We the parents of Portsmouth grade school students and the parents of Portsmouth Middle School students are requesting the following:
- FOR PORTSMOUTH GRADES 2-5, the school board and the administrators increase unstructured recess to two - 25 minute sessions, OR one - 50 minute session during the school day
- FOR PORTSMOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL, the school board and the administrators give students one 30 minute unstructured movement break during the school day.
Updates
July 26, 2019
The feedback from local families continues to highlight how necessary consistent movement is for student development. I am currently organizing the collected testimonials to prepare for our upcoming presentation to the school board.
July 26, 2019
The momentum behind this initiative has grown significantly over the past week. It is clear that the community shares a deep commitment to ensuring our children have adequate time for unstructured movement during the school day.
Reached 100 supporters
July 26, 2019
46 Comments
As parent and school board member, I am in strong support of this conversation. I think we'll need to work with building leaders to structure the time and get specific about how it will work in the school day (beyond what is here) and excited about figuring that out
I think at the elementary level this is a fantastic idea. There are so many studies that show how this improves children’s focus, willingness to learn, and health. As a Special Education teacher, I find that a majority of my students benefit from extra movement. However, at the middle school level I do believe this needs to be a structured 30 minutes. Clubs could be offered, sport games, ect. Sadly no structure at that age leads to a lot of trouble!
I whole heartedly support this increase in movement time. I am a psychotherapist and am familiar with the research backing both the short and long term benefits of added movement for kids during the learning day. Thank you for your attention in helping to find innovative ways to enhance learning as well as student care and comfort
Please apply this request to children in Kindergarten and First Grade as well, along with implementing the NH play-based Kindergarten statute. If commingling grades is an issue, grades are currently commingled at drop-off in the morning and in after-school programs. Thank you, Elizabeth Barrett Dondero Parent
Thank you for devoting yourself to this! My 7th grader could use sure a break other than a quick lunch.
Studies show that kids perform better in school when they have more play time.
Agreed
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We the parents of Portsmouth grade school students and the parents of Portsmouth Middle School students are requesting the following:
- FOR PORTSMOUTH GRADES 2-5, the school board and the administrators increase unstructured recess to two - 25 minute sessions, OR one - 50 minute session during the school day
- FOR PORTSMOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL, the school board and the administrators give students one 30 minute unstructured movement break during the school day.
Updates
July 26, 2019
The feedback from local families continues to highlight how necessary consistent movement is for student development. I am currently organizing the collected testimonials to prepare for our upcoming presentation to the school board.
July 26, 2019
The momentum behind this initiative has grown significantly over the past week. It is clear that the community shares a deep commitment to ensuring our children have adequate time for unstructured movement during the school day.
Reached 100 supporters
July 26, 2019
46 Comments
Completely support! And it goes beyond movement (which is crucial.) Kids need unstructured time to just PLAY and use their imaginations. Many studies have shown how this time develops skills such as negotiation, leadership, teamwork etc. Movement and free play - yes please.
As parent and school board member, I am in strong support of this conversation. I think we'll need to work with building leaders to structure the time and get specific about how it will work in the school day (beyond what is here) and excited about figuring that out
I think at the elementary level this is a fantastic idea. There are so many studies that show how this improves children’s focus, willingness to learn, and health. As a Special Education teacher, I find that a majority of my students benefit from extra movement. However, at the middle school level I do believe this needs to be a structured 30 minutes. Clubs could be offered, sport games, ect. Sadly no structure at that age leads to a lot of trouble!
I whole heartedly support this increase in movement time. I am a psychotherapist and am familiar with the research backing both the short and long term benefits of added movement for kids during the learning day. Thank you for your attention in helping to find innovative ways to enhance learning as well as student care and comfort
Please apply this request to children in Kindergarten and First Grade as well, along with implementing the NH play-based Kindergarten statute. If commingling grades is an issue, grades are currently commingled at drop-off in the morning and in after-school programs. Thank you, Elizabeth Barrett Dondero Parent
Thank you for devoting yourself to this! My 7th grader could use sure a break other than a quick lunch.
Studies show that kids perform better in school when they have more play time.
Agreed
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Completely support! And it goes beyond movement (which is crucial.) Kids need unstructured time to just PLAY and use their imaginations. Many studies have shown how this time develops skills such as negotiation, leadership, teamwork etc. Movement and free play - yes please.