Let our children play
Recess times are inconsistent and arbitrarily decided by individual schools
This is not a complaint, just an observation by a concerned parent looking at school practices regarding recreational periods, or recess/lunch periods, at schools.
You would think that there would be a uniform schedule that would be applied to all schools across the Island regarding physical activity periods. That despite the differing school start times and end times there would be a formula or format for when and how long students would be outside enjoying recreational activities. After all, we want to discourage rampant childhood obesity rates by giving our children as much activity time as possible.
This also allows them to burn off energy through exercise and apply themselves more diligently to their in-class studies.
I was surprised to learn, from the Canadian Public Health Association: “In Canada, 31 per cent of schools do not have policy concerning daily physical activity periods for students and only 48 per cent of Ontario elementary schools have a physical education specialist to teach those classes.
“Since children spend a significant portion of their waking hours at school, opportunities for physical activity, such as recess and physical education, are essential in ensuring that they adopt healthy active lifestyles. In Canada, 90 per cent of teachers and 86 per cent of parents believe that physically active children are better able to learn and are better behaved in class. In addition, a recent review of 50 studies found positive associations between recess and development of cognitive skills, including improved attention and academic performance; there is also strong evidence to suggest that recess and play can prevent bullying and improve student behaviour, resulting in safer schools and more time for teaching.”
I’ve had a look at a number of different elementary schools across the Island, including Georgetown Elementary, to determine if all schools are offering the same amount of recreation periods (recess).
Turns out, they are not. It seems to be an inconsistent and arbitrarily decided by individual schools.
While I understand that students must receive 300 minutes of instructional time per school day, this should leave 60 minutes for lunch and recreational periods.
For example at Georgetown Elementary, currently students are afforded a 10-minute morning break inside, a five-minute afternoon break inside and a 25-minute break outside at lunch.
It seems more desirable from a student health and wellness perspective to break up their day by including regular physical activity or recreational periods throughout the day.
You could apply a formula that would require specific recess periods. I would suggest that a 15-minute morning recess outside, a 15-minute lunch period, followed by a 15-minute recess outside (or vice versa if it makes it easier to get children to eat their lunches), then another 15-minute afternoon recess outside would be a healthier and more balanced way of structuring elementary students’ time. It would break up their day in a regular and understandable way and it would allow them the opportunity that every working person enjoys: two breaks and a lunch.
Regular play and exercise will improve learning, concentration and that word educators are so fond of: outcomes. Play and physical activity are an important part of a healthy childhood lifestyle.
I know what Public Schools Branch staff and principals will probably say, “We don’t have the staff to offer these opportunities.”
It’s your job to advocate in the best interests of our children, to put systems in place to facilitate a healthy school environment, to hire the staff to supervise these recess periods.
It’s time to open a dialogue between parents, Home and School Associations and The Public Schools Branch about educational practices on the Island. Let’s improve the quality of educational instruction on the Island. Let our children play.