NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A group has launched a campaign to ask Tennessee’s legislators for more recess time across the state.
The “Say YES to Recess” campaign has taken issue with Tennessee’s legal minimums for recess time; as of publication, elementary school students must legally have at least one 15-minute physical activity period per day and at least 130 minutes per full school week. Middle and high school students must have a minimum of 90 minutes of physical activity per full school week.
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“Say YES to Recess” takes issue with the state minimum, advocating instead for a new law that would require two 30-minute period for elementary school students — one in the morning and the other in the afternoon — and at least one 30-minute break for middle school students.
“If adults can be given time to rest and recharge during their workday, why aren’t we providing the same for our children—who spend between 6.5 – 7 hrs a day in school?” the group said in a press release.