Middle School Recess coming to FCPS

[Anonymous]

It also just occurred to me that some parents think recess in middle school is going to be time where they are led outside like elementary school. It’s not like that. A few may choose to go outdoors. Many will not. No one will force them.

My kid is at Kilmer now and has had an outdoor lunch option almost since they returned in person. I have no idea why he doesn’t want to out outside on nice days but I don’t understand most things middle school boys want to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It also just occurred to me that some parents think recess in middle school is going to be time where they are led outside like elementary school. It’s not like that. A few may choose to go outdoors. Many will not. No one will force them.

My kid is at Kilmer now and has had an outdoor lunch option almost since they returned in person. I have no idea why he doesn’t want to out outside on nice days but I don’t understand most things middle school boys want to do.

W/ the new reg they will be forced to go stand around outside. It only exempts inclement weather Or if the principal deems it to be a safety issue. We had to have kids only socialize w their class in their assigned space because there were some safety/behavior issues when we were letting kids intermingle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a hard time understand why ppl don't want the kids to just have recess? What could possibly be bad about that?

Because middle schools do not have playgrounds and many lack decent space for this. Our school purchased jump ropes, balls, sidewalk chalk, etc, and it made it a little better, but 90% of students stand around on their phones in the middle of a small patch of grass biding time until they can go back inside.

Okay. Staring at your phone outside is healthier than staring at your phone indoors.

Banning phones would be even healthier. How do I advocate for that?

They already are in middle school with “off and away.” You need to ban school laptops and wifi since they are connected to the internet.

Not all middle schools are away for the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It also just occurred to me that some parents think recess in middle school is going to be time where they are led outside like elementary school. It’s not like that. A few may choose to go outdoors. Many will not. No one will force them.

My kid is at Kilmer now and has had an outdoor lunch option almost since they returned in person. I have no idea why he doesn’t want to out outside on nice days but I don’t understand most things middle school boys want to do.

W/ the new reg they will be forced to go stand around outside. It only exempts inclement weather Or if the principal deems it to be a safety issue. We had to have kids only socialize w their class in their assigned space because there were some safety/behavior issues when we were letting kids intermingle.

Sounds fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Middle school kids aren't that old. The Green space issue I can understand, but that's just adults still telling these kids that they don't need recess. I wonder if it's the kids themselves that don't wavt recess or adults telling them that they don't want or need it.

Judging from the number of kids who beg to stay inside, most dont want it.

That's kind of dumb. They should enjoy being kids while they can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a hard time understand why ppl don't want the kids to just have recess? What could possibly be bad about that?

Because middle schools do not have playgrounds and many lack decent space for this. Our school purchased jump ropes, balls, sidewalk chalk, etc, and it made it a little better, but 90% of students stand around on their phones in the middle of a small patch of grass biding time until they can go back inside.

Okay. Staring at your phone outside is healthier than staring at your phone indoors.

Banning phones would be even healthier. How do I advocate for that?

They already are in middle school with “off and away.” You need to ban school laptops and wifi since they are connected to the internet.

Not all middle schools are away for the day.

And the 2 FCPS MSs I've worked at that are supposedly "away for the day" say that but MANY teachers just let the kids use them because it's easier than intervening, taking phones, etc. Especially in that study hall/intervention block where they're supposed to have time to do homework, meet with teachers, work with classmates, etc. 90% of them are playing games and texting on phones because they have no self control and the adults aren't enforcing policy. These kids need the policy enforced so they can talk to other people, study, read, GO OUTSIDE, etc. etc. Some of them look grown up already but they are kids and the adults need to be helping them make better choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a hard time understand why ppl don't want the kids to just have recess? What could possibly be bad about that?

Same. What are you afraid will happen if kids get 15 minutes of unstructured time?

Bullying.

There are better ways to address bullying then locking kids down. How will kids ever learn to interact socially when parents are afraid of their kids getting bullied during 15 minutes of free time during the day? You are really just pushing the problem down the road to when they are adults and have no idea how to deal with their peers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a hard time understand why ppl don't want the kids to just have recess? What could possibly be bad about that?

Same. What are you afraid will happen if kids get 15 minutes of unstructured time?

Bullying.

Yep. At worst it’s bullying and at best they will be standing around staring at their phones.

Signed,
Middle school psychologist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a hard time understand why ppl don't want the kids to just have recess? What could possibly be bad about that?

Same. What are you afraid will happen if kids get 15 minutes of unstructured time?

Bullying.

Yep. At worst it’s bullying and at best they will be standing around staring at their phones.

Signed,
Middle school psychologist

As a psychologist don't think schools could potentially do something about that besides just avoiding the problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a hard time understand why ppl don't want the kids to just have recess? What could possibly be bad about that?

Same. What are you afraid will happen if kids get 15 minutes of unstructured time?

Bullying.

Yep. At worst it’s bullying and at best they will be standing around staring at their phones.

Signed,
Middle school psychologist

As a psychologist don't think schools could potentially do something about that besides just avoiding the problem?

DP. How much time have you spent working with full classes in a middle school? I agree, time outside during the day is nice to have. 15 minutes isn’t enough time for anything. We are talking about hundreds of students walking outside and then needing to get back in for the next class. At most with transition time, would they have five minutes? I’m assuming not everyone would have the break at the same time and it’s still a massive amount of teens. The parents demanding this and thinking it would be beneficial don’t know the logistics of being in a school. In order for an real outdoor time to take place, they would need at least 30 min to account for changing classes. That’s not possible in middle school and if it was possible, not many would support it. Personally, I’d rather have the day shortened than a forced 30 min recess for my 8th grader on top of lunch and study hall. Let them go outside for study hall and the problem is solved.

[Anonymous]

Middle school equipped to handle recess for the kids whether it be for time or space bring me right back to my point earlier. Why don't middle schools right from the getgo don't think kids need or want recess? Why don't they plan and schedule for it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a hard time understand why ppl don't want the kids to just have recess? What could possibly be bad about that?

Same. What are you afraid will happen if kids get 15 minutes of unstructured time?

Bullying.

Yep. At worst it’s bullying and at best they will be standing around staring at their phones.

Signed,
Middle school psychologist

As a psychologist don't think schools could potentially do something about that besides just avoiding the problem?

DP. How much time have you spent working with full classes in a middle school? I agree, time outside during the day is nice to have. 15 minutes isn’t enough time for anything. We are talking about hundreds of students walking outside and then needing to get back in for the next class. At most with transition time, would they have five minutes? I’m assuming not everyone would have the break at the same time and it’s still a massive amount of teens. The parents demanding this and thinking it would be beneficial don’t know the logistics of being in a school. In order for an real outdoor time to take place, they would need at least 30 min to account for changing classes. That’s not possible in middle school and if it was possible, not many would support it. Personally, I’d rather have the day shortened than a forced 30 min recess for my 8th grader on top of lunch and study hall. Let them go outside for study hall and the problem is solved.

Agree.

I kinda wish they could sleep-in for 30 min more than have recess (which is only going to be like 5 or 6 min max with transitions factored in; even with staggered recess times).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a hard time understand why ppl don't want the kids to just have recess? What could possibly be bad about that?

Same. What are you afraid will happen if kids get 15 minutes of unstructured time?

Bullying.

Yep. At worst it’s bullying and at best they will be standing around staring at their phones.

Signed,
Middle school psychologist

And no doubt looking at porn on their phones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm having a hard time understand why ppl don't want the kids to just have recess? What could possibly be bad about that?

Same. What are you afraid will happen if kids get 15 minutes of unstructured time?

Bullying.

Yep. At worst it’s bullying and at best they will be standing around staring at their phones.

Signed,
Middle school psychologist

And no doubt looking at porn on their phones.

Yep! Those 8th grade boys

[Anonymous]

I'll never understand kids. I would have loved of they would us gave us recess at those ages.