Requires each school district to ensure that every public school in which school days exceed five hours in duration provides up to thirty minutes of daily recess within the school day for all students in kindergarten through fifth grade and for students in sixth grade who attend an elementary school.
Summary
Bill A06939 mandates that all public and private elementary schools in New York provide a minimum of thirty minutes of daily recess for students in kindergarten through sixth grade, provided that the school day exceeds five hours. The bill emphasizes the importance of recess for the physical and mental well-being of students, promoting socialization, creativity, and stress relief through play. It also stipulates that recess should be supervised, student-directed, and free from electronic devices, with provisions for outdoor play whenever possible.
Impact
This legislation will amend the education law in New York, establishing a statewide standard for recess in elementary schools. It aims to ensure equitable access to recess across different school districts, addressing disparities in the amount of time allocated for play. The bill also prohibits withholding recess as a form of punishment, thereby reinforcing the importance of play in the educational experience.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding Bill A06939 appears to be positive, with recognition of the need for structured playtime in the school day. Discussions highlight the benefits of recess for student health and development, although there may be concerns regarding implementation and resource allocation in districts with limited facilities.
Contention
Notable points of contention may arise regarding the logistics of implementing the recess requirements, particularly in schools without adequate outdoor space or resources for physical play. Some stakeholders might express concerns about how schools will manage recess supervision and the potential impact on academic schedules.
Same As
Requires each school district to ensure that every public school in which school days exceed five hours in duration provides up to thirty minutes of daily recess within the school day for all students in kindergarten through fifth grade and for students in sixth grade who attend an elementary school.
Requires each school district to ensure that every public school in which school days exceed five hours in duration provides up to thirty minutes of daily recess within the school day for all students in kindergarten through fifth grade and for students in sixth grade who attend an elementary school.
Adds to existing law to require public schools to offer daily recess to students in kindergarten through grade 5 and to encourage public schools to offer unstructured activity breaks for students in grades 6 through 8.
Adds to existing law to require public schools to offer daily recess to students in kindergarten through grade 5 and to encourage public schools to offer unstructured activity breaks for students in grades 6 through 8.
Adds to existing law to require public schools to offer daily recess to students in kindergarten through grade 5 and to encourage public schools to offer unstructured activity breaks for students in grades 6 through 8.
Schools; phasing in a reduction to the maximum number of students allowed per class in kindergarten through fifth grades; exceptions; effective date; emergency.
Requests the state Department of Education to study the feasibility of incorporating recess into schedules for elementary school students in grades kindergarten through three