Updated 09/11/2012 11:19 PM
Meachem Elementary School will have recess
Confusion regarding one part of the school day has been clarified. There will be recess at Meachem Elementary School. At a special PTO meeting, teachers, parents, school and district officials discussed concerns about it being eliminated. Our Iris St. Meran was there.
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Meachem Elementary School cafeteria was filled with people for a special PTO meeting. Parents, school officials and even children had one major concern: Recess.
"It is with extreme concern that we are here today to begin the fight today for recess to be kept in our schools," said one parent who spoke up.
Parents told YNN they received a letter on the first day of school stating there would be no recess for children. This was upsetting to many parents, like Jennifer Forth, who showed up to the special PTO meeting because they feel it is an important aspect of their children's education and development.
Forth said, "I know academics are absolutely the reason they are here in school, but I also think we have a responsibility to raise responsible adults. As adults, we get breaks, so we can perform better in our daily lives and I think children deserve the same."
Meachem's principal is out on maternity leave, but came to this meeting to address this concerns. She called the situation a miscommunication, assuring parents the 15 minute block of play time will not be eliminated.
"I'm telling you, and I'll say it again, we will have recess here at Meachem for every grade level every day," said Principal Melissa Evans.
Evans did not discuss exactly how this miscommunication happened. District staff members say the decision about recess did not come from the district. They say it's something each individual school decides. The Chief Academic Officer says communication has been and will continue to be a priority district wide. Evans expects the master schedule with recess included to be complete by next week.