Legislation Highlights Broad Support for Recess
HSC Urges School Officials to Provide Recess for All Young Children
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| Parent advocates – including HSC’s Jovita Flores – speak up for recess at the state capitol in Springfield. |
A bill that would have ensured daily access to recess for schoolchildren in Chicago garnered broad, diverse support in the Illinois legislature and beyond before bureaucratic processes stopped it just short of becoming law.
The large base of supporters that came together around the bill sent the message that an increasing numbers of parents, school leaders and elected officials recognize the crucial role that recess plays in the school day and in child development.
“Though we’re disappointed that this bill did not become law, we are encouraged by the number of supporters who stepped forward from public health, education and the community to raise their voices in support of recess,” said Rochelle Davis, HSC’s founding executive director. “Now we urge leaders in Chicago Public Schools to recognize these calls for recess and work hard to make it a part of every young child’s school day,”
The bill, HB4374, would have required schools to provide recess for all students in Kindergarten through eighth grade for at least ten minutes per day, and to ensure that students have the opportunity to be physically active during that recess.
Recess is disappearing at an alarming rate at schools throughout Chicago and the U.S. In Chicago, only about 30 percent of schools have a scheduled recess time and just about 40 percent have recess on any regular basis.
Parents advocates, including those with HSC’s Parents United for Healthy Schools, have worked for several years to raise awareness of this issue and to build support for such legislation.
"Our communities are facing epidemic rates of childhood obesity, yet our children don't have a minute to run and be active during the school day," said Idida Perez of West Town Leadership United, one of the groups involved with Parents United. "Recess is a perfect way to get kids moving – it's good for their health, and it helps them focus so they can achieve more academically when they get back to class."
Research documents the important role that recess plays in combating childhood obesity, increasing student achievement, reducing behavior problems and supporting children’s cognitive development.
Susan Kurland, former principal of Nettlehorst school and director of HSC’s principals for healthy schools project, explained that she saw an increase in test scores and drop in discipline referrals after reinstating recess at her school. And, she said, recess reflects a commitment to educating the whole child that provides benefits beyond those that can be quantified.
“Today, in all of our focus on academics, we forget that a healthful, well child is also one who will be better educated,” she said. “But taking a break and being active makes children better students. It also gives them time to socialize and learn how to be a friend.”
The CDC recommends that children have recess for twenty minutes each day, prior to their lunch time. HSC supports this recommendation and is working with school leaders on strategies to make it a reality for all children.
HSC Marathon Team Begins Training
Partnership with Running Store Brings New Benefits for Team Members
Runners on HSC’s team running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and ING New York City Marathon are beginning training for these Fall races and continue welcoming new members to the team.
This is the perfect time to let friends, family and colleagues know about opportunities to join the HSC team: Although open registration for the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon has closed, Healthy Schools Campaign has a limited number of guaranteed charity bibs for the race!
The charity athletics team has also teamed up with Running Away as its official running store partner. HSC team members receive discounts at the store and a variety of other benefits.
Learn more or join the team »
HSC Event Featured in Read Green, Live Green Program
HSC’s upcoming breakfast briefing, Schools and Climate Change, is featured as part of Read Green, Live Green, a program of the Chicago Public Libraries presented in partnership with Garfield Park Conservatory and Chicago Department of Environment.
Read Green, Live Green is a summer-long exploration of the environment through a unique combination of great books, author appearances, tours, performances and events.
Learn more or register for Schools and Climate Change »
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