To: Ajit Pethe, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment and Felicia Gomez-Walker, Superintendent, St. Charles Parish Public Schools
Bring Back Recess in St. Charles Parish Schools
Louisiana State Law 17:17.1 mandates that all schools, K-8 are required to provide students with 30 minutes daily of vigorous physical activity. Currently schools provide our students with Physical Education only 1-2 times per week and if they are lucky, students are afforded a 15 minute "Brain Break." Often, this much needed "brain break" is taken away from our students as an ineffective punitive measure. The American Academy of Pediatrics states: "Recess serves as a necessary break from the rigors of concentrated, academic challenges in the classroom. ... The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that recess is a crucial and necessary component of a child's development and, as such, it should not be withheld for punitive or academic reasons."
In order for our children to learn valuable lessons through free play, they must be given the opportunity to experience sensory integration, social awareness, and physical play that will allow them to come back to class and ready to learn.
Please bring recess back to our schools.
In order for our children to learn valuable lessons through free play, they must be given the opportunity to experience sensory integration, social awareness, and physical play that will allow them to come back to class and ready to learn.
Please bring recess back to our schools.
Why is this important?
My son started Kindergarten at New Sarpy Elementary this year and has come home daily complaining about there being too much classroom work at school. He would enjoy going to school more if there was less emphasis on instructional work and more emphasis on learning through play. Developmentally, children should not be punished from this highly beneficial form of learning. Our children deserve the best we can offer and there should be a 30 minute recess every day, as mandated by Louisiana State Law 17:17.1.