Dr. Peña is already considering increasing daily recess time at Baldwin from 20 to 30 minutes, but first she needs to see that this is a priority for Baldwin parents. We are asking Dr. Peña to allow our kids to have a minimum of 30 minutes of recess daily and to stop removing recess for punitive or academic reasons.

Many Baldwin parents are not aware that our children are only allowed a single 20-minute recess amidst a 7-hour school day. Additionally, most parents are not receiving communication that it is a common disciplinary practice for faculty to withhold or threaten to withhold precious minutes of that recess as a consequence for classroom behavior and/or not completing academic work.

We'd like Baldwin Elementary to view recess as a valuable and essential learning time for children. Research has proven that children NEED recess to develop social skills, hone problem-solving skills, explore their own ideas, recharge their minds after long periods of structured activity, and to simply move.  Furthermore, research has shown that adequate recess time (ideally 30 minutes or more) improves student behavior and academic goals. Children who have recess are better able to manage their behavior and focus on learning in the classroom. Additionally, it is recommended by health professionals that recess not be withheld, not even for a few minutes, as doing so may be detrimental to health and development.

For specific research results, please visit:

http://ipausa.ning.com/page/recess-research

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/131/1/183.full

http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2014/08/06/336361277/scientists-say-childs-play-helps-build-a-better-brain

Increasing daily recess time at Baldwin to a minimum of 30 minutes and doing away with the practice of withholding recess as a disciplinary action starting with the 2015-2016 school year is an achievable goal if we as a community make it a priority. Childhood is fleeting. Let's allow our kids to be kids while they still can be.