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Parent advocate urges MMSD to implement 60 minutes of daily unstructured recess
Summary
A parent and leader in Say Yes to Recess urged the Madison board to provide 60 minutes of unstructured recess per day for every student, citing research and arguing the district does not need to extend the school day to do so.
Victoria Carey, a stay-at-home parent and state leader with Say Yes to Recess, told the Madison Metropolitan School District Board on Oct. 27 that children should receive 60 minutes of unstructured recess every school day.
Carey said her daughter attends Cesar Chavez Elementary and that the district currently provides about 30 minutes that count toward instructional time under Wisconsin law. "Current Wisconsin law says a maximum of 30 minutes of recess a day can count towards instructional hours," Carey said, and she urged the district to expand recess without lengthening the school day.
She cited research by the Link Project and others, saying that daily recess can reduce chronic stress and support motor, social and academic development. "There is a wealth of research supporting the idea that play is work for children," Carey told the board.
Carey asked the board to "follow research in our district practices and get these kids 60 minutes of recess. It's great for play," and offered to provide examples and additional materials by email.
Board members did not act on the request that night; the comment was part of a public-comment docket that also addressed safety and compensation topics.
