Research shows that recess is a critical part of a child's school day. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, recess offers substantial benefits by contributing to a child's physical, social, and emotional development. It provides a necessary break from the concentration required in academic tasks. Academic performance can improve when students have the opportunity to take a break and engage in physical activity.

Unstructured playtime, such as recess, encourages creativity, decision-making, and problem-solving. It helps develop social-emotional skills by allowing children to interact freely, form friendships, and resolve conflicts on their own. This important time also aids in reducing stress and stimulating a positive mood, factors that are crucial for a child's mental health.

Incorporating a mandated 30-minute recess period in DeKalb County schools is a vital step forward. This time should be preserved and protected, ensuring it's not taken away for any disciplinary reasons. Our children deserve an educational environment that prioritizes their holistic growth, supporting not only their academic pursuits but their overall well-being too.

We urge the decision-makers of the DeKalb County School District to implement a policy that requires 30 minutes of daily recess for students. Parents and teachers in the county are especially concerned about classes that have 10 minutes or less of actual unstructured play time due to the time it takes to line kids up, use the bathroom after lunch, transition times, and walking to the playground. The new schedule for subjects and ELA minutes requirements have made it almost impossible for students to get the recess time they desperately need. Let's provide our children with the necessary playtime and help foster a balanced educational experience.

Sign this petition to make 30 minutes of daily recess a reality for the elementary schools in DeKalb County. Our children's right to play and comprehensive development should be non-negotiable. Together, we can make this change happen.