My kids haven't been outside for recess since before the holidays (and we've had several warm days with sun and above freezing temps). I completely understand keeping them inside due to extreme temperatures (and FCPS policy states such). However, our principal has kept them inside because of having to deal with wet floors/classrooms and he/she has not seen sufficient enough melting of snow. Some classrooms don't have any windows in our school and these kids are held indoors all day long! Our track is completely clear, but there might be ice, so they stay inside. Folks are fearful of kids walking on ice - let's teach them how to handle it. Folks are stating that not all kids have access to winter gear - the county has resources to provide to those who need supplies. The kids may have wet socks - have them pack a second pair in the back packs. The floors in the school will be wet - then mop them up. Some kinds need to stay inside - then let them and have a teacher stay inside with those that require an accommodation. Not all kids wear boots - then only allow those that are wearing them to step on snow. Kids come to school without jackets - call the parents and require them to bring one in. The basketball courts are not cleared of snow - have the custodians clear those areas for play. This it NOT rocket science - this is common sense and these are all "problems" the VA schools can solve. And upon doing some digging, some schools within FCPS actually do have kids outside - even in winter and even with snow on the ground. And if the Midwest can get their act together ALL winters, surely VA can handle preparing a plan for an unusual times when snow stays on the ground for a couple weeks. Schools here need to make a plan and do what's right for the kids (they do so for sports when it's extremely warm), and stop making it ok to do what's easy for the administration. Recess is for being active and getting fresh air, access to natural vitamin D all of which is linked to better academic performance! Why aren't more parents pro-active in pushing back and standing up for teaching our kids how to be resilient! Do better! Do we really need to get the school board involved to change the FCPS policy and provide specific details for what the plan is for winter weather?!

Anonymous wrote:My kids haven’t been outside for recess since December. It’s awful.

Sorry. Thankfully that’s not the case everywhere.

Anonymous wrote:Amazed, when are school yard froze over we played hockey at recess. Time to stop coddling these kids.

Luckily, you’re not the one making the decisions on whether or not we go out.

Amazed, when are school yard froze over we played hockey at recess. Time to stop coddling these kids.

My kids haven’t been outside for recess since December. It’s awful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s crazy that so many parents just accept that FCPS holds indoor recess day after day this winter. Kids need exercise and socialization that comes with physical activity, not more screen time at school. Are that many parents not paying attention to all the research the last 10 years?

Kids and schools in other parts of the country somehow manage to go outside. It’s only 30 minutes, kids can seriously deal with some wet socks for a few hours, plus maybe next time they can wear boots. Why do we accept FCPS making every decision based on the lowest common denominator? Is the plan for indoor recess the entire month of January?

Schools here dont have capacity for kids to carry boots and change in and out of them. Sitting for hours in wet socks while trying to learn is unacceptable. I love fresh air and take my kids out as often as possible (yes even this week) but even I can understand that school cant be responsible for this.

Also indoor recess does not equal screens at our school. They play board games and stuff like that.

What in earth are you talking about...they don't have the capacity?!? The classrooms in the FCPS building where I teach are all FAR bigger than my ES where I grew up in CT. You figure it out. You clear off a table and spread out the hats and gloves to dry. Also, I don't ever remember changing boots at school, never, and we had a LOT of snow. You go to school in boots and you stay at school in boots.

You don't die from a couple of hours in damp socks and with damp jeans. If a kid is really uncomfortable, the school could keep some old clean socks in the school clothes closet (most schools have one for kids who vomit and have accidents) for kids who complain.

What is REALLY happening here is principals are terrified of parents and don't want to put ANY responsibility on them. I'm old, comparatively, as a teacher, so I have no gestation telling a young parent, "You need to dress your son more warmly in January. Maybe pack a clean pair of socks in his backpack because he tends to play hard and get his socks wet. If you need help getting more warm clothing for him, let me know and our social worker can arrange for some for your family."

It's not hard but it's like we are SO terrified of parents that we don't even try to coach them to be better parents anymore. We just keep coddling the kids more and more, to the detriment of everyone.

Frankly, I've never observed that an afternoon of instruction was lost to wet socks. Ever. And I have taught since 1994 both here and in two New England states. But I have definitely lost an entire afternoon of instruction - actually, FIVE afternoons last week - to a huge class of stir crazy, antsy kids, a lot of which have unmedicated ADHD, ALL of whom need to go out and run like puppies, unrestrained, in the snow so that they can get some exercise, space, and air and come back and focus and learn. Instead, we just bumped into each other and stayed up in each other's spaces and feelings for an uncomfortable 30 minutes of screens and games and tried in vain to get anything useful done.

Neither of my kids would wear boots inside all day long. And neither would be OK with wet pants or socks either. They love playing outside at home, but they immediately dry off and change when they walk indoors.

Asking kids to wear snow boots inside for 7 hours is insane.

Asking teachers to manage 25 kids changing their shoes twice daily is also just not going to happen.

Michigander here - this happens all the time where I'm from! Kids bring extra shoes + socks + snow pants in their backpack and change for recess! NBD.

Only indoor recess this week due to the super low temps is what we've heard. Hopefully next week will be different.

The last few days of last week they went out for recess and just played on the snow covered playground. Today they won’t have recess because of the 2 hour delay. If it were a full day they could go out, but the time outside would be shortened due to the wind chill advisory.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No but our admin had the blacktop plowed. Hopefully for tomorrow or Thursday.

We can’t keep these kids in for 2 weeks because of the playground.

Just another aspect of this we can’t handle because I’m sure kids used to snow play outside at school.

I taught first grade. Have you any idea how much time it takes to take a first grade class outside in the snow? And, how to take care of issues when you come back inside? Wet gloves, wet boots, etc.
I taught in a snowy climate for a year. It is a mess. Sure, we made the effort, but not daily. It eats into the instruction time. And, the kids I taught all had the appropriate clothing because it was necessary. Not all FCPS kids have the right clothing.

I'm an FCPS teacher and I get the time pressure we are all under. But we are talking about 15 minute recess. Not on wind chill advisory days, just after a snow. Kids can handle being cold. They can handle being a little wet. They can learn to wear gloves and hats, and we can help families who don't have them. This is BASIC functioning in a four season climate. BASIC functioning. We can do this.

Yes, so much. It’s ridiculous.its not dangerous for them to go outside and play in cold weather for 15 minutes. On these days when it’s going to be in the teens, sure, keep them in, but most winter days are FINE for outdoor recess. We have lots of local organizations that help us get winter weather gear for kids who need it.

My school had kids inside all last week, and it was clear they weren’t playing outside after school, and they were nuts. Kids need to run around, yell, and just play outdoors.

Most teachers I know are not afraid of parents but they are tired of having to parent. Why is everything on the school. Dress your kids warmly is a parents job. Not the schools. And I know there are title 1 issues I'm talking about the majority of schools that are not title 1

Until all the parents coming on this forum to complain volunteer to chaperone recess, I don’t care to hear their opinion on whether or not I stay inside or go outside with the class.

This. Recess is the time of day when all drama happens. At least in 6th. If we went outside last week some 6th grader would have thrown snow at some kid who didn’t want it. Kids would then bring in mud into the classroom.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No but our admin had the blacktop plowed. Hopefully for tomorrow or Thursday.

We can’t keep these kids in for 2 weeks because of the playground.

Just another aspect of this we can’t handle because I’m sure kids used to snow play outside at school.

I taught first grade. Have you any idea how much time it takes to take a first grade class outside in the snow? And, how to take care of issues when you come back inside? Wet gloves, wet boots, etc.
I taught in a snowy climate for a year. It is a mess. Sure, we made the effort, but not daily. It eats into the instruction time. And, the kids I taught all had the appropriate clothing because it was necessary. Not all FCPS kids have the right clothing.

I'm an FCPS teacher and I get the time pressure we are all under. But we are talking about 15 minute recess. Not on wind chill advisory days, just after a snow. Kids can handle being cold. They can handle being a little wet. They can learn to wear gloves and hats, and we can help families who don't have them. This is BASIC functioning in a four season climate. BASIC functioning. We can do this.

Yes, so much. It’s ridiculous.its not dangerous for them to go outside and play in cold weather for 15 minutes. On these days when it’s going to be in the teens, sure, keep them in, but most winter days are FINE for outdoor recess. We have lots of local organizations that help us get winter weather gear for kids who need it.

My school had kids inside all last week, and it was clear they weren’t playing outside after school, and they were nuts. Kids need to run around, yell, and just play outdoors.

Most teachers I know are not afraid of parents but they are tired of having to parent. Why is everything on the school. Dress your kids warmly is a parents job. Not the schools. And I know there are title 1 issues I'm talking about the majority of schools that are not title 1

Until all the parents coming on this forum to complain volunteer to chaperone recess, I don’t care to hear their opinion on whether or not I stay inside or go outside with the class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s crazy that so many parents just accept that FCPS holds indoor recess day after day this winter. Kids need exercise and socialization that comes with physical activity, not more screen time at school. Are that many parents not paying attention to all the research the last 10 years?

Kids and schools in other parts of the country somehow manage to go outside. It’s only 30 minutes, kids can seriously deal with some wet socks for a few hours, plus maybe next time they can wear boots. Why do we accept FCPS making every decision based on the lowest common denominator? Is the plan for indoor recess the entire month of January?

Schools here dont have capacity for kids to carry boots and change in and out of them. Sitting for hours in wet socks while trying to learn is unacceptable. I love fresh air and take my kids out as often as possible (yes even this week) but even I can understand that school cant be responsible for this.

Also indoor recess does not equal screens at our school. They play board games and stuff like that.

What in earth are you talking about...they don't have the capacity?!? The classrooms in the FCPS building where I teach are all FAR bigger than my ES where I grew up in CT. You figure it out. You clear off a table and spread out the hats and gloves to dry. Also, I don't ever remember changing boots at school, never, and we had a LOT of snow. You go to school in boots and you stay at school in boots.

You don't die from a couple of hours in damp socks and with damp jeans. If a kid is really uncomfortable, the school could keep some old clean socks in the school clothes closet (most schools have one for kids who vomit and have accidents) for kids who complain.

What is REALLY happening here is principals are terrified of parents and don't want to put ANY responsibility on them. I'm old, comparatively, as a teacher, so I have no gestation telling a young parent, "You need to dress your son more warmly in January. Maybe pack a clean pair of socks in his backpack because he tends to play hard and get his socks wet. If you need help getting more warm clothing for him, let me know and our social worker can arrange for some for your family."

It's not hard but it's like we are SO terrified of parents that we don't even try to coach them to be better parents anymore. We just keep coddling the kids more and more, to the detriment of everyone.

Frankly, I've never observed that an afternoon of instruction was lost to wet socks. Ever. And I have taught since 1994 both here and in two New England states. But I have definitely lost an entire afternoon of instruction - actually, FIVE afternoons last week - to a huge class of stir crazy, antsy kids, a lot of which have unmedicated ADHD, ALL of whom need to go out and run like puppies, unrestrained, in the snow so that they can get some exercise, space, and air and come back and focus and learn. Instead, we just bumped into each other and stayed up in each other's spaces and feelings for an uncomfortable 30 minutes of screens and games and tried in vain to get anything useful done.

Neither of my kids would wear boots inside all day long. And neither would be OK with wet pants or socks either. They love playing outside at home, but they immediately dry off and change when they walk indoors.

Asking kids to wear snow boots inside for 7 hours is insane.

Asking teachers to manage 25 kids changing their shoes twice daily is also just not going to happen.

former teacher--

Parents should also take into consideration that all schools are not the same. All schools do not have playgrounds that get lots of sun to melt snow. Snow scraped off a blacktop may lead to a sheet of ice. And, snow on a playground may damage the ground for Spring recess. Do any of you have kids that play sports? Ever had games cancelled because of wet fields? There is a reason.
Some schools are very large and playing on the blacktop might mean a very large crowd.

As a teacher, there are some "active" things that can be done indoors. Marching in place to music. Marching around the room. Exercises that require movement. Even games that keep the attention of the children.

I strongly support outdoor recess. But, how about using a little common sense.


Believe me, the teachers also want the kids outside and are weighing the benefits against the problems.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No but our admin had the blacktop plowed. Hopefully for tomorrow or Thursday.

We can’t keep these kids in for 2 weeks because of the playground.

Just another aspect of this we can’t handle because I’m sure kids used to snow play outside at school.

I taught first grade. Have you any idea how much time it takes to take a first grade class outside in the snow? And, how to take care of issues when you come back inside? Wet gloves, wet boots, etc.
I taught in a snowy climate for a year. It is a mess. Sure, we made the effort, but not daily. It eats into the instruction time. And, the kids I taught all had the appropriate clothing because it was necessary. Not all FCPS kids have the right clothing.

I'm an FCPS teacher and I get the time pressure we are all under. But we are talking about 15 minute recess. Not on wind chill advisory days, just after a snow. Kids can handle being cold. They can handle being a little wet. They can learn to wear gloves and hats, and we can help families who don't have them. This is BASIC functioning in a four season climate. BASIC functioning. We can do this.

Yes, so much. It’s ridiculous.its not dangerous for them to go outside and play in cold weather for 15 minutes. On these days when it’s going to be in the teens, sure, keep them in, but most winter days are FINE for outdoor recess. We have lots of local organizations that help us get winter weather gear for kids who need it.

My school had kids inside all last week, and it was clear they weren’t playing outside after school, and they were nuts. Kids need to run around, yell, and just play outdoors.

Most teachers I know are not afraid of parents but they are tired of having to parent. Why is everything on the school. Dress your kids warmly is a parents job. Not the schools. And I know there are title 1 issues I'm talking about the majority of schools that are not title 1

I'm a teacher and I agree that it *shouldn't* all be on the schools...but if not us, then who? Teachers have information that can be helpful to me in raising my son, and I appreciate when they share what they know. If I am not dressing him warmly enough for when he is in their care, I want to know. I want their knowledge, wisdom, and expertise. I can't just do it all alone and I don't know it all.

But my principal makes it clear to us, over and over, that we are never to "overstep", never to make suggestions, and God forbid, never to risk "asking too much" of parents. And that more often than not means not being honest with them about how much their kids need discipline, need to be read to, need more sleep, need more exercise, or need warmer clothing.

As defensive and entitled as I often find FCPS parents, I do give them the benefit of the doubt and genuinely believe that most don't want to raise jerks and incapable people. More information usually helps. And I think it's not too much to ask school aged children to manage dressing for winter, walking in snow, and playing outside in the rain. When we know a child lacks rain gear or snow gear, we can put our vast resources to work to help obtain needed items for families. But if kids are always sheltered from minor discomforts and never get to play in rain or snow (for example), we can't help them become people who can function in rain and snow. I feel similarly about deadlines and minor bad grades. Let them fail now, let them face challenges now, so they will grow the capacity to deal with setbacks when older.

But just a mean old Gen Xer who thinks kids are far more capable than we give them credit for, as a system.