Sunday, April 9, 2017

Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 4/9/17

What southern Florida is talking about this week:

Mandatory recess for the kiddies.

Disclaimer:  my kiddies don't go to school as they are actual kitties (and puppies).

Additional disclaimer:  my recess prowess peaked in 5th grade when we played snotman (basically a game of tag that included a home base of a flag pole that the "safe" folks could use to form a human chain to save others ... except the one from whom the others were being saved was more than just "it" -- he was snotman [and I went to elementary school back in the 80's when we could be willfully sexist in the naming of our recess games -- I'm sure it will be called "snotperson" and open to all when it gets revived at an upcoming Southeast Elementary class reunion]).

That being said, the problem in my new home state is that recess is being squeezed out by too many other legislative requirements that schools can't quite juggle in the normal school day OR it's no longer unstructured free-for-all time so that it can count towards physical education for those administrators busy keeping score.  The proposal is that there be a mandatory 20 minutes of free play every day from kindergarten through fifth grade -- and with it being Florida, that's likely rain or shine ... or hurricane.

It's only a matter of time before we start hearing the cries of "make recess great again"!

THE LATEST RECESS BATTLES:
http://wfla.com/2017/04/05/legislators-at-odds-on-mandatory-recess-bill/

THAT HAVE APPARENTLY BEEN FESTERING FOR AWHILE:
https://thinkprogress.org/recess-is-under-attack-and-these-parents-are-exercised-8864fe092267

EVERYTHING I KNOW I LEARNED IN RECESS (?):
http://www.gurl.com/2013/01/02/recess-childhood-play-outside/#1