Lack of recess at Jefferson and Washington Elementary Schools came under attack Thursday night at the District 88 School Board meeting.

Parents concerned about lack of outdoor recess met twice with administrators this fall and it was agreed to send a questionnaire to parents of children in grades kindergarten through sixth.

Results showed that 612 voted for recess, with 525 voting no.

According to Superintendent T.R. Olson, the district agreed to a meeting of concerned parents and school board members if the yes vote was higher than the no vote.

Tom Donnelly Jr., speaking for recess, said the ultimate question was the value to the individual child.

“We should find out the students needs,” he commented.

Mrs. Paul Bowar spoke about the group’s feeling.

“We have a good physical education program, but it is highly structured,” she said. “Children can’t relax during this period.

“Students need unstructured time to make friends, show ability to be leaders. They aren’t free to be themselves and make friends by themselves.”

Mrs. Tom Donnelly explained that her group contacted 18 schools with between 550 and 1,000 students. She stated that 17 of the 18 had outdoor recess.

“We feel our present system should be looked into,” she commented.

Most of the arguments in favor of keeping the physical education program as it now stands centered around scheduling problems, plus feeling that the children get enough time to socialize during the day.

“I don’t see what is missing with the present system,” the Rev. Gary Kasten stated. “The students have milk breaks and phy ed classes to socialize.”

The students have a 15-minute milk break in the morning at Jefferson, plus physical education class each day of approximately 30 minutes.

STUDENTS at Washington have milk break in fourth and fifth grade, plus physical education. Sixth graders have physical education, plus a 15-minute break during the day to socialize.

Kasten said that scheduling problems plus physical hazards of unstructured play should be considered.

Harry Stock, principal at Jefferson School, explained that the two activity periods during the day, milk break and physical education, fulfill state requirements.

“During the milk break, students communicate in a peer relationship atmosphere,” he remarked. “If you don’t think they’re communicating, just come and hear the high noise level.”

Charlotte Anderson, as a teacher, parent and taxpayer, talked about the short school day.

“Last year we cut each day by one-half hour and that amounts to 15 school days,” she stated. “If we took 15 minutes for recess each day, that would be another seven and one-half total school days.”

Mrs. James Howalt, who formerly was a playground supervisor in the St. Paul suburb of Roseville, explained that there were few harassments or problems on the playground.

She also added that “children need release time. They have gym class, but they need to have wiggle time.”

Mrs. John Schneeberger added that with milk breaks, physical education and lunch, there is only between 3 and 1/2 to 4 hours of actual teaching of classes such as English and Reading.

She explained that she spent three years as an insurance adjuster in a Lutheran hospital in LaCrosse, Wis. and processed 15-20 forms daily on recess injuries alone.

The school board’s comments were few on the issue.

“I can’t see why it takes a half-hour to eat lunch or 15 minutes to drink an eight ounce carton of milk,” Board Member Wanda Penrod said.“There could be some free time there to use for unstructured recess. I’m in favor of some sort of recess.”

Frank Heck, former principal at Jefferson School, explained that one half hour was used for lunch so the period could be a social situation, not just to eat.

JANET MILDENBERG, board member, hoped more teachers would take advantage of beautiful days to take students outside.

Principal Harry Stock stated he didn’t know of one teach who didn’t provide unstructured activity in the classroom every day and added, “Most also provided unscheduled and unstructured outdoor periods whenever possible.”

Donnelly concluded his groups’s remarks with the hope that the board didn’t misunderstand their reason for meeting.

“There is not a single parent involved who says we have a bad school,” he explained. “The administration and teachers have done an excellent job.”

Both elementary principals explained that no formal survey was done of teachers in their schools.

However, Stock explained that at Jefferson, discussion was held at grade level meetings. He explained that two teachers felt more time for socialization was needed, while 25 felt the present system was sufficient.

At Washington school, Bill Ferguson stated that four or five felt more unstructured time was needed, while 34 thought the present system was good.

The board took no action Thursday night.

New Ulm Daily Journal

Jan. 17, 1975