For the better part of 13 years, recess has not been a part of a student’s daily life at Cornwall Middle School. That changed about a month ago after parents began requesting their kids be allowed time for play.
Principal Kate Polumbo speculates, when the middle school transitioned from the old high school, recess wasn’t a successful experience, which is why it went away. Since then, lunch periods, which are 12 minutes shorter than the regular 42-minute period, didn’t seem condusive for recess.
After requests from parents, administrators took another look and came up with a plan.
“Halfway through the period students are allowed to go outside for recess if they choose, or they can go into the courtyard and socialize with friends,” Polumbo said. “Whenever students are done with their lunch, they’re allowed to go outside either to the backfield area or they can sit in the courtyard. We just open up those areas for students to go outside about 15 minutes into the period.”
Students are required to finish their lunch and clean-up their area before asking to be allowed outside.
Over the first few days, students rushed to finish their lunch, but they eventually figured they don’t all have to go outside at the same time. Even if five minutes remained in the period, they’ll be allowed time to unwind.
“We think it’s working well,” Polumbo said. “The students seem to enjoy it, just having the ability to go outside if they want, or stay inside if they’d like.”
During their free time, students have chosen to just stand around and socialize with friends, play hide and seek, play touch football, or kick around a soccer ball.
“Play is an important part of a kid’s day,” Polumbo said. “It’s important for them to be able to run around and get some exercise. There are a million studies which will tell you how important movement and exercise is to a student’s health, wellbeing, and learning, which is why our physical education program is every other day. This is just another way we can add that into a student’s day.”
Students will only be allowed outside in nice weather, otherwise they’ll resume their normal lunch period.