Parents calling for recess for Howell school pupils
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

HOWELL - Children in the Howell K-8 School District spend a little more than six hours in school each day. The students' only break from class is lunchtime.

And while many of the children eat, they don't all go out to play. Some parents are upset at that situation and want the Board of Education to mandate a 15- to 20-minute recess into the nutrition policy.

The issue was the topic of conversation at a July 31 meeting of the board's policy committee.

Christine Truisi, the mother of three sons ages 7, 11 and 16, said she learned that her Howell public school children were not having recess. Truisi said the board needs to find a way to implement some unstructured play time into the school day.

"I want to see a policy in effect that mandates that all the children will go out," Truisi said. "They talk about childhood obesity ... nutrition and exercise go hand-in-hand. The schools should be responsible for some part of it. Fifteen to 20 minutes is not too much to ask."

Marie Walton, the mother of two children, shared the same sentiment. Walton has a second-grader and a fifth-grader at the Taunton School. She said one of her children is not going out on a consistent basis.

Walton took action, compiled her research and addressed the policy committee at its July 31 meeting.

In a prepared statement Walton said, "My passion for school recess began about two years ago. I have spent countless hours collecting information and researching this problem, including speaking to children in other schools within our district before going to our local board for their help.

"I do understand the pressures that have been put on our teachers to produce high test scores, however, several studies show that children who are given a daily recess break actually perform better than those who are not" given a break.

Walton made a distinction between recess and the students' physical education classes, saying, "Recess and physical education should not be confused. Physical education is structured instructional time [and] recess is an opportunity for our children to engage in unstructured play, socialize, problem solve, share and release the stresses of everyday school pressures."

Parent Bonnie Vanhouten agreed and said there is too much pressure on the children.

"The children need that downtime. They need to socialize and be children. These kids need a break, if not through recess then another outlet," she said.

Although recess is not explicitly stated or required within district policy, it states that "the school district shall provide a pleasant dining environment for pupils, and schools shall attempt to schedule physical education or recess before lunch whenever possible."

Assistant Superintendent of Schools Susan Vonsover said members of the policy committee will report to the full board and to Superintendent of Schools Enid Golden.

"We will meet with the principals to get feedback. If we need to write a policy on recess we will incorporate it into our wellness policy," Vonsover said.

Board member Elizabeth O'Connell, who chairs the policy committee, reiterated Vonsover's comments and said the board will look into the matter to see if a regulation can be adopted to match the existing policy.

The other members of the policy committee are school board members Robert Antonaccio and Louis Corato, and citizen members Jeanette Smith, Jerry Tortora and Jacqueline Tennant.