Indoor Recess

[Anonymous]

Every winter, my children grumble about too much indoor recess, particularly because they have to play in classrooms instead of running around in the gym or outside. And then they come home bouncing off the walls.

Does anyone else think that MCPS go overboard in keeping children inside too much? If so, I've started a Facebook page and a petition site to work to persuade the Board of Education to intervene on our children's behalf and implement a recess policy that requires schools to give our children active time each day.

If you feel as I do, please take a look and share with other parents:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/MCPS-Parents-Support-Outdoor-Recess-in-the-Cold/164312570280330?v=wall

Tx!

[Anonymous]

I don't have a problem with the policy. At our MCPS elementary, they go outside every day unless conditions are really extreme (they even went outside last week on the day it snowed, and the days it was FREEZING, although not on the day where it was freezing plus really windy). So far, I think the principal has made good judgments about when to go outside and when to stay inside. The flip side of keeping kids inside too much is insisting they go outside under conditions so uninviting that no one in his/her right mind would choose to be outside.

FWIW, I have a boy who loves to read and play board games, so perhaps indoor recess isn't a hardship for him. Still, I think the MCPS policy is sane and not overly restrictive. Just one person's opinion.

[Anonymous]

I agree its too restrictive. Maybe this varies by school. My son hasn't been out in almost 2 weeks.

[Anonymous]

DS is in a new school this year. So far, they have been out EVERY DAY except for 3 days since September. I so love this b/c DS would be a mess with long term indoor recess. 1.5 weeks ago DD was inside for recess for the entire week. That was the hardest week of the school year for me so far. She was a mess. So happy they are going outside again (even if it's only for 10 minutes). Today they will go outside 2x (it's a preschool). I brought her snowboots and all her winter gear (minus snowpants--as I do every day).

[Anonymous]

Yes - it is my one gripe so far with Kindergarten - not so much the indoor part - they seem to exercise good judgment on when to go out, but that once inside, there is no play- they always watch Between the Lions. I think it's partly a matter of not having enough space, but it's annoying.

[Anonymous]

Our school doubles up the classses during in door recess (sometimes)..might be as many as 60 kids in the classroom.. I'd send them out in any weather over that.

[Anonymous]

Wow, I had no idea it wasn't county wide. I'd love for them to go outside. My son's class hasn't been outside in weeks and he has been getting in "trouble" more (kindergarten) and I think he just has way too much energy. I'd love for the teacher even to have them do jumping jacks or run in place or something. 8 hours is a long time to have no physical activity. Especially for boys!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every winter, my children grumble about too much indoor recess, particularly because they have to play in classrooms instead of running around in the gym or outside. And then they come home bouncing off the walls.

Does anyone else think that MCPS go overboard in keeping children inside too much? If so, I've started a Facebook page and a petition site to work to persuade the Board of Education to intervene on our children's behalf and implement a recess policy that requires schools to give our children active time each day.

If you feel as I do, please take a look and share with other parents:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/MCPS-Parents-Support-Outdoor-Recess-in-the-Cold/164312570280330?v=wall

Tx!

I share your view. There is no such thing as bad weather - only inadequate clothing.

At my son's preschool, they went out no matter the weather - rain, shine, below freezing - and the kids thrived. Their bodies and brains need fresh air, and they need to experience weather of all kinds.

This practice is absurd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I had no idea it wasn't county wide. I'd love for them to go outside. My son's class hasn't been outside in weeks and he has been getting in "trouble" more (kindergarten) and I think he just has way too much energy. I'd love for the teacher even to have them do jumping jacks or run in place or something. 8 hours is a long time to have no physical activity. Especially for boys!

It is each principal's individual call.

[Anonymous]

I agree with you and it has been the same at my DS school. They only go out when the weather is above 30 degrees! Really! That's pretty much most of the winter around here. I have noticed a chance in his behavior when he doesn't get to run around. He gets into much more trouble because he needs a physical outlet. When he was in preschool they went out in all weather unless it was an extreme day. He has the clothes for the cold and loves being outside. I grew up in New England and Canada where if we waited for a "good" winter day we'd never leave the house or school. I have to say that since moving here it seems that many folks I meet are "afraid" of winter weather rather than imbracing it. It has created a level of weather "whimps" the moment the temperatures drop. We also grew up with the adage "its not bad weather its bad clothes." I spoke with our kindergarten teacher and she did say that its the administration's decision. She did get the kids outside the day it snowed and they loved it but the principal was not happy with her. I can understand if there are medical concerns for some of the kids but they need a break from the classroom and they need to run and play.

[Anonymous]

We complained about this when DC's were at Potomac Elementary. We were told that it's up to the principal at each school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with you and it has been the same at my DS school. They only go out when the weather is above 30 degrees! Really! That's pretty much most of the winter around here. I have noticed a chance in his behavior when he doesn't get to run around. He gets into much more trouble because he needs a physical outlet. When he was in preschool they went out in all weather unless it was an extreme day. He has the clothes for the cold and loves being outside. I grew up in New England and Canada where if we waited for a "good" winter day we'd never leave the house or school. I have to say that since moving here it seems that many folks I meet are "afraid" of winter weather rather than imbracing it. It has created a level of weather "whimps" the moment the temperatures drop. We also grew up with the adage "its not bad weather its bad clothes." I spoke with our kindergarten teacher and she did say that its the administration's decision. She did get the kids outside the day it snowed and they loved it but the principal was not happy with her. I can understand if there are medical concerns for some of the kids but they need a break from the classroom and they need to run and play.

You're lucky your principal has 30 degree policy. My DS's principal has a 40degree policy. And heaven forbid if there is any snow or if it looks like rain. No way will she let them go out. It is totally asinine.

[Anonymous]

Our school has a 32 degree policy. They have been out this week but not last week when it was super cold. Many kids (or their parents) just aren't dressed properly and a teacher can't allow any children to stay inside while she is outside with the rest of them.

[Anonymous]

Just an FYI- kids can't always run around in the gym during indoor recess becasue the gym teacher most likely has classes at that time. Why don't you let your children go out once they get home to get some of their energy out?

[Anonymous]

Thanks OP! I agree with your post and have signed the petition. I'm another New Englander who thinks the 32 degree restriction is absurd. Our elementary school also puts two classrooms together, often with just one aide supervising. It's hell on the active boys, who are reprimanded if they can't sit still on a mat until they are assigned a spot to cram themselves into for what are usually pretty underwhelming activities. My son doesn't hate it so much this year, but as a K student without a good group of friends in his class he found indoor recess just excruciating. They hand the kids a coloring page and have only a few other options to entertain 50 kids (a small tub of legos, puzzles with 600 pieces that are too complex to engage most 5yos.) I complained but got nowhere.