Comments on: Play ball! Recess mandated now at DeKalb County schools

By: Mandatory Recess « The L.I.F.T. Weblog

Mandatory Recess « The L.I.F.T. Weblog — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:08:32 +0000

[...] Mandatory Recess DeKalb County, in Atlanta, GA, has mandated recess for k-5 students. [...]

By: Sarge

Sarge — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:00:38 +0000

Good for you, Olie…Keep on a’marchin!

By: Oliver

Oliver — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:38:22 +0000

I turned 76yrs young last week! I am very active, go dancing (swing) at least twice a week! I take 10 vitamins daily, and get a full check-up every four months. I’ve been going the same physican 24yrs next month. He is a wonderful Doctor and a great human being!

I am on no prescripton drugs from my doctor!

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:31:19 +0000

If there have been no recesses, no wonder there are children that have a hard time sitting still.

By: judy

judy — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:24:34 +0000

Maybe the lawmakers in Georgia could do something for the other school systems. In one county, elementary school children are in school for seven hours with less than a 15 minute break.

By: Sarge

Sarge — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:04:28 +0000

Incidentialy, the renaming of trailers-to-cottages is just another “chicken stuff” feel-good tactic employed by the powers that be. Remember the city preparations when the Olympics were coming to town? How many high-crime street names were changed in the idiotic perception that this would somehow make things better? Along the same mis-directed fooling-no-one-but-yourself vein, this name change is simply an inexpensive (read CHEAP) means of hiding from an existing problem. Kids aren’t that stupid…after sitting in trailers for their entire academic careers, the powers that be think the kids are going to feel like they’ve been somehow transported to a “learning-enhanced” bucolic environment.

These two events pretty much typify the head-in-sand approach our civic leaders resort to in dealing with their responsibilities. TAX DOLLARS AT WORK!

By: Sarge

Sarge — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:41:05 +0000

THANKS FOR NOTHING…talk about the insistance on reinventing the wheel. Next thing you know, they’ll schedule restroom breaks and have the nerve to put a positive spin on this “ground-breaking” achievement in education.

By: Lucille

Lucille — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:05:07 +0000

I am old school……when I was in high school we had recess! Guess what, we did not have the discipline problems that we face in schools today. But this what I think…..kids in school should not have to placed at a disadvantage by other kids who have no real desire to be educated. Teachers should not be put in the position of being parents!! If your kids can not come to school and stay out of trouble, then as parents you should be responsible for their education……..Take them home please.

By: jim d

jim d — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:32:48 +0000

Dekalbmom,

just as long as people will look at the larger picture when elections roll around and don’t focus on this small victory.

By: Old School

Old School — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:34:32 +0000

Tony, I agree that consequences for poor behavior are necessary but why not have a timeout spot outside where the child can just sit quietly and watch his friends enjoy their freedom while all are under the supervision of the teachers? Twice in the mushpot was enough for my girls and for some, just the threat of missing the activity and fun was enough to encourage good behavior. I have my own version of the mushpot (a dog house drawn in the corner of my marker board) that is amazingly effective with my high school students. Just jotting a name in the dog house elicits an immediate apology and corrected behavior. Consequently, I haven’t had to “write up” anyone in several years and then it was for a flagrant disregard for a school rule. A lighthearted approach? Yes, but it works for me and it works very well.

As for the mandatory part: the child IS outside during recess getting all that sunshine and fresh air. He’s just limited to a small patch of playground. Perhaps even that small change of scenery could be enough to calm him for the rest of the day and improve his behavior.