Talk me down re kindergarten at an arl school

[Anonymous]

Is it possible they went outside for recess and it started raining, so they came inside? It did rain today, and they tend to bring the kids inside so they're not sitting around in wet clothes for the rest of the day.

I wouldn't necessarily believe everything my 5-year-old said as gospel, especially in a brand-new environment. But by all means, make a major, expensive decision like private school based on 3 days of experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP,
Pick your battles. It is quite doubtful that the kids are only getting 10 minutes of recess--especially the first week of school. And, your child is not the only one and right before or right after school is never the right time to catch the teacher. She has many other things on her mind that she needs to take care of.
Wait a few days before you put her on the spot about the recess. It's is unlikely they are only getting ten minutes and it makes you look like "that" mom.

Aww, nuts. Well, if I was going to pick a battle, adequate recess and socialization is a hill I'll die on.

I didn't put her on the spot about anything. I came in to pick up and asked how the day went in general, mostly as a point of conversation, not to be "that" mom or any other mom. Just hey, how did it go on day 2? To be friendly.

Anyway...I'll keep it in check until BTS night, when I plan to ask about both recess AND the use of technology in the classroom! I'm a real treat!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it possible they went outside for recess and it started raining, so they came inside? It did rain today, and they tend to bring the kids inside so they're not sitting around in wet clothes for the rest of the day.

I wouldn't necessarily believe everything my 5-year-old said as gospel, especially in a brand-new environment. But by all means, make a major, expensive decision like private school based on 3 days of experience.

That IS possible. Thanks. I wasn't paying attention to the weather much today (was inside all day myself).

If I pulled him, I would give it at least a month and I would not have a clue about where I'd send him. Private school is financially not in the cards for us.

[Anonymous]

My kid is in Science Focus, and got double recess in K. They might have only had one recess on PE days, but I think it was every day.

Now, in K, in the early part of the year, getting all the kids to buy or open all their lunches takes a very long time which could cut into that recess.

And seriously, your kid has an inherent sense of time to know "ten minutes" to tell you reliably at the end of the day how long it was? Impressive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in Science Focus, and got double recess in K. They might have only had one recess on PE days, but I think it was every day.

Now, in K, in the early part of the year, getting all the kids to buy or open all their lunches takes a very long time which could cut into that recess.

And seriously, your kid has an inherent sense of time to know "ten minutes" to tell you reliably at the end of the day how long it was? Impressive.

No, if you read upthread, I say that it is on the schedule as 15 minutes and he said it was shortened today. I sort of rounded down a bit. The teacher was standing there when he said it so I assume (I know, assuming...) that someone would correct him if it wasn't in fact shortened. (He actually has zero sense of time.)

At any rate, I'm going to tell myself that it was the weather, it was the PE today, they had movement breaks in the day otherwise (although I do not count those - see above re: socialization and value of free play at this age). And, also, maybe I'll conclude that he is not mature enough (summer birthday) to be in this 1st-2nd-grade-esque classroom. I'm not at all a tiger mom, I don't care about test scores, I don't push my kid, and I have graduate degrees in child development. I'm not remotely impressed by smart boards, technology, or short recesses in favor of academics at this age.

Anyway, thanks all. This thread is welcome to die now.

[Anonymous]

My kid was in 1st grade at APS.
I had him to a trial day at a Catholic school nearby, just to see. No pressure.

He came out and said, "So MUCH RECESS!"

I explained they probably broke recess into smaller chunks.

They actually have one in the morning and one around lunch.

It comes to about 50 minutes a day, and they have PE twice a week.

It was much better fit for my son. At APS they suggested private therapy for his wiggliness (which we did). Yesterday he told a friend, "I used to be hyper. Now I am just happy."

I agree, though, with the poster who said don't judge until you hear the whole plan at Back to school night. Maybe there is movement within the instructional day.

[Anonymous]

This is the first week. I'd settle down a bit. The first week is about establishing expected behaviors, especially in K. Summer bday kids do just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My K is in a N Arl elementary and gets 25 minute recess every day plus 2 days a week of PE for 40 minutes and 2 days of music for 40 minutes (which I would imagine is a lot of movement). So 4 days of the week, he's getting over an hour of physical activity built in before they've done anything else. He's an active boy and is loving school so far.

I can't imagine it's so different across the schools in the same school system. But maybe it is. I would talk to the teacher.

Is this for a full day of K? An hour would be appropriate for a half day but not nearly enough for a full day. They need more recess time.

[Anonymous]

We do morning and evening extended day and they just run around the whole time. While it's not awesome giving our kids such a long day, we don't really have a choice, and they end up not missing recess as much because there's tons of "recess" on the front and tail end for them.

[Anonymous]

OP,
I would think that the teacher also needs the recess time. Doubtful that it was only ten minutes unless there were other issues--like rain.

[Anonymous]

Most public schools don't give enough recess time. Ours gives only 20 minutes in a 6 1/2 hour day. PE is NOT the same thing as recess. It's much more structured, and sometimes kids don't even really get to move around.

This was one of the issues that drove us into the arms of private school, where our DCs get 3 recesses totaling 1.5 hours a day.

[Anonymous]

It is developmentally inappropriate, but it is what our schools have come to. Read "The Trouble With Boys" by Peg Tyre. Our public schools are failing our boys. It is tragic.

[Anonymous]

My kid was in 1st grade at APS.
I had him to a trial day at a Catholic school nearby, just to see. No pressure.

He came out and said, "So MUCH RECESS!"

I explained they probably broke recess into smaller chunks.

They actually have one in the morning and one around lunch.

It comes to about 50 minutes a day, and they have PE twice a week.

It was much better fit for my son. At APS they suggested private therapy for his wiggliness (which we did). Yesterday he told a friend, "I used to be hyper. Now I am just happy."

I agree, though, with the poster who said don't judge until you hear the whole plan at Back to school night. Maybe there is movement within the instructional day.

Sweet Jesus. What on earth are we doing to our kids???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi - my kindergartener came home from school today and yesterday describing how he got about 10 minutes for recess and walked in a line with his hands by his side, his mouth pursed, and his feet "pointing straight". He is no stranger to public school having been in a public pre-k, and the vibe I get from this school is just so different - I feel like the next stop is vmi. Talk me down. Is there a way to get more physical activity in his day? His teacher told me yesterday that kids were awfully wiggly. I want to say "add a recess!!!" On these bright sunny days!! - but I suspect that would not be welcomed.

I'm so close to just pulling him! This isnt developmentally appropriate!

Thanks.

Please pull your kid and send him to private. Seriously. I'm tired of my kids' teachers getting pulled in a million directions by demanding mommies. I prefer to let them do their jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We do morning and evening extended day and they just run around the whole time. While it's not awesome giving our kids such a long day, we don't really have a choice, and they end up not missing recess as much because there's tons of "recess" on the front and tail end for them.

But the "long day" sounds like it's pretty much just like the days kids used to have, with hours of running around with their friends. The difference is that they're doing it at school instead of in their neighborhood.