I am writing this petition on behalf of countless stressed students—including both middle and high schoolers—who are subjected to long educational hours with hardly any meaningful breaks. Schools are vital places of learning, but they should also prioritize the mental and emotional well-being of their students.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recess is a “necessary break in the day for optimizing a child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development” (AAP, 2013). More than just a time to play, the AAP defines recess as “a period of free time (ideally held outdoors) during which kids can be active physically and interact socially.” This social interaction and unstructured time can help improve students’ communication skills, reduce stress, and support overall health.

While recess is often only associated with elementary school, middle and high school students also face immense academic pressure, long class periods, and limited opportunities to recharge. We believe incorporating regular breaks or recess into the daily schedule—whether through outdoor time, free social interaction, or other unstructured breaks—would greatly reduce the pressures we face and lead to better focus, improved behavior, and healthier school communities.

We—the often unheard voices of middle and high schoolers—need your support. With enough signatures, we hope to convince school administrators and education authorities to re-evaluate the daily schedule and include much-needed breaks that support student well-being and academic success.

Please sign our petition and support the call for recess and mental health breaks in both middle and high schools.