Imagine a scenario where your children attend a public school that offers no recess at all. What steps would you take? For a group of dedicated mothers in Florida, known as the Recess Advocates, the answer was to launch a petition that eventually led to the introduction of a bill. These mothers dedicated countless hours and their own funds to meet with lawmakers in hopes of enacting change.
Despite their hard work, the proposed Florida House Bill 833 passed through three House committees without any opposition, only to be halted by Senator John Legg. He publicly stated, “I’m not going to put it on the agenda. It doesn’t merit a Tallahassee solution.” This dismissal came despite widespread support from teachers and parents alike.
In some parts of Florida, children are receiving no recess at all—not even a paltry 5 minutes. The state does not mandate recess, leaving it up to individual counties to decide, leading to a patchwork of policies across the state. While many would think that ensuring recess is a straightforward decision, the emphasis on high-stakes testing has led to a significant reduction in break times for students.
The Case of Sarah Thompson
Take the case of Sarah Thompson, a mother who discovered her second grader and kindergartner were only getting 10 minutes of recess twice a week. After inquiries, she learned that this was supposedly a district mandate, which turned out to be a miscommunication. When she dug deeper, she found that Florida only requires four hours of instruction for younger grades, meaning there should be room for recess in their six-hour school day. The district justified the lack of playtime by citing the need to maximize instructional hours for testing.
Determined to advocate for change, Sarah and fellow mom Jessica Carter followed the example of other Florida counties and initiated a petition that led to the creation of Florida House Bill 833—a bill designed to mandate recess in public schools. They found that schools with proactive parents were more likely to offer recess, and, fortunately, Sarah’s own children now enjoy 20 minutes of playtime each day. However, she continues her fight for families who may not have the same resources or time to advocate for their rights.
Many Florida schools argue that testing requirements leave no time for recess. In early 2014, the Orange County Superintendent remarked that a mandated 20-minute recess was not feasible when teachers reported they were already struggling to meet curriculum demands. HB 833 aims to require each district school board to provide students in certain grades with a minimum of 100 minutes of supervised, unstructured playtime each week, ensuring that schools cannot withhold recess as a form of punishment.
Despite the bill’s potential benefits, all Senator Legg needs to do is allow it to be heard, yet he has chosen not to. He could simply vote against it if it doesn’t align with his views, but he won’t even permit a discussion. This lack of engagement is disheartening, especially since the Recess Advocates have made multiple attempts to connect with him over the past months, even traveling to Tallahassee to voice their concerns. Their communication efforts have gone largely unanswered, leaving them to learn through the media that their bill wouldn’t be considered.
Legg’s dismissal of their advocacy raises questions about accountability, as he is elected to represent the very constituents who are advocating for their children’s needs. As Sarah puts it, “If recess is really in high demand, he’s unlikely to be back in 2017, and lawmakers can reconsider the idea then.”
Very few states mandate recess, but if you’re facing similar challenges in your local school system, take a cue from Sarah’s experience: vocal parents can drive change, even in the face of resistance from elected officials. Remember, Senators are accountable to their constituents, and your voice matters.
“This isn’t a time issue; it’s a priority issue,” Sarah asserts. “Recess is vital for children’s development. Every child deserves the chance to play.”
Let the Kids Play!
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Summary
A group of mothers in Florida, known as the Recess Advocates, is fighting for a bill that mandates recess for public school students. Despite passing through multiple committees, Senator John Legg has refused to put the bill on the agenda, citing it as unnecessary. The advocates argue that recess is essential for children’s development and that parents can drive change even when faced with resistance from lawmakers.
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