“RECESS” Going to the Board Next Week 

Yesterday, August 30, 2005, UTD received a DRAFT of the Superintendent’s Recess Implementation Proposal. Based on the positive feedback our members have given regarding the concept of recess – unstructured playtime – President Karen Aronowitz made several recommendations for modification to the documents she received.  Her suggestions were well received and hopefully will be included before the Board’s Committee meeting on Thursday. 

Among her recommendations:

• Keeping the integrity of the concept of unstructured playtime by clearly stating that games, relays and activities included in the “RECESS MANUAL” were merely suggestions for children and teachers, not requirements;
• Having the option of indoor recess on days when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees, rather than the district’s recommendation of a heat index of 95+;
• Eliminating the need for every school to create their own safety procedures since the district has already developed appropriate guidelines;
• Determining an appropriate staff member to inspect play areas daily;
• Determining appropriate staff members to supervise recess; and
• Not compromising teachers planning time or duty-free lunch.

 Once the final documents are approved by the Board, UTD will provide them in full on our web page.