Don't Turn Recess Into A Multiple Choice Question

I think it is clear that lee wolf blum does not care about the well being of her children or ours for that matter. I was shocked to hear her on the news pushing her BLOG!?! She likes to listen to herself talk and I really wonder if this whole petition is just a blog entry for her and not something she takes seriously. I am embarrassed as an Edina community member at this blog and the behavior of many of these comments. Bullying is not a "right of passage" and just because you were bullied as a child does not mean that this generation needs to be, we have an opportunity to make the worst part of the day for the school into one of the best parts of the day....stop being the helicopter parents and let the school try something new for longer than a week.

Do the teachers ask parents about new math books that they want to use? NO they do not. You trust that the teachers and principals have researched it and are comfortable with the book. Same thing applies here, everyone needs to relax a little on this issue. The people that started this have a known track record of complaining about everything.....

Agree with everything Marne Chaput said. The parent reaction has been so disappointing and plays into every Edina stereotype that is out there. The behavior of the parents is downright embarrassing and frankly, unjustified (I have watched recess several days this week and the kids don't seem to truly care/notice). What a way to make an impression on our new principal...

This is about the school district implementing a program that will affect thousands of our Edina kids without any input from not only parents but our teachers as well. It's a discussion based on facts and what recess is all about.

Paula, that's the DO's job. We are simply asking them to do their job and do their due diligence.

I think before people make a decision on either supporting or opposing the pilot that we also take into account our teachers at Concord and their opinions. They spend more time each day with our children than we do. Their opinions matter and to not listen to them/ask them is creating a negative culture at school for them which in the end has an affect on our kids. I urge people to be cautious how your responding to one another. There are a lot of people in our community that have witnessed this discussion including our teachers, neighbors and friends. Growing up in Edina and choosing to raise my children here, I have never witnessed such a negative discussion with parents against a school issue.

Fair. "Vote" was the wrong word and it is an open forum. I will just say then, I would hope that after the dialogue, any decisions moving forward are based on the input of the teachers, students and parents in the Concord community.

This petition is simply an open forum for discussion. This is not a vote and all opinions are welcome.

Well said, again. On a separate note, for the district/board members who may review this petition--please note, that there seems to a good number of people weighing in here that don't have kids attending Concord. It may be their time to pay attention, but it is not their time to vote.

Shannon, I absolutely agree with you. The prolonged free play that my kids are able to experience by intentionally not over scheduling them has been crucial to their development. We live on a block where free play runs rampant. My kids have experienced all of the things you listed during their free play with friends in our neighborhood, including feeling hurt and left out, struggling to know their place. I wonder, though, why we are so gung ho as parents to attend parenting seminars and classes so we may have "tools" to deal with parenting issues, but are not able to see this as an opportunity to provide our children with "tools" that may assist them in their peer interactions. I am also very concerned that we are not looking to the real experts, the teacher's, who are with our children every day, and constantly deal with the fallout from recess. Let's talk to them.

Creative, imaginative play is essential for child development! Kids need to learn how to play, work and live in the real world. This means they will fight, be left out and get hurt at times. They will also learn how to get along with others, fit in and become stronger overall. Kids need to be real kids to learn how to be healthy adults. This is what I've learned as both a psychologist and parent.

Lets teach kids how to get along on the playground as we did growing up.

We do not need this program. Waste of tax dollars and time.

Kids need to play free from structure. Edina admin has reached too far and needs to stop this pilot.

Is there a venue to make this information public knowledge? I feel like such a divisive issue so early in the school year deserves honesty to move ahead and create the best environment for our kids. Personally, I am not for or against "structured recess". I would like recess to be a positive experience for all kids. My kids are not complaining about the changes, especially once the program was fully explained. I have kids who are more reserved and cautious before entering situations (as am I), and often benefit from that extended hand or invitation to participate as a stepping stone. I am a supporter of ideas/programs that teach our kids kindness and compassion above all. I have just been surprised at the almost immediate reaction from parents stemming from only a few days worth of experience with the program; as well as the response from people in the community (outside of the affected schools) who I fee are not immediately/directly impacted. I truly thank those people who have done their due diligence on this topic. I know I went back through my PTO minutes, emails and searched online to learn more. I'm positive, no matter the outcome of this issue, that Concord will continue to be the perfect place for my kids.

I urge anyone who is concerned for or against this recess program to DIG DEEP and get the facts on how this program came to be a pilot here at Concord (and why) before you make a final decision. It is surprising and disappointing.

I've taken a week to watch recess, talk to kids and staff, analyze data and studies, have discussions with anyone who will listen and talk and the conclusion that comes to me at the end of each day.....recess is too important to not get this right. Playworks is not right. Kids not feeling "right" about recess is not right. The District needs to look again....this time with more than a passing glance. Our kids deserve better. Our kids deserve the chance to play their way. This is THEIR elementary recess and we need to get it right for each and every single one of them.

Yikes, I think I just accidentally upvoted Resident, when I meant to just upvote your comment Keri. Anonymous residents, please play nice. We all want what's best for all our kids.

Let the kids play! This is ridiculous ! Hire some help. Or heaven forbid the teachers supervise recess.

Why do people comment like this anonymously?? So glad we reached this level of discourse. Two words EMPATHY and HUMILITY.