******RECESS IS IMPORTANT!!!!!*******
Recess, with the exception of movement education, is the ONLY opportunity during the instructional day when our students will exercise. As we are all aware, exercise is extremely important for a child’s growth and includes physical, emotional, and academic impact! Recess is also an excellent opportunity for our students to release any built-up energy, which has proven to be helpful afterwards in the classroom. Students are expected to go outside for recess every day unless weather conditions are unfavorable. It is understood that ALL students need to exercise each day if at all possible.
Recess may NOT be taken from a student as a consequence for behavior unless approved by an administrator!
Structured recess may be assigned if needed. Documentation must be provided that other steps have been utilized prior to discussion with an administrator regarding taking a student’s recess.
Reminders:
Recess should be the entire time designated for recess.
Teachers will rotate and one teacher will be at recess duty each day. Please meet your grade level in the cafeteria and walk out with them.
Teachers have been asked not to assign discipline duty for the instructional assistants to complete during recess. The instructional assistants must supervise students at play and cannot have additional students who have to sit at the side walk, walk laps, or complete homework.
Please have your students ready for recess every day.
Please make sure that students are appropriately dressed for recess based on the weather conditions PRIOR to going to lunch (i.e. coats when it is cold).
Faculty and staff supervising recess need to be spread out and focused on supervising students. Adults should not congregate together and should be moving throughout their zone to maximize supervision.
Students should not be made to walk laps as a punishment. We are doing a single walk at the start of each recess period for health benefits!
Staff should not be on cell phones, with the exception of checking the time. This is important!
TEMPERATURE POLICIES:
High Temperatures (warm to hot) - 93 degrees and above
Low Temperatures (cool to cold) - 32 degrees and below
In cases of extreme temperatures, based on the acceptable weather guidelines for children, the heat index and wind chill factor will be used to establish one standard temperature of how recess will be structured for students. The teacher on duty, in conjunction with I.A's, can decide how to manage the amount of time spent outside.
Examples include (but are not limited to):
In hot weather, allowing students to play for 10 minutes and then spend time in the shade.
In cold weather, doing a lap around the playground and then doing inside recess.