In the state of Pennsylvania, we want PA lawmakers to ensure all students in grades K-12 have 30 minutes of free-play recess. In the case of secondary students (7-12), they could engage in independent study or flexible club/activity time.
Time must be safe and supervised.
Time is exclusive of lunch.
Time should allow for students to engage in social interaction or physical activities.
Time cannot be taken for additional coursework or instruction.
Time cannot be withheld, in whole or in part, for punitive reasons (consequences) or as a make-up period.
Time may be withheld by a school on the advice of a medical professional or school nurse or based on a student's IEP.
Pennsylvania is one of 11 states that has no legislation to protect free-play recess.
recess means a period of time during the regular school day, exclusive of time provided for meals, during which a student is given a break from structured classroom instruction and an opportunity to engage in physical activity or social interaction with other pupils
or, in the case of the students in secondary grades, to engage in study when not receiving classroom instruction or in flexible club or activity periods. (HB1949)
We want the Pennsylvania lawmakers to MIND THE G.A.P.
The phrase "Mind the Gap" is popular for trains, subways, or undergrounds to warn people to pay attention the gap between the station floor and the passing train.
Gaps are important. If there was no gap, the train would rub up against the platform, causing damage, sparks, and potentially fire.
Similarly, long days of education without any gaps cause burnout.
They have an adverse affect on student achievement and can impact our mental and physical well-being.
We want HB 1949 to be brought to floor to the vote with our revisions.
You can view the original HB 1949 here. (Proposed but never voted on. We have improved it above.)
We listened to the House & Human Services joint committee hearing on mental health (5/24/2021) of students in K-12 schools and we cannot help but feel that the part schools are missing is putting in preventative steps, like a GAP/recess, before services (or other reactionary steps) are needed.
Our research shows that the physical component, as well as the mental break, have positive connections to students doing mentally and academically better in schools.
If we are to grow into responsible adults, we need Pennsylvania schools to mind (or value) having a recess so that we can have a G.A.P. -
Growth of our Mental, Academic, and Physical Well-being
You can read more about our process by clicking the "Our Process & Research" button at the top. The "Founding Family" will tell you more about us and our citations can be found under our "Bibliography."
If you agree that Pennsylvania lawmakers
need to protect our students' rights to recess,
sign our petition below.
NOTE: There are TWO DIFFERENT petitions. (K-12 students or 18+ adults)
You do not need to be a Pennsylvania resident to sign our petition (we will sort our petition data) - but by signing our petitions you are supporting our goal to turn this bill into a law for Pennsylvania students.
If you are a student in a state that also doesn't have a recess law, you can contact us to help you get this started in your own state.