Thanks again for all the replies.
IMHO. I think the reason why some kids do not speak up, or the parents is because they really think that no one will listen. We are taught in school to comply. Do what everybody else is doing. Don't cause problems. The old.....well, that is the way we have always done it, kinda stuff. Reminds me of that old Pink Floyd song.
The kids here are not allowed to play in the snow if there is any on the ground and we are constantly telling them to get away from piles of it. SO it is not so FUN to go out if you have basically nothing to play with.
Can you imagine 80 kindergartners running around on the black top and fighting over a few basketballs. Running into each other!
I understand the kids need to get out and run around some, but not when many of them are not dressed warm enough.
We had a week or so when the temperatures were warming up but we still had snow on the playground and we took the kids out to walk around the parking lot. That was kinda crazy too. We had some kids (4th grade ) asking if this was some kind of a punishment for something. They even would rather be inside. At least they could play games in the class room.
It would be nice if we had the gym to go play in like we did when I was a kid. I never remember going out and freezing. Who makes these rules anyway??
I have heard it used to be state regulated but now it is up to the district or each school.
I wish the parents could vote. I already have some signitures on a petition and hope they will listen to us. My kids have several years at this school and I don't want them to hate recess. Know what I mean.
Bizzymom28. Sounds to me like you work at the school too. Are you a teacher? Para? DO you go out at recess? The reason I ask is Most of the teachers want the kids to go out no matter what the weather is here. The kids do act better if they get outside and run around some. I understand that. I also have to watch the kids in the classrooms for indoor recess. It is not much fun keeping them quiet sometimes. That is another reason why I don't understand why our school does not rearrange the PE teachers classes so that at least the lunch time recesses can be in the gym. Or take them out for a quick walk around the building and then back inside and they can still have a little time to play and not be frozen and miserable. But they would get FRESH AIR. No one wants to go down a ice cold slide or sit an a swing that is stiff from the cold. Do you ever see parents taking their kids to the park to play when it is all frozen. I don't. Not unless they are bundled up with lots of layers and are out to go sledding or play in the snow. Thanks again for all the input!! Keep it coming!!
We are in Wisconsin and our elementary school goes out if it is 0 or above. If the wind chill is below zero they stay in. Most kids don't complain especially if there is snow on the ground but I have witnessed alot of kids coming to school without socks, hats, mittens, boots, snowpants, and this is definately parents responsibility. We make them go in and put them on and if they don't have them they still have to stay outside for the rest of recess. We have not had any parent complaints about the policy but alot of the recess aides have complained about the cold. I don't think it bothers kids as much as adults.
I am in central California so I don't have a clue how you guys feel about the cold. We did have lows in the 20's this past winter but very few and far between.
However, the heat is another issue for us. And it is not only the heat but the air quality since we live in a valley. Last summer we had over a month of 100 plus days. We are a year round school so we have kids in school during June, July and August. They are not allowed to wear tank tops. A 10 minute recess here or there is fine but P.E. and lunch recess are too long. If the heat index or air quality are at unhealthy levels then they have P.E. in the cafeteria (no gym) but the only time recess doesn't happen is if it is raining. We have very mixed views by our parents but it really hasn't been a hot issue for us. YET!!!
We're in Iowa and our school district policy is "outdoor recess unless the temp + windchill is below 10 degrees"!!(There is no set policy on hot weather-the principals just use their own judgement, which I think is better than the district policy). The principal mentions in every newsletter about dressing your children appropriately for the weather, and the teachers tell the kids that if their parents sent them with "stuff" they are to wear it, but you know kids. They are given extra time to put on/take off boots, snow pants, ect. We have some students with asthma and other health issues and some of their parents and others were having an absolute fit over the conditions the kids were exposed to this winter. The principal tried to change things, but the policy is set higher up and she was stuck. The administration was supposed to be looking at the issue, but I think it might have gotten pushed aside for the big budget discussions. If you're going to pursue this, don't just sit back and wait when they tell you it will be "put on the agenda". Keep inquiring(politely) and make sure to have the others who feel as you do well organized and inquiring too.
I live in Ohio and the kids stay in if it's under 32 degrees. Hot day, they play outside. We don't have air conditioning, so it's usually cooler outside in the shade than in the hot, stuffy school.
I do think if it is under freezing, the kids should stay inside. But I have to say, I think on a nice, sunny day (no matter how hot it is) the kids should spend time outside. We all survived, after all.
Our district has a 32 degree policy, whether it is 32 degrees with or without a windchill. I would like to point out that in most cases, parents are pretty good about buying the proper inner and outer wear for an area. Most children are responsible for not having jackets on here. They either forget them at home, in the car or on the bus (I know parents should make sure they have them but that doesn't always happen and even if the kid leaves home with it there is no guarantee that the child will wear it) or leave them in the classroom. Our students are notorious for not wearing their jackets out to play and then complaining bitterly about the cold.
Before you go too crazy, check your lost and found area and see what kind of stock pile is there. Then check with your school nurse who probably has a dozen or so socked away in her office.
Lastly, if your weather gets this cold every year (and I'm sure it does), be prepared to hear words that go something to the effect of "We can't keep them in all winter" or "Parents are responsible for dressing their children appropriately".
I'm not saying I agree with your current policy, because I don't. I just want to make sure you see their side before you go marching in there...
