticking to the blacktop, it's not slick or dangerous, but once the snow started falling, no one else is allowed outside. They don't do recess outside when it's cold, when it's snowing, it's ridiculous, kid's NEED to play and run around. If they aren't bundled up enough then the principal can send a letter "It's cold tomorrow! bring mittens!" there are a million gloves and jackets at the lost/found.

BTW they allow the school admin to make the call for outdoor vs indoor recess so if it's sticking in Urbana, that doesn't affect my ES in Bethesda where it isn't.

[Anonymous]

Highland View had outdoor. The kids had a blast.

[Anonymous]

I try and have outdoor recess as much as possible but you can't imagine the number of emails and calls I get from snow plow parents when their precious children have to go out in the 40's with a slight breeze. You really cannot please everyone but I do typically lean towards going outside whenever possible.

[Anonymous]

OP, this one is a school by school decision - some admin teams have kids out in all weather, and some call for indoor much more often. I think it’s fair to ask what cutoff they’re using.

Former lunch/recess aide

[Anonymous]

My kids had outdoor recess in the snow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Highland View had outdoor. The kids had a blast.

Oak View as well. I assume the other kids had a good time, my kid always prefers indoor recess.

[Anonymous]

Our elementary did have outdoor but our private nursery didn’t

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why they would cancel outdoor recess today. It happened until the snow started, it's not sticking to the blacktop, it's not slick or dangerous, but once the snow started falling, no one else is allowed outside. They don't do recess outside when it's cold, when it's snowing, it's ridiculous, kid's NEED to play and run around. If they aren't bundled up enough then the principal can send a letter "It's cold tomorrow! bring mittens!" there are a million gloves and jackets at the lost/found.

BTW they allow the school admin to make the call for outdoor vs indoor recess so if it's sticking in Urbana, that doesn't affect my ES in Bethesda where it isn't.

That is so nice of YOU to volunteer to supervise recess.

[Anonymous]

Blame the parents who are quick to complain about leaving poor Lilly and Johnny in the snow for less than hour.

Teachers prefer indoor too because it means they’re not out in the cold monitoring the playground.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I kind of wish there was a districtwide policy on this. Our school does indoor recess way too often and it bugs me. Even if it was just guidelines rather than requirements, having a policy to point to would make it easier for parents to politely "ask for clarification" on why there isn't outdoor recess on days there really should be.

[Anonymous]

I found it very disappointing that my kids at Bethesda Elementary had indoor recess every time it rained or was too cold, years ago (they're in college and high school now). The school claimed it was because some kids had no coats... and yet, in the lost and found, there were always a ton of coats. And we weren't rich at the time, and I could buy children's winter coats inexpensively in thrift stores of the area.

The school did not seem to realize that what prompts kids not to bring coats is that the heating is set too high in winter (and the A/C is too cold in summer, such that my daughter had to bring a cardigan to school). Even now, at BCC, my daughter just wears a hoodie to school in the winter, because she doesn't want to lug a huge winter jacket up multiple flights of stairs with her very heavy backpack, in the warmth of the building.

Fresh air and running about is really important for children, and it breaks up the stuffy winter days to ensure their brains get a little reset. I'm sure everyone would bring a coat if they knew recess would be outdoors...

[Anonymous]

Our school had outdoor recess today despite the snow. Kids loved it and they needed to move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, this one is a school by school decision - some admin teams have kids out in all weather, and some call for indoor much more often. I think it’s fair to ask what cutoff they’re using.

Former lunch/recess aide

This. Our cutoff is 38 and we look at the real feel as well if it's on the cusp. With that said, you can't make everyone happy. Some kids love indoor recess, some hate it. Some parents complain about going outside if it's cold, some parents think playing outside is crucial to development regardless of temperature.

FWIW, we stayed in today, temp was 37 at recess time and real feel was 25. We had one parent preemptively voice her concern about cold temperatures today when she dropped off and we had one parent send in a sweatshirt instead of a coat. Maybe I've got another parent complaining about me on dcum...oh well.

[Anonymous]

Maybe it’s just me, but I prefer that my child has indoor recess when it’s raining or snowing at school. The school day ends at 3:50, and she can still spend time outside afterward with proper clothing and under my supervision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, this one is a school by school decision - some admin teams have kids out in all weather, and some call for indoor much more often. I think it’s fair to ask what cutoff they’re using.

Former lunch/recess aide

This. Our cutoff is 38 and we look at the real feel as well if it's on the cusp. With that said, you can't make everyone happy. Some kids love indoor recess, some hate it. Some parents complain about going outside if it's cold, some parents think playing outside is crucial to development regardless of temperature.

FWIW, we stayed in today, temp was 37 at recess time and real feel was 25. We had one parent preemptively voice her concern about cold temperatures today when she dropped off and we had one parent send in a sweatshirt instead of a coat. Maybe I've got another parent complaining about me on dcum...oh well.

Are you in a decision-making role? Please reconsider if you are. There is data out there that shows kids benefit from running around, even in cold temps. Put out multiple reminders throughout November and December that parents need to bring coats to school because recess is outdoors, and you won't have any problems. Closing for 37 at recess is horrific. I know you don't care about one more person judging you, but really... it doesn't make any kind of sense.