New Haven Independent

Posted by: In the Hood | July 16, 2007 11:01 AM

If you're serious about helping parents help their children a major focus should be reading to you children.

Studies have shown that children that are read to on a consistent basis begin to develop both communication and thinking skills at a much younger age than children that aren't read to on a consistent basis.

How can this group help parents read more to their children?

Posted by: JSJ | July 16, 2007 2:19 PM

A childrens' book club meets every Saturday from 2-4 at the Whalley Ave. police substation. It's a wonderful community resource and young kids from the Edgewood, Beaver Hills and Whalley neighborhoods should consider stopping by to read and be read to.

Posted by: bjfair | July 16, 2007 2:41 PM

The solution to children performing well is a combination of parents reading to children, attending meetings relative to their children's educational experience, encouraging academic success,"demanding" accountability from the system when necessary AND an Educational system that will not accept low functioning school status,has high expectations for students, teachers who care about the chldren and believe in their ability to succeed, teachers who can teach,and adequate resources to accomodate EVERY child. It's easy to blame parents but the reality is a child's academic success depends on a combination of both teachers and parents working together; not exclusive of each other.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | July 16, 2007 2:58 PM

The quesions is way did they stop recess in the schools that do not have it. Were those schools low-performing schools at the time there was recess. Where children being bullyed?? Where the kids out of control?? There alot more questions that apply to this request for a break in the day. The pro and cons of this time out.

Posted by: In the Hood | July 16, 2007 3:22 PM

The book club is great, but we need families reading to children consistently...like every single day and night. This particular action could make a significant difference in the outcome of children.

If we are serious about improving the lives of children we must engage families in working with their children on the fundamentals... and especially reading.

Posted by: TAKE 10 BACK | July 17, 2007 7:01 AM

"Nilda Aponte thinks restoring recess could help reduce a lot of the tension and even violence among young people in the city."

I certainly appreciate NHPS' providing healthier food choices but "with many schools not having much in the way of recess or gym class" the answer is NOT the "TAKE 10" program.

I agree, "It's not gym class," nor should "TAKE 10" be a substitute for consistent recess. Implementing TAKE 10 as a substitute for gym and/or recess will result in LESS of the Physical Activity time that the experts agree that the children need.

What's this about "the state in 2004 delivered an unfunded mandate that all kids in K-5 receive an hour of physical exercise a day"? "Unfunded mandate"? Providing recess has zero fiscal impact and all the experts concur that children need a consistent recess break, preferably outdoors and before lunch. Please do not make them perform rote jumping jacks/oblique stretching/marching in place at attention etc. to a classroom TV, or teacher, as a substitute.
This will get old fast -- my children and I just watched the TAKE 10 "Physical Activity in the Classroom!" video and they were not amused at the prospect of this program replacing recess. Well...actually, they ran out of the room so maybe this program does promote PA.
Back to $funding$ -- zero fiscal impact for recess but for TAKE 10 you need a TV/DVD player or AV equip. for every classroom plus you have to buy the TAKE 10 curriculum plus you have to pay the teachers to go somewhere and take the time to learn it...$400,000 for 18 schools for TAKE 10 implementation = $22,222 each for starters? Recess is free so please don't replace it with a glorified drill.

One excuse we heard at our NHPS for not providing recess was the energy invested in "disruption" or "transition time." Perhaps the energy needed to control "transition time" is indicative of the need for recess in the first place -- they NEED the opportunity to get out of the classroom, blow off steam and socialize.

Even the latest "TAKE 10" promotional brochure states that "Children should participate in 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on all or most days of the week."
http://www.take10.net/pdf/whatistake10.promotional.materials.brochure03.pdf

CT DoE's 276 pg. "Action Guide for School Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies" provides comprehensive guidance for school districts on developing and implementing policies to promote healthy eating and physical activity. It references over 93 works and 642 resources and was reviewed by an outside committee representing 21 health and education organizations in Connecticut.

Sec. 4, pg. 2 in pdf (pg. 70 in book); Daily Recess
"All elementary school students shall have at least 20 minutes a day of supervised recess, preferably outdoors, during which schools should encourage moderate to vigorous physical activity and provide space, equipment and an environment that is conducive to safe and enjoyable activity. Districts shall ensure that students with special physical and cognitive needs have equal physical activity opportunities, with appropriate assistance and services. Districts shall discourage extended periods (Le., periods of two or more hours) of inactivity. When activities, such as mandatory schoolwide testing, make it necessary for students to remain indoors for long periods of time, schools shall give students periodic breaks during which they are encouraged to get up from their chairs and be moderately active. Districts shall prohibit withholding of recess or the use of exercise as punishment, and shall develop alternative practices for promoting appropriate behavior. Recess shall not be withheld as a consequence of incomplete school assignments."

Daily Physical Education K-12
"All students in Grades K-12, including students with disabilities and special health-care needs and in alternative educational settings, shall receive daily physical education (150 minutes per week for elementary school students and 225 minutes per week for middle and high school students) for the entire school year. All physical education shall be taught by a certified physical education teacher. Student involvement in other activities involving physical activity (e.g., interscholastic or intramural sports) shall not be substituted for meeting the physical education requirement. Students shall spend at least 50 percent of physical education class time participating in moderate to vigorous physical activity."

Sec. 4, pg.9-10 in pdf (pg 77-78 in book); Daily Recess -- Guidelines for Recess
"Quality physical education and daily recess are necessary components of the school curriculum that enable students to develop physical competence, health-related fitness, self-responsibility, and enjoyment of physical activity so that they can be physically active for a lifetime. Recess should not replace physical education. Recess is unstructured playtime where children have choices, develop rules for play and release energy and stress. It is an opportunity for children to practice or use skills developed in physical education class. The following guidelines for recess are adapted with permission from NASPE's Recess in Elementary Schools (2001).
- Schools should develop schedules that provide for supervised, daily recess in pre-kindergarten through Grades 5 or 6.
- The use of facilities for recess activities should not interfere with instructional classes
(separate locations for each activity).
- If possible, recess should not be scheduled back-to-back with physical education classes.
- Recess should not be viewed as a reward but a necessary educational support component for all children. Students should not be denied recess as a means of punishment or to make up work.
- Periods of moderate physical activity should be encouraged and facilitated, while recognizing that recess should provide opportunities for children to make choices.
- Children should be encouraged to be physically active at recess so that recess provides some of children's daily recommended activity time.
- Schools should provide the facilities, equipment and supervision necessary to ensure that the recess experience is productive, safe and enjoyable. Developmentally appropriate equipment, as outlined in NASPE's Guidelines for Facilities, Equipment and Instructional Materials, should be made available. Adults should regularly check equipment and facilities for safety.
- Physical education teachers and classroom teachers should teach children positive skills for self-responsibility during recess.
- Adults should direct or intervene when a child's physical or emotional safety is an issue. Bullying or aggressive behavior must not be allowed, and all safety rules should be enforced.

Recess Before Lunch
Scheduling recess before lunch is an effective strategy to increase meal consumption and promote better behavior. Students who play before they eat have improved behavior on the playground, in the cafeteria and classroom. They waste less food and drink more milk, which leads to increased nutrient intake. The cafeteria atmosphere is improved during mealtime, and children are more settled and ready to learn upon returning to the classroom. Recess Before Lunch: A Guide to Success (Montana Office of Public Instruction, 2003) provides schools with strategies for promoting and implementing recess before lunch (http://www.opi.state.mt.us/schoolfood/recessBL.html). Additional resources are found in Recess under Resources at the end of this section."
http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2626&q=320754

Recess Bill No. 6155:
"that every public school include in the regular school day for each elementary student enrolled a minimum of twenty minutes per day of recess or one hundred twenty minutes a week" http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/TOB/H/2007HB-06155-R00-HB.htm

2007 Public Hearing on Bill No. 6155:
REP. MCMAHON: And thank you for your very thorough report. I have a question. As part of our original nutrition bill there was a recess component, and we got a lot of comments from school districts that said that they don't even have playground.
Do you have any suggestions how that might be addressed?
ELIZABETH BROWN: Well, the good news is that the State Department of Education has convened task force and they have developed guidelines to local school districts on a whole host of strategies to accomplish that goal, and let me ask Tom, Tom, do you want to just mention that?
THOMAS BROOKS: Representative, for the record I'm Tom Brooks, Director of Policy and Research Analysis for the Commission on Children, and as Liz mentioned, the Department of Education is now completing guidelines for physical health, including physical activity.
In addition, the Department published an action guide last year on nutrition and physical activity policies, and in that action guide the Department recommended that every school in Connecticut provide 20 minutes of recess, precisely what is in the bill before you.
Recess can happen in a variety of different places. It involves physical activity, free play, just an opportunity for children to blow off steam.
But the research out there, supported by the national PTA and many others, really shows very clearly that children need that break in order to learn effectively.
REP. MCMAHON: I couldn't agree with you more. Senator Freedman.
SEN. FREEDMAN: If I may, I'd just like to follow up on that. At one point this country was going very strongly for physical fitness, a whole bunch of standards were set up for physical fitness.
At this time, are those standards still in place, or is this group taking a look at those standards to see if they shouldn't be implemented?
I mean, I think recess is a great idea. Kids need to have time to just unwind during the school day, but they also need to have a sense of what their bodies should be doing in terms of physical fitness and training those bodies, and they're two separate components.
THOMAS BROOKS: Yes, Senator, the action guide published by the Department looked at a range of strategies for schools to consider. None of those strategies were mandated, but some of them did look at physical activity and physical education policies for schools.
ELIZABETH BROWN: And I would just add that, to build on what you said, this isn't a matter of oh this would be nice if we did it.
We know that developmentally, children, they did a study and they showed that children need that activity in order for them to really learn and to have their attention back.
So it's not, children learn better when they have physical activity, so you know, it really should be required actually, because we know that it is a best practice and based on sound science.
SEN. FREEDMAN: Just, may I follow up? Are there really school systems in this state that do not provide recess periods for their kids? And how do they get away with it?
THOMAS BROWN: Senator, this issue came up, as was mentioned, when the legislation was introduced a couple of years ago, and my understanding, from the folks who were advocating for that bill, was that there was a look at the school policies, and virtually all, I believe, actually already provide that 20 minutes of recess.
It's a small percentage, I believe, that do not provide that percentage. This bill would provide a bare minimum for schools, and hopefully schools would build on that and find ways, creatively sometimes, to provide even more than 100 minutes a week of that free time.
SEN. FREEDMAN: Is it possible for us to get a list of those schools that do not offer, or those school systems that do not have this as part of their program?
THOMAS BROOKS: We'll inquire and we'll get that information if it's available.
SEN. FREEDMAN: Thank you.
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/KIDdata/chr/2007KID00206-R001000-CHR.htm

Consider the questions SEN. FREEDMAN asked above: "Are there really school systems in this state that do not provide recess periods for their kids? And how do they get away with it?"

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/HealthCare/archives/2007/06/more_than_an_ap.html

Posted by: NH TAXPAYERS FOR RECESS | July 17, 2007 1:18 PM

Needless to say, we are ALL very hopeful that textbooks will start going home with students come fall.

Regarding a possible Recess and TAKE 10 conflict:

Nilda Aponte (Parent):
"They have a program called TAKE 10, and that's more about nutrition and exercise. Well we're asking them to add ten more minutes to those TAKE 10. It will be 20 minutes, and then those (additional) ten minutes will be like recess -- so there will be like, FREE activities where it's not so scheduled."

Reporter Melinda Tuhus:
"And are you saying that -- do most of the Elementary Schools not have recess anymore?"

Nilda Aponte (Parent):
"No, they don't. They don't, and that's a big concern because - not only physically -- they don't have that exercise but also emotionally, socially, they need that time alone for them to interact with each other -- that's why we believe that there's so much of a problem out there; people are not getting along - children are not getting along with each other - it's because they don't have that connection, it's so structured -- the school system is so structured that they hardly have any time to really integrate with each other."

The experts clearly agree with Nilda Aponte on the importance of consistent recess but adding ten minutes of recess time to the TAKE 10 drill is not even half of the minimum recommended time and certainly won't be long enough to give the children a break from being cooped up in the classroom or to provide them with outdoor recess or recess in an activity appropriate space.

Perhaps each individual school community should decide what is appropriate for their particular school but the article asks "what parents can do about it?"
We'd agree with Gwendolyn Forrest:"never confrontation for confrontation's sake but to get done what needs to be done." Getting done what needs to be done usually requires at least some form of confrontation (:)) but a start might be to survey your school -- a quick, incomplete, e-mail survey at our NHPS yielded at least 76 more parent/TAXPAYERS who responded to support consistent daily outdoor recess (weather permitting of course). No one was not in favor of it; some responses:


"To the X (NHPS) Community and NHPS Administration:

Recess is a necessity for all school children, not just for the K-1. It should be included as an integral part of the school day for all.

New Haven Public School alum, Dr. Benjamin Spock, even relays this message in his book Dr. Spock's The School Years: The Emotional and Social Development of Children.

In short, recess helps children understand discipline, prioritize schoolwork and helps children with their fears and anger by coping with everyday stress and peer pressures. These are critical components of all children's educational development
X"

"We agree!
X"

"I am very much in support of daily outside recess! Thank you for championing this issue!
X"

"Yes, I strongly agree that kids need much more recess, every day. And more than 20 minutes a day.

My son is very energetic boy and breaks are very necessary for him to focus, concentrate and learn.
To compare - in my country - Poland- kids in his age ( he is 6 years old now) in kindergarten (we call it class 0) also have to learn a lot - like here they have to be prepared to read fluently. But the difference is that children go outside every day - very often 2 times a day and for more than 20 minutes!- of course if when the weather is
fine. If it is not - they have time to play inside.

I would like very much the recess to be longer and more often.
X"

"I agree with daily recess for all children in Elementary School.
X, RN, MSN"

"Yes, We support the idea of daily outside recess.
X and X "

"My Daughter is in (Kindergarten) of X (NHPS) Elementary School. She loves the recess time and I strongly agree that a break in between classes would help them learn better. I support the continuation of recess of recess time for other grades as well. Please let me know if I can do anything more in support of this .

Thanks,
X"

"I am a parent of two children at X (NHPS). I am very concerned about the lack of recess for children in elementary school, especially with childhood obesity and diabetes on the rise. At school, children need to learn about healthy eating (we vigorously applaud CT's example to the nation by prohibiting soft drinks and junk food at elementary schools). Children also need to learn about exercise. In this, we are sadly behind the times. A child will learn faster and perform better if given regular breaks (as we all need!). Please include my email and my voice to those working for regular recess for all children at X (NHPS).
X"

"My husband and I are definitely in support of a daily recess period for all grades. We have a daughter in Kindergarten and know how important it is for her to have recess. We would like to see recess continued for her throughout grade school.

Thank you,
X"

"I am with you on this.
X"

"me, too.
(X wrote: I am with you on this.)
X"

"First of all thank you for getting the ball rolling on this issue.

Secondly, please accept this email as my emphatic support of the need for consistent regular recesses for our children and all students at X (NHPS). I agree that the break from class activities and the physical outlet are an essential need for elementary school kids and have witnessed first hand my own daughter's need for outdoor, physical time on returning from school and her disappointment and frustration on the many occasions this year when recess has been promised to the kids, or worse, used as an incentive to get them to complete classroom work, and then not delivered, for whatever reason. This is a situation which absolutely should change.

I will assist in whatever way I can.
X"

"I DEFINITELY support the idea of regular recess at X. I can't imagine that our kids can focus on their work without it.
Best,
X"

"Thanks for your e-mail, and count me in! I strongly support instituting a policy that will mandate daily recess for all K-8 students at X (NHPS). I think 30 minutes per day is not
unreasonable. On rainy, snowy, or very cold days,
recess should be held in an appropriate indoor space where children can play actively.
X
Parent"

"Yes, of course we support daily recess.
(And preferably not conditional upon good behavior.)
Best,
X & X"

"Hello!!!

I support recess wholeheartedly. I was dumbfounded when I realize that my children were not having recess. I think recess is crucial in the school day. I work at X School in Hamden, and yes they have recess everyday, and when the weather does not permit, they have inside recess. I will do all I can to help with this. I have read many of books stating how important recess/being outdoors is for children.

You definitely have my support in this matter. Please keep be abreast of how things are going and if I need to do anything.

Thank you
X"

"Both X and I absolutely support the idea of recess every day.
X"

"We certainly support recess for the kids.
X"

"I am a parent who is all for our children having daily recess. I am aware of the research that shows our/all children can benefit academically from a regular ritual of going outside during school hours. I also read an article in the New Haven Register from last week reaffirming this exact topic. I believe it was on the National news page of the newspaper. If anyone is interested I have the article.
X and X"

"Of course I support recess!
As the kids say: "this is a no brainer"
X"

"I support the idea of daily recess.
X"

"X and I are all for recess in the upper grades as well. We believe physical activity staves off boredom as well as obesity and has an overall positive impact on the student. While we understand the hurdles of cramming in the curriculum dictated by the current
Administration's education program, we wonder how other public schools manage this. We also feel that there is less reason to dismiss our
concerns given the proposed longer school schedule due to take effect next semester (8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.). Let me know if there is anything else you will need.
Thanks for keeping us informed.
X"

"I am ABSOLUTELY for recess at all grade levels. It needs to be reinstated. Physical exercise can improve academic performance, among other good reasons.
X"

"I do feel the importance of having a recess, our kids do need some break for their overall development. I am all in support of the recess. When the other school districts are doing it may not seem to be a great time constraint - a
matter of more reorganization perhaps! Please let me know if there is anything else to be done,
Thanks,
X"

"I agree 100%! Hamden Hall seventh and eighth grade students have an hour and a half to two hours of outdoor activity every day before 3 p.m. when they are dismissed! Interaction on the playground and playing games builds important life skills that kids do not develop at a desk.
Thanks very much.
X"

"Sorry I never wrote back; I responded to the
elementary-age e-mail and didn't want to be redundant. But certainly count me in--daily recess, rain or shine, is crucial for students in all grades. It amazes me that we are even having this conversation. The amount of homework they get in the upper grades makes it, if anything,
even more important for these grades. There were many times during the year when X spent the entire afternoon on homework and had no time to play outside or participate in a sport.
It's just too much!
Thanks for doing this,
X"

"Sorry for the delay!

We are fully in favor of a regularly allotted recess time for all the kids. Most of the students I hear from bemoan the fact that they find it harder to concentrate throughout the day if they don't have SOME time to refresh the spirit through some physical activity. As in all things, it's a simple matter of balance. We fully support your efforts and thank you for taking the time,
X"

"I support daily recess. It is well documented in the research that students can focus better if they also have daily physical activity such as recess.
X"

"I am extremely concerned that my child is not getting adequate time in school for physical activity. I do not think cutting out recess improves test scores.

My frustration lies partly with our Board of Education, which has approved taking away recess in the mistaken belief that this will help
improve test scores. I challenge Dr. Mayo and the Board to demonstrate a connection.
Healthy kids who exercise will lead to improved scores. Keeping children cooped up in the classroom is boring for students and teachers alike and creates disincentives for learning.

I think the school policy should be to give all students outside time and ensure that they get physical activity during each school day. How much and with what frequency, I defer to the experts.
X
Parent"

"Please count us in as supporters for your petition. X enjoys his recess time very much and a increase of recess time would enhance his
experience at school and in turn benefit his learning.
Thanks for the action!
X and X"

"The issue you mentioned in the letter is certainly a concern for us. Our son sometimes complains that too much work at school without any break. We strongly support that we should make this issue clear to the school, and make them find a way to balance their concern which is the CMT scores with our concern which is the physical and mental health of our children.
Regards, X"

"Thank you so much for taking this on. I would like to add my voice to the chorus asking, no insisting, on recess for our kids in X (NHPS). I see that you limit it to grade 6. I don't know why you don't continue it all the way through. I'm a physician and I specialize in the treatment of overweight and obese adults. I'm not a pediatrician. However, the most difficult cases I treat are those who are heavy from childhood. Overcoming long standing attitudes about activity and exercise are one of the greatest challenges I face in adults who have difficulty managing their
weight. Anything we can do to both support expectations of activity as well as giving the opportunity to be active in the course of the day will be an important part of child development. Our willingness to jettison exercise along with any movement delivers the message that being active, actually moving around as part of our routine leisure is unimportant.

Far from being unimportant, I think that being active is key to a healthy childhood and a healthy adulthood. 60% of Americans describe themselves as sedentary. This has caused tremendous hand wringing among health care
professionals. And yet we are enforcing sedentary-ness on our children. Who can wonder, then, that sedentary children grow up to be sedentary
adults?

That's the long term benefit but there are short term benefits as well. It is clear from many studies done in many different ways that children need physical activity in order to be mentally and intellectually active. Certainly my children are far more able to think and read when they get a little running around time. Studies suggest that this is the rule, not the exception.

I want my children, along with everyone else's children to have the opportunity to excel intellectually. It is clear that physical activity
is a key component to intellectual success.

Please let me know what else I can do to help.

Best wishes,

X MD"

This is basically the e-mail sent to some parents at our NHPS who we could quickly find e-mail addresses for; If we were to take the time to do a complete survey of everyone, consistent daily outdoor recess would easily show about 100% support:

Dear X (NHPS) X grade parents:
Many of us have spoken throughout the year about the lack of consistent recess at X (NHPS). As you probably know, X (NHPS) students have daily recess only in Kindergarten and 1st grade, usually 20 minutes a day at the most. After 1st grade, many classes have recess only on days without gym or not at all. The situation is the same at most schools in New Haven, but NOT in surrounding school districts. Hamden, North Haven, and Branford --just to name a few-- are examples of towns with excellent district reputations, test scores, AND have daily recess. I am concerned about this, and know many of you are also; we know it is important for our children to have fresh air and exercise for their bodies and minds.
Studies show what parents already know: children are better able to manage not only their concentration, but their behavior, when given a rest from work. Teachers we have spoken with support this because they have first hand experience with the link between consistent breaks and improved behavior and studying. There is no financial cost in daily recess. It is simply the question of making time in the school day for it.
As you may have already read, several parents have formed a Wellness Committee for our school; one goal of this committee is to begin the discussion for increased time and consistency for recess at X (NHPS). The Connecticut Department of Education and the New Haven Board of Education has indicated that X (NHPS) may write its own Wellness Policy, which would be an important step in securing consistent, daily recess for our children.
I write this email to advise you on all this, and to ask for your help.
Please respond to this email to let us know that you support the idea of daily recess at X (NHPS). It is crucial that the School and City administrations see that this issue is important to our parents. We will be collecting these emails to make it clear that our community wants daily recess. Please feel free to add additional comments or ideas.
You can also reach me at home (X). Thank you for your time and attention!
Sincerely,
X

Posted by: TOC Sign Up? | July 17, 2007 4:02 PM

How do New Haven Public School parents sign up to join "Teach Our Children?"

An old NHI article has two year old contact info for their full-time organizer Gwendolyn Forrest (a phone # for the Volunteer Center for Greater New Haven and a NHFPL e-mail address) so thought I'd ask.
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2005/10/what_schools_ne.php

Posted by: Gwendolyn Forrest | July 17, 2007 5:03 PM

To become a TOC member or to learn more about Teach Our Children, please email teachourchildren@hotmail.com or call Gwendolyn at (203) 500-6429.

Thank you, New Haven Independent, for covering Saturday's event so thoroughly.

And to the Independent readers, it is VERY encouraging to read your comments. We look forward to hearing from you!

Posted by: HEALTHY KIDS FIRST | July 20, 2007 8:03 AM

"New Haven schools spokeswoman Catherine Sullivan- DeCarlo said,"It's up to the schools if they can fit recess into the academic day. Some have it and some don't.""

FYI, part of New Haven Public Schools

WELLNESS POLICY ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION

(The New Haven Board of Education adopted this Wellness Policy at its April 24, 2006 meeting)

Whereas, New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) is committed, through Healthy Kids First, to provide access to healthful foods and opportunities to be physically active in order to grow, learn, and thrive;

Whereas, good health fosters student attendance and education;

Whereas, obesity rates have doubled in children and tripled in adolescents over the last two decades, and physical inactivity and excessive calorie intake are the predominant causes of obesity;

Whereas, heart disease, cancer, stroke, asthma and diabetes are responsible for two-thirds of deaths in the United States, and major risk factors for those diseases, including unhealthy eating habits, physical inactivity, and obesity, often are established in childhood;

Whereas, in 2003-2004 only 31.8 % of New Haven Public School students passed all four physical fitness tests

Whereas, 73% of high school students do not participate in sufficient vigorous in-school physical activity;

Thus, NHPS is committed to providing school environments that promote and protect children's health, well being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and increased physical activity. Therefore, it is the policy of the New Haven Public School District that:

· All students in grades K-12 will have opportunities, support, and encouragement to be physically active on a regular basis.