I am a worrier.  I wish I could stop worrying sometimes, but, with this profession, I'm not sure that will ever truly happen.  We are a people business.  I worry about all of you, your families, your well being, are you able to find balance between work and play...  I worry about the world, our society, the missing airplane, poverty, education, children who don't have their basic needs met...  I worry about my children, their happiness, their balance, their success, their health... 

Very often, I worry about our students at Village.  Are we doing the best for them?  Are we giving them everything we can?  How do they feel, are their needs met, are they happy, do they have meaningful relationships... 

From time to time, I learn that some of our neediest students are kept out of recess for poor behavior choices, failure to complete class assignments or failure to complete homework.  Very often, these are the same students who have stress or increased responsibilities in their homes, do not have their basic needs met, are outside the "norm" or have emotional struggles which prevent forming meaningful relationships.  

From time to time, I have posted my thoughts regarding exercise and recess and the positive effects it has on people overall.  The following brief blog post shares reasons to have kids moving in a meaningful, predictable manner throughout the school day.  

Click Here: Move Your Body, Grow Your Brain 

Dan, Erika, Tina and I recently attended a conference about RtI and IST.  We spent the first half of the day learning about tiers, interventions, perceived disabilities, micro-aggressions and competition that exists in schools.  It was one of those " I know exactly what he is talking about" moments for me.  The presenter challenged us to think about all the ways we promote competition in schools.  One way we do this is when we take away recess.  Recess becomes something earned rather than a necessary right for all children.  

I challenge you to think about movement in your classroom.  Think about recess in your classroom and outside.  What is the purpose?  If it is a reward, then it is aligned with a competition of those who do something vs. those who do not.  Should it be?  Should students who fail to complete work be held out of opportunities that allow them to grow socially and emotionally?  

Students who are not a part of the "norm" are more likely to struggle with a sense of belonging, and may experience messages that reinforce those feelings.                             ~Alan Ripp, Technical Assistance Center on Dispoportionality  

We are a community.  We support one another,  We share ideas.  We work together to cultivate one another and to celebrate together.  Good teachers ask for help.  We know this.  If you need support with a student not completing assignments or showing behavior challenges that make it difficult to justify giving them recess, ask for help,  See what others are trying.   

In the meantime, please think about why you do or don't give recess or movement breaks.  
And please, do not take recess away from students.  

As our students, in our care, we are entrusted to guide them - especially when they are not the "norm." Support them.  Prepare them.  This is Jose's Story.  Jose is not the "norm."  

One more resource to click: The Importance of Play