Sandy,
I agree that 1300 votes, I mean signatures is a significant statement. Take them to the school board (whom I would think are elected) and press for reinstatement. Or take this issue to the next election.....

I won't pretend to understand how Texas schools are structured, but I'll pick up on PTO Mom & Dad's point--

If you have 1300 signatures she has to listen to you at some point. It would be career-limiting not to.

Doesn't this woman have a boss you can go to? It seems to me that you have presented your case directly to her, backed up with a lot of research and signatures, and she has not come to you with a satisfactory answer. You appear to have no other recourse within the school, since you have already tried the SBDM. (What's unclear is what the recommendation of the SBDM was--did they also advise the principal to have recess, or are they on board with the Principal???)

So...given the broad base of support (and especially if the SBDM recommended reinstating recess), I would think the next most logical step would be to go over her head. The advice to go through the PTO was not appropriate, in my opinion--PTOs are generally not policy making bodies. I know our parent group wouldn't get involved in that type of issue.

Finally--you said

all she has said regarding it is that they have PE and computer and music this year.

I'm assuming you've had PE for awhile, so it sounds like computer lab and music might be new this year? Even if it's not, the principal clearly has no regard for the educational benefits of computer lab and music. That must make those teachers feel real appreciated!!! Makes me wonder if there might be a personality conflict between the principal and those teachers behind this....

I feel for your situation and I know I would be extremely frustrated as well. I think my approach would be to schedule a one-on-one conference with the principal. Try to keep emotion out of it and tell her that you need to understand her rationale for eliminating recess. There is an underlying reason, she just hasn't made it public. I don't think you are going to make any progress until you know what it is you are truly dealing with. If you have 1300 signatures she has to listen to you at some point. It would be career-limiting not to.

Hello & thanks for your time and interest.
I'll try to answer your questions:

Parents were not aware of the change (some still are just finding out) and most found out from the complaints of their "bouncing off the walls when arriving home" children.

The principal has made it clear it is her decision, alone and will be. And all she has said regarding it is that they have PE and computer and music this year. Our school is a fortunate one in that the property is huge, playground equipment new and modern and the tests scores has made our school superior of the past years, and I do not think that’s changed.

We have addressed our PTO and well… let me just say it is a smelly situation there! (*please read my posts in the “Roberts Rule” section of the discussion forums)

Thanks again for your help.

Sandy,

Let me first say that I agree with you. Children need unstructured recess time. The physical activity is positively crucial to neurological development that supports learning function. I also believe they need it for socialization and emotional health. Having said that, let me play devil's advocate for a moment in an effort to understand your situation and where you might head from here.

What is the principal's explanation for eliminating recess? Is it to increase instructional time? Could the playground be substandard and dangerous for children? Are there standardized test scores (low scores!) that are driving this decision? Does she not have enough staff to supervise the playground? Was anyone else involved in this decision like the teachers or the PTO? Did parents have an opportunity to respond earlier in the decision-making process and either didn't respond or supported her decision?

Looking forward to hearing more!

Hi, thought that I'd drop a few questions to this board with hopes of receiving some ideas of how to address the situation in our elementary school.

This year recess was deleted and when a few parents began to question why, we were told by our Asst. Super of ISD it is not a state mandated policy therefore not an ISD issue. He said they leave up to the individual schools and their site-based decision making committees. He advised us to start with them and maybe our PTO board.

When we addressed the principal we asked her why the decision was made and on what was it based. In the written request to her we also said we have researched and there are dozens of highly accredited organizations (including the National Assoc. of Elementary School Principals) who have position statements and documented studies to support what we (the parents) and most teachers already know....children not only deserve a daily break, but it is also an important past of social, mental and physical development. We asked if she had researched this before making her decision and if not, would she please. The reply she sent: "When answer was vag and rude, she simply stated "When kids get 3 days a week of instructional PE and on the other 2 they have computer lab or music, then they have no recess, OR EVEN NEED RECESS." We were flabbergasted to say the least.

When we asked if we could attend the site boards committee meeting and distribute our researched info and address them on the recess issue (again requested in writing) she replied that she would have to approve the info packet first. And that we misunderstand the role of the site based committee. She said it is "merely a committee to advise her, and they can not reinstate recess. In the end ONLY she has the final say in the decisions of the school." Again we were shocked.

Finally 9 of us attended the board meeting. 3 of us addressed the board and we were allowed to pass out the documents. We had 3 mins. Each so we pushed as much factual data on them as possible and pleaded they hear the voice of our petition for reinstating recess. We have collected over 1,300 signatures, but at the end we were thanked, and dismissed. No replies from anyone.

Since the meeting we have sent several request to the Principal asking for her explanation of the deletion of recess, and what if any well informed facts had she based her decision on. All we continue to receive from her in a reply is a quoted statue about Physical Education and how she complies with that law. She refuses to address recess as a separate entity.

This is very frustrating! And simply wrong. As adults we enjoy laws that protect our rights to daily breaks, even inmates in our prison systems have laws that protect theirs. But no one is looking out for our children’s rights, and sadly our school principal seems to misplaced priorities when it comes to our children’s best interest and well being. And that she refuses to hear the parents (petition) is in my opinion a signal that she has misconstrued the role of Public school Principal to one of absolute power.

We are angry and frustrated. Any suggestions?