Links for Websites pertaining to RECESS!

http://blog.peacefulplaygrounds.com/search?q=westmoreland

Experts: Lack of playtime is hurting children - Kids and parenting- msnbc.com

NAECS/SDE. Position Papers.

http://www.education-world.com/a_issues/issues217.shtml

http://americanjournalofplay.press.uiuc.edu/1/2/pellegrini.html

http://www.geocities.com/recessplease/overview.htmlhttp://www.movingandlearning.com/Resources/Articles30.htm

Recess Myths and Truths:

• Don't the children get more exercise now with daily PE classes?

FACT: No, the children are actually getting LESS! The classes are big (an entire grade) so approx. 45-60 children, there is limited equipment to distribute, therefore the children have to take turns, so there is a lot of waiting time which equals idle-non-active time. The class time is only 25 minutes long so by the time the children get assembled to participate in the activity, they actually get very few minutes of actual physical activity! There is one PE teacher and one aide to assist in these large classes.

• The children still go outside, right?

FACT: No, the children do not go outside! They are all confined to the school gymnasium for class. They do not utilize the playground equipment.

• The children get to socialize though during gym class?

FACT: No, the children are not allowed to have any real opportunities to socialize during gym. This is a structured class just like any other. The children do not get to team up with friends for activities in gym class.

• Recess is dangerous, right?

FACT: There are no studies supporting the dangers of recess outweighing the benefits. In fact the benefits of recess FAR surpass any misconceptions children are in danger at recess. True, there may be instances where a child could be picked on or bullied at recess but children can be bullied anywhere (school bus, hallways, bathrooms, cafeteria at lunch). Does this mean we eliminate all of those things? Factually, recess provides children the social skills to deal with issues such as being teased or bullied. They learn to problem solve and come up with resolutions on their own. Recess is also monitored, eliminating any real danger.

• The children get to socialize at lunch, right?

FACT: The children are allowed limited socialization while eating but must remain seated and maintain a relatively quiet level of conversation. After eating, the children may participate in quiet activities confined to the cafeteria. The children may only do this only if the staff deems the lunch is eaten in a satisfactory manner, the children must have their lunch inspected before being granted permission to "play". This school solution has encouraged children to wolf down their food, just to get a few precious moments of freedom....Hardly conducive to a "healthy lifestyle and healthy habits". Many times the children are "told" they are going to play "MUM" in an effort to keep them quiet. Please keep in mind that this all happens in a time frame of only 30 minutes!

• The children are happy, right?

FACT: The school district wants you to believe the children are happy with this new program. At least that's what they tell us...In reality, not one of the school board members or any school officials have actually asked the children one-on-one if they are happy with no recess! And not one person who decided to eliminate recess has a child directly affected by this decision!!! Children are adaptable but that doesn't make what this school has done right!!!

• Recess is useless playtime, right? There are no real benefits to it, right?

FACT: Recess is an essential time for children to develop social skills that are needed throughout life. There is also the benefit of physical activity. Young children love to play, swing and run around at recess. They need to be able to have this "free-time" to develop their own sense of self and their own decision making skills. There are numerous studies supporting recess. Even the NYSED-Physical Education Dept. supports recess! Children who are not allowed to socialize freely could become reliant on the internet in the teenage years to socialize and make friends. This as we all know is a real danger to our youth. I will provide several links to websites to support recess.

• The school has no choice but to replace recess with gym class in order to be in compliance with the NYS requirements, right?

FACT: This completely FALSE. While the state does require children in grades K-3 to have daily PE instruction (weekly total of 120 min.), the state does NOT dictate how the schools allocate the time. This allows schools flexibility in meeting mandates. Westmoreland refuses to explore other options and presents this as a black and white issue...it is not!

• Westmoreland school officials made a recess study group, right?

FACT: Yes, the school did form a committee in response to public outcry, media attention and a petition signed by 255 people. What most people don't know is that the committee was headed up the elementary principal, Joann Ottman, who was a key player in removing recess. The committee had a total of THREE meetings. Mitch Lemaire, Westmoreland School Board President, was also a committee member. He stated during one meeting that "recess was not an option". Both Ottman and Lemaire feel that the committee has served the purpose and it's work complete...(Yes, after only 3 meetings!!!) Guess what? No recess and no real solutions from the school even though several parents had some GREAT ideas!

• The teachers don't want recess, right?

FACT: The majority of the elementary teachers want recess and were never consulted prior to this decision being made. Unfortunately, the sad truth is that our teachers are SCARED. Frightened of retaliation if they show an inkling of support! What kind of learning environment is this for children? Not a healthy one I'm sure!

Recess at Westmoreland Central School - Westmoreland, NY

Let's start with the begining...Westmoreland Central School District eliminated recess starting the 2008-09 school year for ALL the elementary students in grades K-4. Why, you ask? According to district officials, it was NECESSARY to be in compliance with NYS Physical Education mandates. NYS mandates require children in grades K-3 to have daily PE instruction with a combined weekly total of 120 per calendar week. The daily portion of the PE instruction can be met in a variety of ways, including in-class instruction performed by the normal elementary classroom teachers as long as it is under the supervision and direction of the ceritified school physical education teacher.

Unfortunately for children at Westmoreland Elementary, school officials decided the ONLY wany to meet NYS mandates was to eliminate recess in favor of daily 25 minute PE classes.

That seems like an okay idea at first, right? Truth be told, after doing extensive research on recess and it's benefits (both PHYSICAL and social), you will find this the WORST way to meet NYS mandates and is detrimental to the children of this district.