We, the undersigned parents, guardians, and supporters of Newman Catholic Elementary students, are asking school leadership to reconsider the decision to eliminate morning recess and replace it with students sitting quietly at their lockers before the school day begins.
For many years, morning recess has given Newman elementary students an opportunity to move, socialize, and prepare themselves for a full day of learning. We understand that concerns regarding student behavior or supervision may require changes to how morning recess is managed. However, we do not believe eliminating this opportunity for all students and requiring children to sit quietly in the hallway is the best long-term solution.
We are asking Newman Catholic leadership to restore an active, age-appropriate morning option for elementary students and work with parents and staff to develop a sustainable plan.
There are many possible alternatives that could be considered, including:
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Increasing adult supervision or staffing for morning recess
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Utilizing parent volunteers to assist with supervision
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Providing structured games or activities in the gym
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Creating supervised activity stations in classrooms or other available spaces
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Separating students into smaller groups or designated areas
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Using additional structured outdoor activities when weather permits
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Addressing behavioral concerns individually rather than removing an opportunity for movement from the entire elementary student body
We are not asking the school to ignore safety concerns or behavioral problems. We are asking that those concerns be addressed with solutions that allow elementary-aged children to continue having an appropriate opportunity for movement and interaction before beginning their academic day.
We also ask that significant changes to established student routines, such as the elimination of morning recess, be clearly communicated to parents, including the reason for the change and whether it is temporary or permanent.
Our goal is not simply to criticize the current approach. We want to be part of the solution. Parents have expressed willingness to volunteer, assist with supervision, help organize activities, and explore other options that would allow morning movement to safely return.
We respectfully ask Newman Catholic leadership to:
1. Reinstate morning recess or another active morning option for elementary students.
2. Replace the current expectation that elementary students sit quietly at their lockers for the duration of the morning arrival period with an age-appropriate alternative.
3. Work with staff and parents to determine whether additional supervision, volunteers, structured activities, gym access, classroom stations, or other solutions could address the concerns that led to this change.
4. Communicate the resulting plan and expectations clearly to elementary families.
We care deeply about Newman Catholic and want our school to succeed. We believe there is a solution that can address legitimate supervision and behavior concerns while also recognizing the developmental needs of elementary-aged children.
By signing below, we are asking school leadership to work collaboratively with Newman families to find that solution and restore an active, positive start to our children's school day.