Washington – Nicholas Cooper looks forward to going to Brent Elementary School in southeast Washington, mainly because of the time he gets with his friends every day at recess.
“I play football with my friends,” he said, barely flinching after a rubber ball bounced off his back. “Defensive end.”
On Monday – an unusually warm March day, perfect for kickball, jumping rope or sacking a quarterback – Nicholas and dozens of other students listened as the National Parent Teacher Association helped launch a national letter-writing campaign to urge local and state leaders to keep recess as part of every school day.
Nearly 40 percent of elementary schools have either eliminated or are considering dropping recess, according to the PTA, because of budget concerns and more standardized testing.
Dumping recess was an idea that didn’t sit well with Nicholas or any of the other students. “It wouldn’t be fun,” Nicholas said. “I’d be bored, and I’d have to ask my mom to go outside after school.”
The “Rescuing Recess” website (www.rescuingrecess.com) invites students to express how important recess is to them.
“Research continues to show us that if children have an opportunity to take a break from their academic environment, they do better,” said NPTA president Anna Weselak, who touted recess as a way to not just burn off energy but also to develop friendships and self-esteem. “Play is children’s work, and this is an opportunity for them to demonstrate creativity, imagination and build relationships.”
