Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - sorry to post and run. I was specifically referring to the bill that said that schools can count recess as instructional time. It was something a group called Virginians for Recess (or something like that) lobbied really hard for. My child is starting Kindergarten in September, so I'm not very familiar with the school system at all - but I have read that although recess time varies across school, it is still pretty limited.

Someone above mentioned that FCPS was unlikely to increase recess time without advocacy -- how does one get involved in this stuff at the district level?

Why don't you figure out how much recess your school has and how teachers, parents, and the principal feel about it first. Go to a PTA meeting and bring up the issue and see what the feedback is. I can't tell you how annoying it is as a parent in FCPS to watch parents of rising kindergarteners who know nothing about the school system advocate for something based on heresy. We all have busy lives and it's unproductive to spend time educating people that want to make a point before knowing enough information on a subject. If this is an issue, parents of actual students with experience will be bringing up issues. Many people around here have 2-5 kids and will have a child that is both a rising kindergarten and one who has already gone through FCPS to some degree.

I don't find it annoying all. Many parents are so busy they really don't advocate even if they believe in an issue. And it's pretty common knowledge that recess is limited in Ffx schools. I appreciate that parents want to work toward change now so their kids can actually benefit from the change. Kindergarten kids are arguably the most in need of increases in recess...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - sorry to post and run. I was specifically referring to the bill that said that schools can count recess as instructional time. It was something a group called Virginians for Recess (or something like that) lobbied really hard for. My child is starting Kindergarten in September, so I'm not very familiar with the school system at all - but I have read that although recess time varies across school, it is still pretty limited.

Someone above mentioned that FCPS was unlikely to increase recess time without advocacy -- how does one get involved in this stuff at the district level?

Why don't you figure out how much recess your school has and how teachers, parents, and the principal feel about it first. Go to a PTA meeting and bring up the issue and see what the feedback is. I can't tell you how annoying it is as a parent in FCPS to watch parents of rising kindergarteners who know nothing about the school system advocate for something based on heresy. We all have busy lives and it's unproductive to spend time educating people that want to make a point before knowing enough information on a subject. If this is an issue, parents of actual students with experience will be bringing up issues. Many people around here have 2-5 kids and will have a child that is both a rising kindergarten and one who has already gone through FCPS to some degree.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - sorry to post and run. I was specifically referring to the bill that said that schools can count recess as instructional time. It was something a group called Virginians for Recess (or something like that) lobbied really hard for. My child is starting Kindergarten in September, so I'm not very familiar with the school system at all - but I have read that although recess time varies across school, it is still pretty limited.

Someone above mentioned that FCPS was unlikely to increase recess time without advocacy -- how does one get involved in this stuff at the district level?

Anonymous wrote:

They get home late, and it is quite challenging getting in a family dinner, homework, AND sufficient fresh air and activity not to mention fitting in anything like a class or music lesson.

Soooo, you think it is easier for the school to fit it in than the parent? How about giving up the class or music lesson? How about going out for a walk as a family before dinner?

This is the issue. Parents expect the school to get the kids outside, but they don't do it at home. How much time do your kids spend outside on the weekends? Or, are they at classes or in museums?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They get home late, and it is quite challenging getting in a family dinner, homework, AND sufficient fresh air and activity not to mention fitting in anything like a class or music lesson.

Soooo, you think it is easier for the school to fit it in than the parent? How about giving up the class or music lesson? How about going out for a walk as a family before dinner?

This is the issue. Parents expect the school to get the kids outside, but they don't do it at home. How much time do your kids spend outside on the weekends? Or, are they at classes or in museums?

We don't do many lessons, and we do insist on outdoor out time every day. But it still is very hard with all the expectations on working families. And it is nearly dark in winter when my kids get off the bus. Yes, I think in seven hours spent in school time should be made for it. Young elementary kids are spent when they get home. They need breaks in the middle of the long school day and when the sun is out. Young kids need more than a couple 20 minute spurts of exercise. They should be spending an hour or two every day outside. Why are people such jerks about this? Do you really have a problem with elementary aged kids being provided 40 minutes of break time outside during the day?? Do you really not understand they need this developmentally? the school day as it currently goes in FCPS is not healthy for our kids.

Anonymous wrote:

They get home late, and it is quite challenging getting in a family dinner, homework, AND sufficient fresh air and activity not to mention fitting in anything like a class or music lesson.

This is the issue. Parents expect the school to get the kids outside, but they don't do it at home. How much time do your kids spend outside on the weekends? Or, are they at classes or in museums?

Anonymous wrote:

They get home late, and it is quite challenging getting in a family dinner, homework, AND sufficient fresh air and activity not to mention fitting in anything like a class or music lesson.

Soooo, you think it is easier for the school to fit it in than the parent? How about giving up the class or music lesson? How about going out for a walk as a family before dinner?

This is the issue. Parents expect the school to get the kids outside, but they don't do it at home. How much time do your kids spend outside on the weekends? Or, are they at classes or in museums?

They get home late, and it is quite challenging getting in a family dinner, homework, AND sufficient fresh air and activity not to mention fitting in anything like a class or music lesson.

Anonymous wrote:

My kid's school doesn't call parents when they scrape knees. My kids have come home with plenty of bumps and major bruising. Not a big deal. Number of kids they report breaking bones is a big deal. That should be an occasional occurrence. (Have verified it's true by the way because I know the parents). Their stress levels are high and when you work that hard, you sometimes play too hard. Kids need to run around and climb and play. They also need to have time for this at home too and not spend so much time studying and doing homework.

Totally agree. How do you propose to keep them from getting hurt?