Get Schooled

By Lisa B.

October 16, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

According to the high command, recess is not on the CRCT. ‘Nough said. The fact that research shows excercise, fresh air, and socialization actually increase academic success falls on deaf ears. Poor kids.

By V for Vendetta

October 16, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Take one look at our legal system, and you will get your answer. A playground is a liability, both for the schools AND for the teachers. With lawsuits flying left and right these days, people are afraid of a child hurting himself on the playground equipment. Sometimes, the county refuses to install the equipment, because then the county is responsible and can be sued. This (in my mind) illuminates the woeful state of our judicial system. There is another reason, though …

The physical education of children in the school systems around Atlanta has become nothing short of a joke. Kids are encouraged NOT to play any sort of team sport. The reason: when playing a team sport you must first pick teams (meaning someone will be picked last — feelings hurt), and then one team must win (meaning one team must lose — again, feelings hurt). This is absolutely pathetic, inexcusable, and a MAJOR reason for our uncompetitive, unmotivated, and unprepared students. The real world, is not so warm and fuzzy.

Lawsuits are number one, however, and they will continue to dominate a faction of educational planning and development until something is done to fix our pathetic excuse for a legal system. Maybe then teachers can teach, parents can parent, and children can play. Heck, when I was in elementary school, the playground equipment was all made of wood, complete with balance beams, monkey bars, and tire swings. Kids got splinters, cuts, scrapes, and bruises daily. Every once in a while a kid would break and arm (purely accidental). But back then, those kids parents didn’t sue the school, the teachers, and the other kids’ parents; they understood that accidents happen, will always happen, and trying to “protect” kids from them only makes them soft and wimpy. I hate to sound like Jeff here, but kids now need to get toughened up a little.

Bring back the playground equipment! Hooray for Lowe’s! And great job bringing this up Bridget. I think the lack of physicality in school (especially, and obviously, elementary school) is a REALLY big deal. Any teacher can see the change it has wrought in kids over the past decade. It’s shocking, it’s sad, and it’s something that needs to stop. NOW.

Now let me tell you how I really feel …

:-)

By Gwinnett Educator (formerly Dekalb)

October 16, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

My former school in Dekalb County went over 3 yrs with NO PLAYGROUND! After the construction was completed, we always heard, they will bring it back. Well, after a while, we found out that the equipment had been “lost”.

When we FINALLY got it back, ask how long it took to get it assembled?? THEN..after it had been assembled, ask how long it took before we were BANNED from taking our classes out there to play on the playground due to “injuries”…(the basic cuts, scrapes..no broken bones or noses).

Up until the end of my time there…we had a playgound and plenty of space to run around in..but it just sat there for decoration. SO, we had a luxury, just couldnt use it.

By Lisa B.

October 16, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

V,

You are absolutely right about the legal implications. Years ago, when we still had recess, a group of 3rd grade teachers got into a world of trouble when a child fell off the monkey bars and none of the teachers actually saw what happened. The teachers were spread out on the playground, watching children, but none were actually looking at that particular child when she fell. The principal was pretty much done with recess after that.

As I said, poor kids.

By fed up

October 16, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

Wow, one of my kids broke her foot when she tripped and tangled it in a blanket on the floor when she was a toddler. It never occurred to me that I could sue the blanket manufacturer! I hope that the statute of limitations hasn’t run out! Blankets shouldn’t be so pliable and they definitely should have some mechanism to keep them from falling off the floor.

Then there is the beachball we bought that had a four paragraph, fine print disclaimer on it - including a choking warning in case someone though they should eat it.

So many parents and administrators are just pathetic (really - they are truly P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C) and they have these soft, chubby, pale, slightly flatulent so called “kids” who think that they are owed the world since they are told daily that they are the smartest humans to ever walk the planet. In reality, they have the social skills of a cabbage and can’t think their way out of a square room.

It’s very sad indeed.

By Erin

October 16, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

V got it exactly right … I’ll just second what she said!

By Ali M.

October 16, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

With the outdoor fish pond, they will not be able fill it up due to the outdoor water ban.

By Lisa B.

October 16, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

Good point Fed Up. We completely baby children, never let them face any consequences, then criticize them when they grow into less-than-desirable adults. I don’t know why we are doing this! Even as I say this, my 13-year-old son does not have the freedom to roam as I did at his age. My friends and I rode bicycles all over town. My son has to stay within about a mile radius of our house, and I keep tabs on him via cell phone. At least his elementary school had recess.

By jim d

October 16, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

V,

I agree on the hurt feelings point but may differ on the legal ramnifications. If it were purely a legal thing they would still have allowed kids to play that sinful / nasty / dispicable / banned game called tag. but noooooo- someone might actually be permanently scrarred by being “IT”!

By andrea

October 16, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

To reply to the PE classes being a joke, let me tell you why. On any given day, a PE teacher receives three or four “excuses” per class, written by parents of mostly overweight children who don’t understand why little Suzy needs to participate in PE. PE teachers get no support and even get criticized for having a good PE program. I have been asked to water-down my program. I am 40 years-old and do most of what I ask the kids to do WITH THEM, sometimes six times a day.

By FutonTeacher

October 16, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

If it ain’t on the CRCT, it ain’t gonna be in schools! Sad, but true. Atlanta Public Schools did away with recess years ago and only recently chose to add it back.

Thank goodness my son’s fulton county school has a playground and recess. He looks forward to it every day and he’s in the 4th grade. I wish they would include recess for students up to 6th grade. It would really help teach them better!

By Lisa B.

October 16, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

Our PE coach only exempts students from participation if they have a doctor’s excuse. This annoys some parents, but the principal supports the PE coach. I wonder how much longer this will last. The pressure from parents is sometimes tremendous. We are really lucky we still have PE in our school system!

By Heath

October 16, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

parents of fat kids suck

By MrLiberty

October 16, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

What is a school without a playground?

Worse than a prison.

Think about it. Even prisoners get time in the yard. Even one’s in solitary.

I guess Ritalin and Prozac are better alternatives.

Hey homeschoolers? Does your school have a playground?

OF COURSE IT DOES !!!!

By MrLiberty

October 16, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

Oh, and please continue saying “this must stop” over and over again. Nobody on the school board cares. Nobody in the legislature cares. Nobody at the school cares. They have your money, they have my money, they have your kid. They don’t need to treat you like a customer - you are not one. You are a good citizen who does their part to support the government indoctrination centers by handing your children over to them for rearing.

Pull you kids out, write off the money, show them you care, put them somewhere better - preferably homeschool them, and stop wringing your hands over your dilemma.

By Tony

October 16, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

Playgrounds have always been a luxury. It is one of the ways a community shows its support of a school. Parents who care about getting the best education possible are active in the school, and they work tirelessly to make sure their school has things that reflect their values for what’s important. Contrary to what MrLiberty espouses, we educators do not want to program the kids we teach. We want them to have the very best opportunities for the future.

By momtoAlex&Max

October 16, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

Just one more example of how if it “ain’t CRCT it ain’t much”.

My East Cobb school had to raise $100K from the parents in order to provide an updated playground. Why, I wonder, was this not funded my tax dollars???????? WHY is the playground not important????????

I have learnt in the just 2 years I have had a child in the public ed system is that the govt will provide NOTHING more than the bare-a$$ minimum basics. I am lucky that in my child’s school the parents and the PTA and the teachers and principals are COMMITTED to giving our children the “extras” (read: computers, playgrounds, science equipment, library books, etc.) But I am glad that at least those bloated board of ed bureocrats are getting their fat raises every year. Pigs.

By workingmom

October 16, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

I am so glad my kids go to private school. We may be spending their college money now, but its seems so worth it after reading these posts.

By Atlanta Pearl Girl

October 16, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

What’s school without a playground?

A bunch of fat neurotic kids.

Sad.

Atlanta Pearl Girl

By jim d

October 16, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

LOL Tony,

You are living proof that indoctrination is working.

The brain washing starts at the top. Teach the teachers to teach the party mantra without question!

By jim d

October 16, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

Yo Workingmom,

Don’t worry about the college money—we’re discovering a lot of ways to pay for college. You’d be surprised at the money available for college education in the forms of grants and scholarships.

By Tony

October 16, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

Jim D - What party? I missed the invitation.

By Jen

October 16, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

I went to private school…I didn’t find it gave me an advantage. I ended up too insulated and had a steep learning curve trying to fit into college.

That being said, I only realized the playgrounds were essentially PTA projects when my son started public school. Now, since I live in a nice area we have an active PTA and the school has a great playground and the kids get 2 recesses. But it makes me worry about kids in poorer neighborhoods.

This really should be something that comes out of our tax dollars. Physical activity is too important no matter your socioeconomic level…

By jim d

October 16, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

Tony,

Obviously! :)

By JustMe

October 16, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

In my day, all elementary schools had a playground that included the expected equipment (jungle gym, monkey bars, etc.) and also a couple of fields to play kick ball, etc. I think that all elementary schools should provide this space not only for the children but also as a sort of public park for the community.

Middle and High Schools do not have or need “play grounds.” They should have a standard sized track, a couple of fields, and finally a few tennis courts. Again, this space should be thought of as both for the students and also for the community as a ‘park.’

In urban areas where land is very expensive, it is easy to eliminate this land from the schools. However, if the City works with the School System(s) and views this land as a ‘park’ I do think that it will be successful in terms of land purchase and also maintenance for all involved.

I grew up in a medium sized City. The High Schools had tennis courts, as an example, that were viewed as both a school asset and also as a local park. These courts were reserved first for the students, then for the community members, and last for the general public. The high school tennis team reserved the courts for practices and matches against other schools. The school also used them for a PE class called ‘tennis.’ Other than those times, the community could use the courts. They were closed and locked after 10 PM and re-opened at 8 AM. I see nothing wrong with this approach.

By catlady

October 16, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

Recess at our school is mostly kids walking around talking eating junk food the school sells them, then throwing the wrappers on the ground.

Little playing. No time to get a game going anyway. We gotta go back in and quit “wasting” time!

By Jen

October 16, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

Yeah, the playground at Mary Lin is pretty much open to the public after hours before dark and on weekends. But since the school is immediately across the street from Candler Park, with it’s own really great playground, most parents don’t use it other than to let their kid blow off steam right after school lets out….

But it would be nice if many playgrounds could be open that way, that is, if you could ensure safety.

By catlady

October 16, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

Consistent, attentive parental supervision should ensure safety.

By catlady

October 16, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

Consistent, attentive parental supervision should ensure safety.

By jim d

October 16, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this

We never had such. I grew up in the country where we had about 1.5 acres to vent on. We carried on without supervision during recess and generally made bases of paste board carried our own Gloves and bats to get a baseball game going.

Oh, yeah forgot— bats and ball are weapons these days.

By mmm

October 16, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this

We had three broken arms in a two month period and we still have 2 recesses a day. They did have to ban back flips after the last summer olympics. One of the kids could do one just fine—but the imitators got all banged up. The administration banned soccer during recess and there was a near insurection—petitions and everything. But I do think it is reasonable that anything that requires safety gear and a referee when played for real, shouldn’t be played without that equipment “just for fun”.

p.s. we are a Charter school with a longer school day to have time for this.

By Nikole

October 16, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

Imagine having 2 great playgrounds, but recess is not allowed! Talk about torture.

By Tony

October 16, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this

OMG I have something in common with jim d. Where I grew up (in the woods) we had plenty of wide open space where we could entertain ourselves. At school, the playground was not well equipped but had plenty of room to run and play. It was hard to play ball with all the pine trees, though.

On a serious note, how many of you who propose that all this be provided with tax money are willing to pay more taxes to make it so? Playgrounds are not the kind of expenditures I want to see from government.

By Lisa B.

October 16, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this

I attended Jr. High School in Arizona. We had about 45 minutes or so for lunch. I recall scarfing a few bites down and heading outside. The school was three miles outside of town. Behind it were miles of boulders, cacti, etc. We’d go out there after lunch, climb on rocks, etc. I have so memory of teachers out there with us. We just went in to our classes when the siren went off indicating lunch was over. In high school, in that same town, the school was in the middle of town. Kids were allowed to leave at lunch. We had an hour. Sometimes we’d walk home to eat, other times we’d walk to the local burger joint, or convenience store for lunch. Attendence was taken when lunch was over. I don’t think skipping afternoon classes was a big problem. We all wanted to make good grades, and our parents would have killed us for skipping!

The law requires that adults receive breaks at work. I don’t understand why we expect children to go all day without a break, when most adults have, require, or demand one. Guess what? Adults talk at lunch, too.

By thomas

October 16, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

I think the elimination of recess began in the urban school systems like Atlanta. Those places are so fixiated on the test craze mania that everything, and I mean everything is geared to drilling for the one state test in April. The only thing taught is reading and math. No science, no social studies, no health, and no recess. Children don’t even get breaks.

Seriously. When I was in Clayton, some of the schools were in the Reading First program. The teachers had to conduct “135 minutes of uninterrupted reading” everyday. Children couldn’t even leave the room to go to the bathroom during this time. They eventually wised up and allowed one break, but come on!!!

You don’t see the drill and regimentation in the suburban schools. Students are permitted to have a normal school existence.

The point is that the worse off your school is (or what administration perceives to be), the less chance you have of getting recess.

By Ernest

October 16, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

Tony touched on something that we should consider, would we be willing to raise our taxes to fund and maintain playgrounds. I spoke to a friend that lives in northern NJ that has on one HS town. She indicated they pay roughly $2500 for every $100K of house for property taxes. I think in our county it comes to roughly $1500 for every 100K of house.

Anybody want to join me in speaking to our elected officials and request our taxes be raised so more money can go to education? We could probably ask for a school nurse for every school at the same time also…

By luvs2teach

October 16, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

“The law requires that adults receive breaks at work. I don’t understand why we expect children to go all day without a break, when most adults have, require, or demand one. Guess what? Adults talk at lunch, too.”

Amen to that, Lisa! It has always bothered me that middle schoolers go for 7 1/2 hours straight with but a 20 minute break for lunch - especially if they don’t have PE (and for some, PE’s torture, not a break). Passing time is not a break, IMO.

I would quit a job if those were my hours…and we wonder why they are off the wall by 7th period.

By DB

October 17, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

mmm, you said But I do think it is reasonable that anything that requires safety gear and a referee when played for real, shouldn’t be played without that equipment “just for fun”.

What, exactly, does that leave? What kind of sport DOESN’T have some sort of safety gear or referee? The only real safety gear that soccer uses is shin guards. Girls probably get more shin bruises playing jump-rope, compared to kicking a ball around a playground for 15-20 minutes.

Good grief, let the poor kids just play without being organized to the nth degree!