PLATO: "Do not... keep children to their studies by compulsion but by PLAY" Greek philosopher 

ALBERT EINSTEIN: "PLAY is the Highest form of Research"  

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RECESS: is a non-instructional activity during the school day that provides students the opportunity to engage in physical activity that promote social development. Recess may include structured activities, organized games, fitness activities, and/or free play but may not be instructional in nature. (Chicago Public School's Recess Readiness Guide)  

EMPIRICAL RESEARCH FINDINGS of META REVIEW, Centers for Disease and Control, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Psychologist Pellegrini, one of the foremost American researchers on play and physical activity in children and adolescents, and many more have examined the data of THOUSANDS of students of ALL AGES and it is safe to say that the findings are that recess is IMPERATIVE for the EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT of the WHOLE CHILD of EVEN MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. 

IN 2008 THE US DEPT. OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES RECOMMENDED THAT CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN 60 MINUTES (1 HOUR) OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DAILY! School time is unfortunately the only time some children have to be physically active or socialiize and make friends during the day. Which are some of the things that make life beautiful and bring HAPPINESS! This, due to early morning and late buses. As well as homework and/or the fact that kids often just aren't aloud to run freely for safety reasons as they did in the past.

THE FACTS ARE AS FOLLOWS: 

I. "The CDC, CENTERS FOR DISEASE AND CONTROL:recommends 150 minutes of physical activity/week for elementary children and 225 MINUTES A WEEK FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS" f1 THAT'S MORE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL CHILDREN.NOT LESS. 

II. The ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION states that: "Recess offers nearly half of the opportunity available to promote physical activity among kids during the school year. Trying to remove recess forfeits our best chance for reaching the most students" f2 

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III. NC has the FIFTH HIGHEST RATE AMONGST CHILDREN IN THE US. f3.

****It is estimated that obesity will cost the US 344 BILLION in medical related expenses by 2018/about 21% of the nations HEALTH CARE SPENDING:NASPA (national Association for Sports and Physical Education)*****

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POSITIVE RESULTS OF A HIGH QUALITY MIDDLE SCHOOL RECESS INCLUDE: 

ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENTS: (f.14) 

II. math facts recall (f.4,) II. text facts recall (f.4,) III. native language development (f.4,) IV. ADD and ADHD f.6 V. 11% improvement in academics for SEL students (Social and Emotional Learning)(f.7) VI. Resets the brain for continued learning f.9,f.14

BRAIN FUNCTION IMPROVEMENTS: I. cognitive development (f.8 & f.13,f.14) II. production of neurotrofins (with the creation of new neurons) f.2 III. growth of new nerve cells in the hippocampus, the center of learning and memory(f.14, f.2) IV. pituitary stimulation f.14 V. brain development, memory and learning (f.2 & f10, f.14)) sleep f14;

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS: I. cardiovascular health (f.19,F1.15) II. obesity rates f.3 III. coordination skills f.19 IV. circulation f.19 V.Muscle Development f.19 

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL BEING: I. mental well being. HAPPIER KIDS! II. social and emotional educational development (f.2 f.7 ) III. adds to the overall quality of the students school experience 

SCIENTISTS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS STATE THAT THE FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE ABOVE POSITIVE RESULTS ARE: 

I. TASK SPACING (f.4 & f13) II. UNSTRUCTURED high quality recess f.13 III. PHYSICAL OPPORTUNITIES WHICH PROVIDE OXYGEN FLOW to the brain and the body f.10 And........

IV. SUNSHINE!!!      A. which sets the biologic clock f.14 B. creating the ability to sleep better at night f.14 C. better sleep results in the following improvements: 1. brain development (f.14 & f.10) 2. better memory (f.14 & f10) 3. learning (f.14 &f.10) D. Supports the immune system E. Production of Vitamin D. f14 F. Improves mental well being. Happier kids! :)

WE PROPOSE RECESS BEFORE LUNCH IF POSSIBLE because of the beautiful result that occurs from the effects of this cascading series of events as recommended by Dr. Melinda Bosenmeiyer,retired principal, of Peaceful Playgrounds in her article entitled 'Recess Before Lunch' where she states: "Recess before lunch has been implemented in schools with the effect being kids eat more, waste less food, return to class calmer, behave better and as a result instructional time is increased." 

I am a mother of three sons. All I know is that my heart hurts every sunny, snowy, chilly or warm day that goes by, knowing that all those kids would be confined to the indoors for the whole of their school day, and not get to go out to play for a mid-day break.

We the undersigned, petition the Asheville City Schools to establish a high quality thirty minute recess before lunch each day for the students of Asheville Middle School. A high quality recess is properly supervised, age appropriate, student chosen, and has many opportunities for fun physical activity. Recess must be held outside whenever possible and ALWAYS as a break in the student's instructional day.

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 Researched and written by Leslie Poplawski, the mother of three sons. Help with editing from Cindy Dollar, Caitlin Gliedman and Mary Timmer. 

"There is for many a poverty of play." D.W. Winnicott British Pediatrician 

FOOTNOTES: f.1: CDC, Centers For Disease and Control. Meta Review 'Adolescent and School Health f.2: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Sept. 2007/www.rwjf.org/goto/sports4kids:Research and Writing, Penton Communications. f.3: Valerie Delp, 'Middle School Recess', Love to Know Anne Fitten Glenn, 'Heavy Kids, Heavy Issue', Mountain Xpressl f.4: Ebinghaus 1964, Hunter 1929, Dempster 1988 Review, Pelligrini & Bjorkland 1996 f.4: Judith Kieff, 'Recesses Children, Outdoor Recreation; (Psychological aspects), Usage: Educational and State; Audience: Academic and Professional;Publication: Education International;Association for Childhood International, 0009-4067 f.6: Dr. Michael Wendt; Brain Research Study. written by Jean Blaydes Madigan in 'Texas Elementary Principal and Supervisors Association Journal of Instructional Leader', Sept. 2004 5.7: SEL students (Social and Learning) Meta-analysis of 270,000 students. f.8: (cognitive) One of America's for-most Researchers in Educational, A.D. Pellegrini & Peter K. Smith: 'School Recess: Implications for Educational Development, Review of Educational Research, Vol. 63 f.9. brain reset: Dr. Tadeusz F. Poplawski, Pediatric Neurology f.14: (pineal gland & Melatonin) Bowen, DVM PhD Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State Univ. f. 19: 'SPARK' by John J. Ratey and Eric Hagerman f: CDC 'Physical and Unhealthy Dietary Behaviors and Academic Achievement', U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Center for Chronic Disease & Prevention &Promotion, Division of Adolescent and Social Health/www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth. f: Psychologist Researcher, Anthony Pellegrini: f: Dempster, 1988 Review, Pellegrini and Bjorklund (1996);Ebinghaus, 1964; Hunter, 1929 f.13: A.D. Pellegrini (Univ. of GA)and Peter K. Smith, (Univ. of Sheffield, Sheffield England. 'School Recess: Implications for Educational Development'. f.10 brain, memory and learning: Kinoshita, '97, Dr. John Ratey BDNF( Brain Deprived Neurotropic Factor) "PLAY energizes us and enlivens us. It eases our burdens. It renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities." Stuart Brown, MD

f14. sleep: Anna Johnston, Michael Gradisar, Hayler Dohnt, Michael Billows and Stephanie McCappin: 'Adolescent Sleep and Fluid Intelligence Performance' School of Psychology, Fliders, Univ. Adelainde, South Australia,Ausralia: {f.15-Peter Gray; Author, Research Prof. Boston College; The Decline of Play and the Rise of Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents': 

PLEASE, SIMPLY EXIT OFF AFTER SIGNING THIS PETITION. NO MONEY IS REQUIRED!

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DONATE MONEY FOR RECESS SUCESS AT ASHEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL. NO MONEY IS INVOLVED IN ANY WAY WITH THIS PETITION TO BRING RECESS TO ASHEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL. PROFIT OR NON-PROFIT.  THANK YOU. LESLIE POPLAWSKI 

This sight is simply a list of recommended articles and studies and organizations and such.  There is a blog area for people do discuss concerns about the lack of age appropriate recess breaks in middle schools and even for high schoolers who want to kick the ball around or play hacky sack or what-not between class. Or just to sit on the lawn and socialize a bit at lunch.