Subject:
Urge The Governor to Sign The Recess Survey Bill
Message:
Dear Governor Hochul,
As a constituent who cares deeply about the physical, social and emotional development of students, I urge you to sign S.8377-A (Mayer)/A.8727-A (Jackson) into law. This important legislation will direct the commissioner of education to conduct a comprehensive survey to determine how school districts and charter schools handle recess for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
The legislature has wisely passed this bill, recognizing that we need real data about recess in our schools. If signed into law, this survey will provide you and legislative leaders with critical information about the current state of recess across New York, including how often it's provided, where it takes place, what barriers exist and whether students are getting the unstructured play time they desperately need.
Recess is not a luxury—it's essential for our children's development. Physical activity is critical for students, yet a typical school day requires them to sit, inactive, at their desks for much of the day. While classroom time is necessary for learning, students also need unstructured, non-instructional time to play, be active and process what they've learned.
The research is clear: physical activity doesn't just benefit students physically—it's critical for brain development. As children play, they form neural connections that help them process emotions and learn social skills. Many studies show that when recess time increases, student achievement and test scores go up.
Experts recommend a minimum of 30 minutes of recess per day for elementary students, yet many New York schools aren't meeting even this low threshold. Instead, recess is often viewed as expendable when, in fact, play IS how young students learn.
Children who don't get adequate play time face academic challenges and are at higher risk for anxiety, depression and obesity. Without daily opportunities to play, kids miss out on chances to connect with others and strengthen their bodies and minds.
This bill is a crucial first step toward ensuring all New York students get the recess time they need and deserve. By signing S.8377-A/A.8727-A into law, you'll help gather the data we need to make informed decisions about protecting and expanding recess for all our students.
Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. I respectfully ask that you sign this bill into law without delay.
Sincerely,
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