Chesley Marvin | Support HB1507

HB1507 is extremely valuable and necessary for our children, teachers, and schools. Any logistical changes will pay dividends. As a parent of 2, this is one of the most important issues for me, because it is so fundamental to the health and wellbeing of children. Quality recess can be the difference between a child who loathes school and one who loves school. A few benefits backed by research: - Recess is restorative, improves focus, and prepares the brain to learn - Recess reduces stress and improves self-regulation, allowing children to meaningfully engage with their peers, teachers, and their learning and decreasing disruptions in the classroom - Recess allows children to practice a multitude of skills they do not get in the classroom, including SEL and gross-motor - Recess increases test scores This bill proposes QUALITY recess, and these specific protections are also necessary. - 45-60 minutes ensures the children have enough time to execute play after transitions and their own decision-making. - Unstructured time allows children to grow their self-efficacy and avoid constraint fatigue - Outdoor time, especially in the winter, is fundamentally important to human health. Not all children are able to spend time playing outside at home. - Screen-free time is more and more important as we digitize more about the school day. This will also ensure when recess needs to be inside that children are provided a suitable alternative rather than sitting in front of a screen. - Physical activity is important for hitting developmental milestones and is part of what makes recess so beneficial for stress reduction and physical health - Cannot be taken away as punishment because the children who get recess taken away are usually the children who would benefit from it the most. - Protects lunch and specials time. Children often already do not have enough time to eat, so we need to make sure this time is not further reduced. Similarly, specials provide immense value in education and should not be diminished. We know that extended learning blocks can actually make it harder for students to focus, so it is entirely reasonable and beneficial to reduce core instructional blocks to fit in recess without extending the school day. I urge the committee to vote YES on QUALITY RECESS!