Last month, it was reported in the minutes that a parent asked, "if classroom observations will be brought back during turkey lunches."
This practice was dropped last year. The minutes record the answer:
Mr. Mudlock responded the district is trying to avoid large participation events as such due to election year threat alerts.Interesting, especially considering the turkey lunch portion when parents can come in with their child to eat continues.
This month, Monday night as a matter of fact, we learn that there will be no recess at the new Intermediate School Building according to Principal Yanek.
The question arose during a discussion on the new building and Yanek is slated to move from Bushkill to the IS when it opens.
This answer, which came across to some of those in attendance as final and unchangable, decided to start a petition to get this changed.
You can sign the petition here:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nazarethschoolrecess/
Note - when you complete the petition there is a request for funds - this is not a fee, only a system pitch to grab some money from you, don't feel obligated to pay.
For those questioning the big deal, I think it is. The IS is for grades 4-6, clearly elementary aged, and the day has been extended by one hour. Recess is critical for students (and adults too:-)
Check out a few of the resources I found:
- The International Play Association (two states have mandated recess by state law)
- 7 Reasons Why Kids Need Recess (more argument against with holding recess as a punishment, but works well none-the-less).
- Recess in Elementary School: What Does the Research Say? ERIC Digest.
- Recess and Play are Vital
- Education World
- Do Children Need Recess?
Apparently, an answer isn't necessary, the decision has been made, but you can voice your displeasure by signing the petition:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nazarethschoolrecess/
20 comments:
The fact that recess "appears" to have been cut is not surprising. Even the underhanded way this was presented is not surprising, given this administration's track record with these types of decisions.
I want to hear the reason for this decision. Not that I'm holding my breath, but I expect to hear "the research shows....X, Y, Z"... I mean, whenever the admin is questioned, the typical answer is:
1) The research supports this
2) A committee decided this
Well, it's time for people to demand accountability from our administration. So far, there hasn't been any.
When I set up the online petition, the first I have ever attempted, I didn't realize they would ask for donations, it doesn't happen when I check in, maybe because I was the sponser...Ross thanks for pointing out that you do not have to contribute
I plan to compile the signings (already at 82 before Ross's post so please keep them coming) and present the public petition to the board and administration at the 11/17 school board meeting
If, like myself, you want to see recess returned to the 4th, 5th and 6th graders daily schedule and believe they need to invest funds into a recreational area that does not currently exist at what will be the old middle school... I encourage you to attend the board meeting @ 7pm in the old jr high behind the high school---
Thank you for taking the time to look at and hopefully sign the petition to keep recess for our kids!
Do the students have PE? If so then there is no reason for recess.
Don't these kids goof off enough at home?
First, can't take credit for the note. A reader who was forwarded the link, sent it to me to post and told me about it.
Second, Papier Boy, PE can't replace recess because it is curriculum driven. Children (of all ages) require the unstructured nature of recess.
Kids not only need to learn to do things for themselves, but they, like you or I, need a break during the day to recharge, refresh, and refocus when it is done.
And no, I don't think most of them goof off when they get home or we wouldn't have the obesity issue we have - sad, but true.
just to clarify papier boy and others who may feel this way
PE or gym is a special and on a 4 day rotation it comes once week, occasionally twice---and it is an indoor activity
as far as goofing off if you provide a period for them to release their physical energy I believe, and studies support, that their mental capacity to focus will be stronger
additionally, the 4-6th grade day was extended to 3:30---by the time these kids get home, have a snack and do their homework it will be dark outside much of the school year
on a final note parents were told that the admin have taken all the efforts possible to keep the new intermediate school at an elementary level but when presented with the daily schedule it included 30 minutes of morning homeroom, 3 hours of language arts and math, followed by a 30 min lunch, then 1 hour each of social studies, science and specials (art, computer, gym and music).
Not everyone will agree but I believe recess needs to be brought back into the schedule as it is a vital component to the elementary day. This will mean necessary renovations to the exterior which is something Brad Moulton asked about early on and was dismissed as unnecessary by the board...becuase they were never planning on letting these kids see the light of day in that building....
This comes as no surprise. LNES eliminated recess for 5th graders years ago. They said it was "to prepare them for how hard it would be in middle school".
Recess is not just another exercise period. It is a time when young kids learn to socially interact with others, make new friends, etc. Life skills they will need in the future.
Our schools have become so focused on the PSSAs (to a large degree because the PARENTS make so much noise about it - a clue for all of you to maybe back off a little) that they have forgotten that these are still young kids and don't have the attention span to make it through a six hour day with only a thirty minute break for lunch. Which by the way seems to have so many rules that they don't even look forward to that.
My hat's off to Kelley for taking a stand and trying to rally support around getting recess added back in and I wish you the best of luck. It is important that kids get this kind of unstructured break. My guess is that your plea will fall on deaf ears based on how this district operates.
Thanks Nazo for your words of support
I do believe that if enough parents who share our belief that recess is fundamentally important to 4th-6th graders will sign the petition, plus attend the PTA and board meetings and speak up, then the district will have to listen...
maybe naiive on my part but I believe with rational, structured efforts we can make our voice be heard and then action can result...many got together and were able to get the board to stop the emminent domain proceedings on the Calandra property; the board and admin does listen when reasoning prevails
so if anyone is having trouble getting the petition---I have heard some can't log on to the site as their computer is blocking it--- please feel free to email me and I will send you the petition, then you can ask me to sign your name if you agree with its statement
my email address is akjoseph@rcn.com
THESE ARE CHILDREN!!! They are 9, 10 and 11 years old. Society complains that our children are growing up too fast yet this is the direction in which they are being pushed.
Before voting to determine any policies, the decision makers should be asking themselves, "How will this affect the children?" and "What benefit will the children receive from this?"
Allowing recess will not cause a financial burden to taxpayers. (PTAs have raised money for playground equipment at the elementary schools.) It will, however, allow for growth in ways that money cannot buy.
Also, if you travel through any of the Lehigh Valley's industrial parks at lunch time you will see adults at "recess." They are walking - getting excercise, relaxing, blowing off steam, and building bonds with co-workers. All of which our children should have the opportunity to do at recess.
Bocarex, you are so on the money with your comments. I would venture to guess the Lesky takes a break or two during the school day, as probably do the board members. Is it not good enough for our kids as well?
As I said in my earlier post, this can probably be traced directly to No Child Left Behind (flawed legislation) and more important, standardized test and our reliance on it as a benchmark of performance.
We cannot compare ourselves to surrounding districts unless they have the same demographic and socio-economic breakdown as ourselves, so they are not really a benchmark.
Parents keep asking the district how we can improve our test scores, therefore giving them and the State the ammo they need to put more emphasis on them.
Think back to when you were in school. Did you have recess? Yes. Did you take standardized tests? Yes, but they were never prepared for and were not used as a "benchmark" to measure schools.
If the collective "WE" keep pushing for these tests and making such a big deal out of them, then yes, we will continue to see our kids lose more of the fun stuff and focus more directly on "improving the test scores".
If we keep going in that direction, all we will have is a bunch of burned out kids that know nothing more than how to fill little bubbles on a test sheet.
It is time to wake up, stop talking about these tests, get teachers back to teaching the basics, and give the kids a little slack during the day.
I was at the PTA meeting on Monday night and I think that some other information is missing.
The recess issue is being blown way out of proportion. Mr. Yanek as well as Mr. Roth and Dr. Lesky did NOT say that recess was CUT FROM THE DAY. I think that is what Ms. Joseph heard but that is NOT what was said. What they did say is that recess is not being put into the schedule BUT the teacher would be able to take the students out or give them a break when they felt it was needed. They didn't want to lock into a specific time of the day that the teachers HAD to give the class recess. The teachers know when the class is starting to drag or when they might be "running out of steam" and at those times, they can give the class some down time. Allow them to go outside and run around.
The other issue is a play area. I asked my 5th grader, who will be in 6th next year, if he even uses the equipment at Shafer. He said no, they usually just walk around, or throw a football or play tag. He doesn't even want a play set.
Lets focus right now on getting the kids into the new building and the other "issues" should take care of themselves. I have total faith in the teachers. I think that if they feel that the students need recess and some time to blow off a little steam, they will let them have it.
if you feel comfortable having your childs teacher decide if the collective class needs recess or not then great don't sign the petition
i have tons of faith in teachers but i still want my kid to have a set time every day to do what they want, take a walk, sit and talk to friends...relax or have recreation
i signed and it's because 4th, 5th graders need to be elementary students, they need a set recess time and they need an area to have it and there is currently neither proposed
a.parks says
"What they did say is that recess is not being put into the schedule BUT the teacher would be able to take the students out or give them a break when they felt it was needed".
exactly! recess is not in, but breaks are
I am petitioning for a specific block of recess time that cannot be replaced with PSSA prep time or any other academic need and for funds to add an age appropriate recreational area
please reread the petition thoroughly a.parks, it is all there
if you are satisfied with random breaks and soggy fields then you shouldn't sign the petition
additionally when kids act up traditionally they lose recess, under the admin proposed plan kids act up and they'll get a break---
I consulted my wife, who is a 5th grade teacher, and she said that "kids up to 5th grade should have 15-20 minutes of recess per day." Since I bow to her in all matters relating to little kids I will shut my trap now.
I attended the BES PTA meeting tonight, Mr Yanek spoke about the recess issue. He stated basically what a.parks has written about how it will be at the teachers discretion when and how often they have recess. He did make a very good point though regarding the randomness. In this day and age of child preds., having the children on a recess schedule or routine could possibly create opportunities for the creeps. I have to agree that random might be safer. However I do agree that recess is vital and shouldn't be just added in for 10mins here or there, that is why I signed the petiton. I am sure there will be teachers who need to get "out" too, so hopefully everyone will get their deserved fresh air. He also mentioned that they are talking about basketball courts and possibly a fit-trail in the future.
I am thrilled to see Mr Yanek is now incorporating my idea of a fitness trail into his PTA presentaions, that's a first step it would seem into admitting there is a need for a recreational area for the new IS---unfortunately funds need to be allocated and plans finalized
as for the idea of having random breaks in lieu of a set recess period to avoid predators, are we going to revise recess in the K-3 bldgs for the same reason?
I don't think we need to throw money at this situation. There is a softball field and soccer field behind the building.
If they can use that plus fields around there is plenty of room to play games, walk, and run around without purpose.
They do need dedicated time, not at someone's discretion.
Randomness of time to prevent/thwart predators might sound good on paper, but c'mon has anyone been behind the MS?
The area is bordered by the school building, a quarry, a cornfield, and the maintenance building/Farmview Estates.
Our biggest fear ought to be a kid falling in the quarry.
Don't be fooled by the child predator story. I have noticed over the years that NASD is great at trying to pull on the heart strings to do what they want.
Justmyopinion has it right, if you are leaving it up to the teachers to decide when, they might be having a bad day and not give them the time to relax. And, when it is not mandatory to give a break, it is easy not to do it.
Even though this has no benefit to me or my kids, I will be signing the petition as I am sick and tired of the district taking more and more away from these kids and telling us to be happy about it.
These kids need a break as do the teachers during the school day.
Fit trails??? For children?? Are we talking about boot camp recess? Fit trails are great for adults, but kids just need unstructured time in open areas to run, jump, climb and generally unwind. Does anyone remember playing 'tag' and jumping rope? This district does not allow them to ride their bikes or scooter to school-- now ridiculous is that? They need recess. I signed the petition and my kids will not attend this school. I hope you get it...I questioned and lost this argument in LNES.
the fitness trail I proposed once in response to the admin saying 9-11 years old don't need or use playground equipment, it was an alternative
was thinking a mulch or gravel walking path with stations spaced at intervals...a chin up bar...4x4 low wood balance beam...monkey bars....tires lined up for the high step type run through.... nothing fancy or elaborate but something more than a soccer and baseball field that when soggy will be rendered unusable then bye bye outdoor recess time...
but in lieu of any fit trail how about just a swath of blacktop with bball hoops, buckets of balls and jumpropes, maybe some tables for conversing/card playing etc---an outdoor recreational area---a whole lot less than the natatorium and fitness taj mahal we've got underway...but a whole lot more than nothing
Thanks for the info about recess! Too Shy to Stop writer Natasha Hochlowski just wrote a piece about the evolution of recess and playgrounds. You can read the full article here.
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