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Illinois Legislature Considers Mandatory Recess

By Stephanie Tyrpak
By Jared Roberts

Story Created: May 11, 2012 at 5:17 PM CDT
(Story Updated: May 12, 2012 at 8:57 AM CDT)

WSIL-TV -- New Illinois state legislation would require schools to give children at least 20 minutes of recess a day.

Senate Bill 636 would apply to students in kindergarten through 5th grade, and that recess time couldn't be withheld as a form of discipline.

The bill passed the Senate earlier this week by a vote of 32 to 20 and has been sent to the House.

Time on the playground has been the dream of schoolchildren for hundreds of years. Schools today incorporate it into curriculum and use it to keep students focused.

Thomas Elementary in Carbondale is structured with recess in the morning and during lunch.

"That way they're ready to work,” said second grade teacher Amy Dozier. “They're ready to listen.”

Ziegler-Royalton has time throughout the day, totaling more than 40 minutes.

"Trying to hold them into one spot for an extended period of time, a desk, sitting, any parent would know that's a very difficult process,” said Principal Chuck Bleyer.

If passed, new legislation would require schools to provide 20 minutes of mandatory recess. It's an idea - that both schools agree is a good intention.

As part of the bill, students couldn't lose time from that mandatory recess as a form of punishment.

Teachers at Thomas have been moving away from that for years, using more incentive-based discipline.

"We just try to reward them in different ways that actually hopefully isn't taking away from the academics, but actually adding to the academics,” said Dozier.

Students of Dozier have parties or treats that reinforce good behavior, but Principal Bleyer believes withholding recess is a discipline tool that makes a difference.

"Mainly in incidences where the student is behaving poorly," said Bleyer.

Having that removed by the legislation would limit teachers' options.

"They get into a scrap, into a fight, whatever it may be with another student,” said Bleyer. “Most teachers will then withhold them from the recess the next day to stop the behavior."

CAT Tracks Editor's Note:

Uh...

Mr. Politician, Sir or Madam:

How long can we take for potty break?

Follow-up question:

Since the principal always tells us to only let a child leave the classroom to go to the bathroom in an "emergency"...

...could you please define "emergency"?

And...

Please, please, please...don't do like U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart did with pornography, saying: I know it when I see it.

You mess around with bathroom privileges, you get, well...a mess!

We had to lay off our custodians due to budget cuts, so (like they say about Vegas) what happens in the seats and the floors stays in the seats and the floors.

BTW...

That "moment of silence" thing that you passed a while back?

It ain't workin'...especially toward the end of the school year!