Recess advocates tell Grayslake board, 'please let our children play'
Parents who want Grayslake Elementary District 46 students to have more recess time made their case to the school board Wednesday night.
Led by a representative from a grass-roots group called D46 Parents for Regular Recess, the small group of recess proponents said students should have 30 minutes of outdoor playtime every day.
Kids now get only two 15-minute recess periods each week.
"Recess is a critical part of the school day," said Loralie Thomas, a representative of the pro-recess group told the school board during its scheduled meeting at Grayslake Middle School. "We can't continue to shortchange our children."
The parents delivered reports from medical experts and an online petition signed by more than 200 people who support their request.
"I ask you to please let our children play," Thomas said.
In a Daily Herald interview last week, Thomas said she wanted to expand recess for kindergartners through fourth-graders. She included all students in her remarks Wednesday.
Megan Faith was among the other parents who spoke in favor of the recess request. She said exercise and movement help kids learn.
Recess also gives kids time to socialize, reflect and simply take a break during the school day, she said.
The board took no action on the request Wednesday and members did not respond to the comments. Board Vice President Jim Weidman said officials will read the documents presented and consider the request.