I’m reposting without the link to the form email (that had data capture apparently- oops!).
SPS has announced they are capping recess at 30 minutes total for the day maximum for all elementary students – this includes kindergartners and first graders. I’m hoping fellow SPS parents, teachers, former teachers, and current or former SPS students will email SPS leadership to request a change in this policy, particularly for kids in 3rd grade or younger.
Their reasoning it to have more classroom time for ELA (English language). However, I don’t agree with that for young children – they need the recess time in order to focus on learning. More time in the classroom for a kindergarten isn’t going to result in magically improving learning and retention. And some studies suggest the lack of frequent breaks for play actually negatively impacts learning.
Emails for the superintendent and SPS board are:
boshuldiner@seattleschools.org, liza.rankin@seattleschools.org, gktopp@seattleschools.org, jllavallee@seattleschools.org, eybriggs@seattleschools.org, jemizrahi@seattleschools.org, kesmith2@seattleschools.org, vsmaritz@seattleschools.org, schoolboard@seattleschools.org
I know there is also an SPS subreddit, but I hadn’t seen this in r/seattle yet and I’m hoping more folks add their voice to the concerns about this change.
A quick Google search will bring up some form emails and more data. However, during the strike it didn’t seem like form emails were getting a response so I’d suggest anyone who is able to send a quick 4-5 sentence email asking SPS to re-instate flexibility for schools for K-3rd grade to have more than the state minimum recess of 30 minutes would be more effective.
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