RECESS

Schenectady City School District shall provide the opportunity for physical activity, such as recess, for students in grades pre-K through 6 each full school day as per the District’s Wellness Policy. Schools shall demonstrate a commitment to neither deny nor require physical activity as a means of punishment.

Best Practices for Planning for Recess

• Create a team of appropriate stakeholders to develop a written plan for conducting recess, lesson plans and expectations, and safety procedures for recess or other physical activities.

• Provide a safe and supervised environment for students to participate in scheduled recess or other physical activity. 

• Be consistent in having recess. Do not take it away (as a punishment). Make sure all students are being supervised at all times. Invite parents to come to the school to assist but not lead in supervision.

• Develop emergency procedures for addressing injuries or drills while on recess.

• Develop back-up plans when weather or other circumstances prevent recess from occurring. 

• Consider utilizing approved parent and community volunteers to support teachers and students. 

• Schedule recess in Infinite Campus and make school staff aware of the school wide recess schedule.

Guidelines for Outdoor Play in Cold Weather

Children benefit from vigorous exercise and should be given the opportunity to play outside whenever possible. Unless it is snowing heavily or there is ice on the playground, low temperatures are not necessarily a barrier to outside play as long as children are appropriately dressed. Principals maintain the discretion to allow outdoor play periods on winter days, and utilize the guidelines temperature of 22 degrees Fahrenheit with wind chill included to establish indoor or outdoor recess.

The 3 R’s? A Fourth is Crucial too: Recess: An article about the importance of recess