Reply to Middle School Recess coming to FCPS

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Middle school teacher of 27 years.

We have it currently; it's attached to an existing class (so, in a class schedule, it extends a period length 15 minutes). Right now, we end the formal class period at the regular time, and then kids have 15 minutes to do nothing in particular, but they have to stay in their classroom, or have a pass to go to the bathroom or the library. Each classroom has 1 pass for those things, so students can go 1 at a time. Teachers have games in their classroom, and although we are an "away for the day" school, that policy is superceded by teacher discretion; teacher can allow phone use in their classrooms.

The thing I wonder about when MS recess goes full implementation is similar to what some PPs have brought up: when the students are allowed "to roam", a) what does that mean, and b) where do they go? Middle schools definitely don't have the outdoor infrastructure to support recess, and the PE department has classes they have to supervise (often very full classes). I guess the choices will be 1) stay in the classroom, 2) go outside, 3) roam the hallways, 4) go to the library (the library has a max capacity for space & supervision requirements).

Additionally I wonder, as at least 1 other PP commented, is 15 minutes even enough, say, if they are going to go outside? I'd imagine that this recess will be in the morning (well, maybe it'll be attached to lunch?), so will it be cold enough that kids don't want to go outside? Or will the field still be wet? And how long will it take for kids to get outside, and then to get back inside? I'm not saying we shouldn't do it, but I wonder if the powers-that-be who came up with this idea (county leadership, school board, parents) really understand what it will look like in practice. [/quote]

Our MS has it currently that kids are free "to roam" for 15 min--it's almost like just a long passing period.  My kid uses it to go to the library and/or to meet up with friends she otherwise doesn't see much during the day.  It's a nice little break--if she could go outside she would--she goes outside for lunch already whenever possible and choose the outside options for PE when there's a choice.[/quote]

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