Reinstate Our Recess

There is a misconception in our society that recess does not serve any real purpose. The Board of Directors of the American Association for the Child's Right to Play (IPA/USA) believe that recess is vital to the child's overall healthy development. This decision to eliminate recess in our Laveen schools has many parents and students against. The younger children at the school need time during the day to release their energy, and they now cant do that. The only "recess" break our children get is offered as a combined lunch/recess which our children scarf down their food if they want a chance to run around. Many people in this growing community are changing their attitudes about this no recess policy. Our children are not being able to be children.

On May 11, 2010 the Governor of Arizona signed ARS15-108 stating that no later thank January 1, 2011, each school district governing board and the governing body of each charter school shall conduct a public meeting to consider the adoption (in our case RESTORATION) of a policy to provide at least thirty (30) total minutes of recess each day for pupils in kindergarten programs and grades one through five.

15-108. Recess policies

A. No later than January 1, 2011, each school district governing board and the governing body of each charter school shall conduct a public meeting to consider the adoption of a policy to provide at least thirty total minutes of recess each day for pupils in kindergarten programs and grades one through five. Each parent or guardian of a child who is enrolled in the school district or charter school, as applicable, shall be provided notice of any public meeting called pursuant to this subsection and shall be provided an opportunity at the public meeting to comment on the proposed policy. After receiving public comment, the school district governing board or the governing body of the charter school shall discuss and vote on the adoption of the proposed recess policy.

B. If a recess policy is adopted pursuant to subsection A:

1. The recess requirements shall consist of structured physical activity outside or inside the classroom.

2. Physical education classes may be used to satisfy the recess requirement.

3. Unstructured recess time that occurs immediately after lunch periods does not satisfy the recess requirement.

C. School districts and charter schools that do not provide instruction to pupils in kindergarten programs or grades one through five are not required to conduct a public meeting pursuant to subsection A.

Please help us get recess back to our Laveen children by signing this petition. The recess issue will be placed on the agenda for the October 21, 2010 Governing Board meeting. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Desert Meadows School cafeteria, 6855 W. Meadows Loop East, Laveen, Arizona. Individuals who wish to address the Board must complete the required form (available at each meeting) and submit it to the Board secretary before the meeting convenes.