Arlington Public SchoolsWellness Policy

Supplemental Recommendations

on Recess in the Elementary Schools

RecommendationSBP 25-3 Support for Students -Wellness

• Elementary schools will provide recess, typically outdoors, totaling at least 95 minutes during weeks without holidays. The number of minutes will be modified during weeks with holidays or more than one day of Early Release. Given the value of recess in a student’s physical and social development, and the need for periodic breaks from classroom instruction, withholding recess will be a rare occurrence and only used as a last resort.

State Policy Parameters• 8VAC20-520-20. Length of school term.

– A. The length of every school’s term in every school division shall be a minimum of 180 teaching days or 990 teaching hours in any school year.

• 8 VAC 20-131-05. Definitions.– “Recess” means a segment of free time exclusive of time

provided for meals during the standard school day in which students are given a break from instruction.

– “Standard school day” means a day that averages at least five and one-half instructional hours for students in grades one through 12, excluding breaks for meals and recess….

– “Standard school year” means a school year of at least 180 teaching days or a total of at least 990 teaching hours per year.

• 8 VAC 20-131-80. Instructional program in elementary schools.– C. To provide students with sufficient opportunity to learn, a minimum of

75 percent of the annual instructional time of 990 hours shall be given to instruction in the disciplines of English, mathematics, science, and history/social science.

• 8 VAC 20-131-150. Standard school year and school day.

– A. The standard school year shall be 180 instructional days. The standard school day for students in grades 1 through 12 shall average at least 5½ instructional hours, excluding breaks for meals and recess…

• 8 VAC 20-131-200. Extracurricular and other school activities, recess.– C. Each elementary school shall provide students with a daily recess

during the regular school year as determined appropriate by the school.

J. Michael Korff:[Thus, 742.5 hours should be devoted to these “core” subjects.]

J. Michael Korff:[Thus, 742.5 hours should be devoted to these “core” subjects.]

Recess Policy in Neighboring Jurisdictions

Loudoun County PS - Each school sets its own policy. According to the School Handbooks for Cool Spring

ES and Seldens Landing ES, “In grades 1-5, recess is considered a part of the elementary curriculum. It is defined as ‘a daily, 15-minute, teacher-supervised, unstructured break from the teaching and learning routine.’ Students go outside even in cold weather. Be sure a jacket or coat is brought to school.”

Fairfax County PS - Follows the SOA: “each school shall provide ... students with a daily recess during the regular school year as determined appropriate by the school.”

Falls Church City PS – The 5th Grade Handbook at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School says that there is a daily 20-minute recess before lunch.

Alexandria City PS – Alexandria currently has a mandated five-days-a-week, 15-minute recess period for all elementary schools. Recess does not occur on our 8 scheduled early release days. A budget proposal now under consideration would extend the elementary school day by 20 minutes beginning next year. If that occurs, a portion of that time (probably 5 minutes) will be allocated to recess.

•Prince Wm County PS – Each school sets its own schedule. A teacher at Bristow Run ES wrote: “Recess will be from 12:15 to 12:30. We will not have recess on our P.E. day.” At Cedar Point ES, recess is 20 minutes each day. At Marshall ES, one 2nd Grade class has a daily 27-minute recess.

Adopted APS Elementary Calendar

for 2006-2007

• Full Days: 141 @ 401 minutes = 56,541 min

• Early Release: 41 @ 266 minutes = 10,906 min

– 67,447 min

• 67,447 60 = 1124 hours, including recess & lunch

Four Scenarios• Each scenario has a 25-minute lunch.• Each scenario assumes a shortened (15-

minute) recess on Early Release Day.• Scenarios present recesses of varying

lengths:– 30 minutes– 23 minutes– 22 minutes– 20 minutes

• Scenarios are for illustrative purposes only.

Scenario 1• Recess: 141 full days x 30 min + 41 ER x 15 min

= 4845/60 = 80.8 hours• Lunch: 182 days x 25 minutes = 4550/60 =

75.8 hours

• Total R+L: 156.6 hours

• 1124 hours in elementary calendar less 156.6 hours = 967.4 hours available for instruction – significantly less than the 990-hour requirement

Scenario 2

• Recess: 141 days x 23 min + 41 days x 15 min = 3858/60 = 64.3 hours

• Lunch: 182 days x 25 minutes = 4550/60 = 75.8 hours

• Total R+L: 140.1 hours

• 1124 hours in elementary calendar less 140.1 hours = 983.9 hours available for instruction – close to the 990-hour requirement

Scenario 3• Recess: 141 days x 22 min + 41 days x 15 min

= 3717/60 = 62 hours

• Lunch: 182 days x 25 minutes = 4550/60 = 75.8

hours

• Total R+L: 137.8 hours

• 1124 hours less 137.8 hours = 986.2 hours available for instruction – closer to the 990-hour requirement

Scenario 4

• Recess: 141 days x 20 min + 41 days x 15 min = 3435/60 = 57.3 hours

• Lunch: 182 days x 25 minutes = 4550/60 = 75.8 hours

• Total R+L: 133 hours

• 1124 hours less 133 hours = 991 hours available for instruction – meets the 990-hour requirement

RecommendationSBP 25-3 Support for Students-Wellness

• Elementary schools will provide recess, typically outdoors, totaling at least 95 minutes during weeks without holidays. The number of minutes will be modified during weeks with holidays or more than one day of Early Release. Given the value of recess in a student’s physical and social development, and the need for periodic breaks from classroom instruction, withholding recess will be a rare occurrence and only used as a last resort.