How long is recess at your DCPS elementary?

[Anonymous]

My first-grader gets 15 minutes, if that, and it's usually indoor since the teachers think it's too cold. They often skip recess altogether, though, because the teacher's schedule only allots 11:30-12:15 for Lunch and Recess. That's not a lot of time to get 25 kids through the lunch line and out the door. We're looking for a school that prioritizes free time and recess along with academics. Our school is solid on academics, but the kids are starved for play. We're a Title I EOTP. I'd like to know how other schools do it, and what discretion do teachers and principals have. Finally, if we see no action on this, what are our kids' rights to recess? Does DCPS have a policy?

[Anonymous]

This is a common question. You should work with your school's LSAT to come up with the right answer for your school. From our (successful) dealings with this, I faintly recall that DCPS does set standards, not so much for recess per se but for physical activity, which isn't the same as you may know. Outdoor recess is indeed curtailed when it's "too cold" (below freezing), which is ridiculous but something you can't change much about at the school level. There are many (laudable and not so laudable) reasons why a school may feel the need to minimize recess. And you really need to understand those reasons before coming to a snap judgment that "the more recess the better" and that your school has it all wrong in that department.
In tackling this issue, I recommend you parse out the reasons why you find recess important, physical activity, outdoor time, and free play being among the most important ones, and honestly ask yourself if a 30 min block of recess is the only (or best) way to achieve those goals. For example, what if free play was meaningfully woven into the school day? What if your school had found a way to provide effective opportunities for physical activity (as you know, not all kids are physically active during recess and often not those that need it most)? And what if your school as more effective ways of providing children with outdoor time and a bunch of screaming kids inhaling fumes on a blacktop?

I exaggerate but hope you see my point.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PP, and I do see your good points. Our school has incorporated a before school program that incorporates physical activity --- like relay races. I can't tell how often this program is actually happening. Students have to arrive by 8:15, which we do most days, and report to the gym. The teachers also incorporate movement breaks during instructional time, using the Go Noodle app -- like spontaneous get up and dance bursts. It's fun, but I don't think it substitutes for the social and physical benefits of recess. Since lunch and recess periods are combined, the teachers have to rush the kids through lunch, which also makes it less of a social time, and kids are actually asked not to talk above a whisper. I'm all for teaching manners, but I also think kids need time to decompress, make friends and just let loose. The school does not have great afterschool activity for younger grades that incorporate physical activity.

I will see if I can take this issue to the LSAC. Being EOTP and under-resourced, we have limited clout. I'd hate to move WOTP for after school Zumba, but that seems like the kind of ridiculous choice this will come down to for us if we can't find a solution. We love a lot about the school -- not everything -- but a lot.

[Anonymous]

EOTP Title 1 school with a kindergartner. They get 20 minutes for recess followed by 20 minutes for lunch. I have been agitating about it all year. I don't think it's enough time, but I also think that recess could be done better. My DD is terrified of recess because it is basically a 20 minute free-for-all of kids running wild on the blacktop.

[Anonymous]

The Healthy Schools Act requires a minimum of 20 min of recess a day along with 30 minutes to each lunch (not counting standing in lunch line) The ACT also requires 150 minutes of PE per week.
Our school has 30 min recess a day followed by 30 min lunch a day and PE 2x a week. We are not staffed to offer PE every day.

[Anonymous]

I have come across schools with a 45minute lunch period, but no place to play and a requirement to sit or do quiet games. I am looking for solid programs that incorporate movement warm-ups and breaks into the school day. I have been asked to consult on self-reg strategies, but when movement is lacking, that is my first recommendation. I have seen the GoNoodle app, which is ok, but I think that the teachers may benefit from a curriculum. Before I create my own, does anyone have suggestions?

[Anonymous]

I forgot to say, that this school (above comment) is a middle school with no playground.

[Anonymous]

This is an issue at our EOTP Title 1 as well. It's important to have a realistic understanding that it's hard to get all the kids to pee, jacket up, and walk out in the time allocated. No progress yet on mid-day, but dor aftercare we did hire through the PTA an additional aide to help with the ratio and speed up the process. She goes from room to room as the aftercare groups rotate through the playground or gym. It really helps especially with the little ones who need to pee. Another help is buying some toys for outside, and i bought 20 pack of kid mittens at Big Lots so that would not be an issue. Still, some parents think it is cruel to make the kids go outside when it is "cold" and i'm not sure how to resolve that one.

[Anonymous]

I know this is a useless comment but: my GOD how did we get to this ridiculous place in society??? When I went to school we had a 20 minute recess at 10; an hour for lunch (most of which was recess) and another recess in the afternoon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this is a useless comment but: my GOD how did we get to this ridiculous place in society??? When I went to school we had a 20 minute recess at 10; an hour for lunch (most of which was recess) and another recess in the afternoon.

When I went to school we had :40 at noon for lunch and recess and that was it. There has never been a universal practice.

[Anonymous]

When I went to school, we had 10 minutes after every 40 sat in the class. Lunch break was 30 minutes, but there was no standing in line. Tables were set and all ate the same food made from scratch. Usually an entree or a soup and dessert.
Just looked up the time of recesses in my former elementary and they have about 90 minutes. It all fits between 8.15 am and 3 pm.
I remember waiting for ever recess and running like crazy all 10 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this is a useless comment but: my GOD how did we get to this ridiculous place in society??? When I went to school we had a 20 minute recess at 10; an hour for lunch (most of which was recess) and another recess in the afternoon.

It's part of the general harmful culture of "reform." Our schools are bad bad bad, therefore students should only focus on (a very narrow and poorly-taught version of) academics, so they can be college ready and super competitive for a future where half of recent college graduates are under-or unemployed.

This is one of many reasons why folks homeschool or look to private schools, although the private schools aren't necessarily better in many of these regards. Rest assured that there are still educational systems and countries that value recess and outdoor time. These days, the US just isn't one of them.

[Anonymous]

Our students get 30 minutes of recess ever day, rain or shine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this is a useless comment but: my GOD how did we get to this ridiculous place in society??? When I went to school we had a 20 minute recess at 10; an hour for lunch (most of which was recess) and another recess in the afternoon.

It's part of the general harmful culture of "reform." Our schools are bad bad bad, therefore students should only focus on (a very narrow and poorly-taught version of) academics, so they can be college ready and super competitive for a future where half of recent college graduates are under-or unemployed.

This is one of many reasons why folks homeschool or look to private schools, although the private schools aren't necessarily better in many of these regards. Rest assured that there are still educational systems and countries that value recess and outdoor time. These days, the US just isn't one of them.

I just checked online. My old elementary school in California still has a 15 minute recess at 10:30 and a 45 minute lunch for grades 1-3. School goes from 8:30 - 2:50, which means they get out 25 minutes earlier than most DCPSs. Kindergarten is still just a half day, although it looks like they're about to increase that.

[Anonymous]

Our charter gives a 35 or 45 min recess after lunch which is 20 minutes. Yoga every single day around 10. PE once a week. They ask that you provide lots of waterproof clothes because the preference is for outside play.