OP here: Can anyone confirm that children are NOT ALLOWED on the school playground at any other school in Montgomery County? I have not heard of this and so far, no one says it is that way at their school.

It's not enforceable. If you want him to play there then let him do it.

Oh, great. Teach the kid that he is soooo special that rules that apply to everyone else do not apply to him. That is going to serve him well in life.

OP, it's possible that you could work something out with the school where a group of parents agrees to supervise a group of their own children who are students at the school for the 30 minutes immediately after dismissal.
You guys would need to clear out before the other activities go outside. Just too many liabilities for the school to have everyone out there at the same time.

If this could be recognized as an "organized" event, you all might be able to continue this.

Agree with other posters that you need to dial back the outrage and in a friendly, non-confrontational way approach the school administration. "I fully understand the need to control the activities on the playground after school. Many of us have developed a tradition of meeting on the playground for a brief period after dismissal. I'm wondering if we can work with you to explore some ways that some version of this can continue while still following the new guidelines."

Anonymous wrote:Its probably a safety issue and a supervision issue for the after care kids. There are plenty of local playgrounds in Silver Spring, Kensington, Wheaton and other areas to meet yoru needs.

Actually in my neighborhood the school playground is the only one within walking distance. All the others require crossing and driving on major roads.

OP -- I agree that is preposterous and and you should let them know. I for one would sign a petition. This is our tax money and a school should serve its community. It's crazy to spend all that money on school ground equipment and then forbid kids from using it!

Anonymous wrote:I thought it was public property. I know people run on school tracks all the time. I also use a school playground with my kids. They don't go to that school but I've never seen any signs posted.
I don't think it's a liability issue- if it was, I can guarantee that it did not take the officials until 2013 to figure that out.

If more kids are on the playground -- GREATER CHANCE of something happening -- so there has always been the liability factor -- just now someone is saying it is not worth the risk

Liability
Liability
Liability

It's not enforceable. If you want him to play there then let him do it.

Normally not my method, but really, what's to stop you from playing there anyway? If they are unable to stop middle school kids from misusing the area, how are they planning to stop your kid from playing there, especially if you're supervising?

It should be that all children on the playground after hours must be under the direct supervision of a parent.

Problem solved.

I thought it was public property. I know people run on school tracks all the time. I also use a school playground with my kids. They don't go to that school but I've never seen any signs posted.
I don't think it's a liability issue- if it was, I can guarantee that it did not take the officials until 2013 to figure that out.

Yes, it is a shame. However, there is a security concern - in case of an accident, who sues who?

Tell us which school. Find out if other parents at your school are willing to complain with you to the principal. You can maybe gather support on the listserve. Together, ask that they change the rules.

Anonymous wrote:Its probably a safety issue and a supervision issue for the after care kids. There are plenty of local playgrounds in Silver Spring, Kensington, Wheaton and other areas to meet yoru needs.

OP here, the aftercare kids do not even go onto the playground until at least 30 minutes after school ends. They are having snacks inside and doing homework. I think it is the middle school kids the concern is about. So rather than address kids who do not attend the school, everyone is banned.

There is a big difference from staying to play on the local playground with other kids who and making a playdate to go to a local playground. Often we just ask a friend if he would like to stay and play for a little while after school. No playdate needed, just play with parents around.

Agree with pp. This isn't about inconveniencing you, so you might want to dial back your anger.

Not getting the fat remark either.Talk about a nonsequitur.

Its probably a safety issue and a supervision issue for the after care kids. There are plenty of local playgrounds in Silver Spring, Kensington, Wheaton and other areas to meet yoru needs.

I just received an automated call from the assistant principal. It used to be anyone could play on the school playground after school. Now they are banning everyone from the school playground after school except those enrolled in 1)the aftercare program and 2) after school activities which take place on the playground.

This is new. My child has always played on the playground after school, in fact he is learning to ride his bicycle w/o training wheels on the school field on weekends or after school.

Are other schools this way? The school in question is in a decent neighborhood in Silver Spring. There are portables on the playground that apparently middle schoolers hide between after hours. And middle schoolers take over the basketball courts after school. I think they need to come up with another way than banning all children from the playground who would like to play after school. I like my child to stay and play with friends after school. There are usually many kids and their parents hanging out on the playground for the first 30 minutes after school.

You would think with kids getter fatter they would like to encourage outside play.