My kid is very happy with the extended recess/lunch block. She can tell the difference.

Anonymous wrote:Our school took the extra 10 mintues and created two 20 minute recesses (one at lunch, the other mid-afternoon). In theory, I think it's great. I'm curious if the logistics will prove challenging in the long run though. It's a small school, which probably helps (fewer kids to get in and out, less distance to the playground).

sad thing is my now freshman had two recesses of 20 minutes before they started cutting recess time

My understanding is that the lunch was barely long enough by the time got the kids got their food and got seated, mix in some socialization and some kids are slow eaters and they couldn't finish in time.

More time for lunch ad recess sounds like a good idea.

I remember having 2 recess periods as a kid- quite dismayed to hear kids are only getting one these days. Play is valuable too, and it helps kids recharge.

Anonymous wrote:Our school took the extra 10 mintues and created two 20 minute recesses (one at lunch, the other mid-afternoon). In theory, I think it's great. I'm curious if the logistics will prove challenging in the long run though. It's a small school, which probably helps (fewer kids to get in and out, less distance to the playground).

I have heard talk of this, mind sharing what school this is? I'm a teacher and would be curious to see if this works out. If it's successful, I would bring it up to my leadership team.

Our school took the extra 10 mintues and created two 20 minute recesses (one at lunch, the other mid-afternoon). In theory, I think it's great. I'm curious if the logistics will prove challenging in the long run though. It's a small school, which probably helps (fewer kids to get in and out, less distance to the playground).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The schools that only added 5 mins might have double lunch sessions - so they added 5 mins to each.

"5 minutes to each" is still 10 minutes total, right?

Correct - the complaint was they only had 5 mins added to lunch, not 10. But if there are two lunch periods, then 5 mins might have been added to each one, which brings us to 10 minutes.

But BOE (and the teacher's union) have said the extra 10 minutes for each child is non-instructional time, which falls under the lunch aides/paraeducators, not the teachers.

It sounds like you are describing 2 lunch periods for the entire school and 5 minutes being added to lunch for each period... and each child getting 5 minutes of extra lunch time and thus 5 minutes of extra instructional time. Maybe I misunderstood your comment???

As if I would know. No clue what my kid's schedule even is. And yes I asked and was told they would go over all of that at BTS Night.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The schools that only added 5 mins might have double lunch sessions - so they added 5 mins to each.

"5 minutes to each" is still 10 minutes total, right?

Correct - the complaint was they only had 5 mins added to lunch, not 10. But if there are two lunch periods, then 5 mins might have been added to each one, which brings us to 10 minutes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ours is 30min lunch, 40min recess.

This is what changed at our school. Last year both were 30 min. I'm thrilled the extra time went to recess. Kids need it.

+1000 and I wish it were more.

Our school added the 10 minutes to recess, but the "block" still shows the same hour. The difference is that 5 minutes of transition time was added for both. For example, lunch and recess is 12-1. But they wrap up instruction at 12:25 and get to the APR so they actually get to start lunch at 12:00 (or get through some of the line). Recess goes until 1:00, and THEN they line up and get picked up, rather than having to be lined up and ready to go by 1:00.

I like it. They need more down time. I wish they had added it all to recess, but I think this way is good too.