CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — For years, whether elementary students received daily recess depended on their school district. Now, that’s changing.
House Bill 1505, included in Pennsylvania’s new state budget, requires public schools to provide at least 30 minutes of daily recess for students in kindergarten through 5th grade.
“For the past 14 months, Westmont Hilltop Parent Advocates have been fighting for recess for our fifth and sixth grade studentsWe really wanted to ensure that our children had that daily activity and daily play built into the school day,” said district parent Nicole Zajdel.
At Westmont Hilltop, daily recess was previously offered through just fourth grade.
A group of parent advocates tell 6 News they began pushing last year to expand it to older elementary students, saying the benefits don’t end as the students age.
Zajdel explained, “I have two children in the district. Whenever they came home, they were just completely full of energy. They really did need to burn out that energy.”
Now, following the passage of the new law, Superintendent Thomas Mitchell says his district plans to go even further than the state requires. In a statement, he explained in part quote:
“Although the new recess law applies to grades k–5, we intend to extend additional recess time to sixth grade as well. This change will require our 5th- and 6th-grade teachers to be more efficient and creative in maximizing instructional time while ensuring that all state-mandated content is effectively delivered.”
Other district leaders say they’re already there. Richland says it provides recess for all elementary grades, while Central Cambria says its students have had 30 minutes of daily recess for years. And with the new law, that’ll be the standard across all public schools.
Westmont Parent Leanna Bird explained, “We’re really thrilled. This was a bipartisan bill they got a lot of support we’re thankful that it passed the house and senate and went to the governor’s desk for signatureWe’re grateful that they that they worked with us and listened to the research and the evidenceWe’re grateful that they are allowing our kids to just be kids.”
As districts across Pennsylvania prepare to meet the new state requirement, parents here say they hope the conversation about student wellness and recess continues beyond the minimum required by law.