Recess: A break from classes during the school day or year (Encarta Dictionary)

This is an important issue the 4th "R" of Education (Recess) is just as important and conducive to learning as the other 3 (Reading, wRiting & aRithmetic). Kids need a break during the day so that their brains can absorb and comprehend what was taught in the classroom. - MM

Petitioning Middletown Board of Education Members, Superintendent William George III,

We the members of the Middletown school community request that you reconsider the reduction of recess and lunch time periods in your effort to increase academic study within the class day.

The American Academy of pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that elementary students be provided with scheduled periods of unstructured physical activity and play every day and that this time not be reduced in effort to increase academic study (Murray & Ramstetter, 2013).

Numerous studies purport this claim indicating benefit of recess to support and enhance the social, physical, and emotional development of children. Reducing the time allotted for unstructured play either in lieu of increased academics or as punitive measures for misbehavior robs our children not only of these benefits but also of the opportunities for independent growth and decision-making.

We ask that you consider the holistic needs of our children and adhere to the supported research outlined, as well as parental input and reinstate the prior time frame and unstructured nature of recess. Thank you for your consideration.

Murray, R. & Ramstetter, C. (2013). From the American Academy of Pediatrics

Policy Statement: The Crucial Role of Recess in School. Pediatrics, 131 (1). p. 183 -188

(doi: 10.1542/peds.2012-2993)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1997). Guidelines for school and community programs to promote lifelong physical activity among young people. MMWR Recomm Rep. 46(RR-6):1–36

National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education. (2011). Recess and the Importance of Play: A Position Statement on Young Children and Recess. Washington, DC: National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education; 2002. Retrieved from: www.naecs-sde.org/recessplay.pdf.

Sibley B, & Etnier J. (2003). The relationship between physical activity and cognition in children: a meta-analysis. Pediatr Exerc Sci.15. p. 243–256

Stellino M.B., & Sinclair C.D. (2008). Intrinsically motivated, free-time physical activity: considerations for recess. J Phys Educ, Recreat Dance,79(4). P.37–40

If you agree, as I do, sign this petition and send Superintendent William George and the members of Middletown's Board of Education the message that Recess is just as important to our children's learning as extra time in the classroom. - MM

Let's Not Forget, There Are School Board Elections On Tuesday Also

As most of you know by now, Tuesday is Election Day and along with voting for who you'd like to be the next Governor of NJ or who will represent Middletown on its Township Committee, we will also be voting for 3 people to serve on the Middletown Board of Education(BOE). It's important that voters educate themselves about the ten individuals who are seeking seats on the BOE this year. Of the 10 people running this year 3 are incumbents and it's questionable in my mind as to whether or not they should be reelected.

Back on October 23rd, I attended the "Meet the BOE Candidates" night sponsored by the Harmony School PTO. I've been meaning to post about it since but was waiting to until after the second candidate night that I had heard was coming up but didn't know the date. As it turns out the second candidates night was held over in Lincroft last week and I missed it, oh well.

That being said, its been nearly two weeks since I attended that candidates night at Harmony School so a lot isn't fresh in my mind as to what was discussed, however, Middletown Patch posted a column on the night a couple of days later. The one flaw that I have with the article though is that it dwelt on a very small portion of the meeting, which was whether or not the school board should have given Middletown Superintendent of Schools, Dr. William George, merit pay. The night's event touched on much more than just Dr. George's pay, people were interested in a number of different issues ranging from redistricting and class size to properly preparing our kids for the future and turf fields. Nevertheless, I recommend you read it and the comments that follow the article to see what people where saying afterwards about the night and the candidates.

Another good source on this year's BOE election is this weeks article in the Independent, "Board of Education candidates focus on taxes, curriculum" . The Independent sent a couple of questions to the candidates via email and posted the responses from 9 of the 10 candidates ( Bob Banta being the only candidate not to respond).

Finally, another source for information (opinion) on the Middletown Board of Education and this week's election is the Middletown Reader Forum on NJ.com. Read the posts dated from October 20th through today. The comments are impassioned and enlightening in both  positive and negative aspects of the BOE and those seeking election this year.

Before anyone asks, if you are wondering who will be the 3 people I'll be voting for the BOE this year, I'll tell you right now, I'm not telling.

I'm not telling, not because I'm worried who will know who I'm voting for and support and therefore endorse. I'm not telling simply because I'm not sure yet who I'll be voting for. There are pros and cons with each candidate that I still need to weigh.

However, I can tell you who I will not be voting for and why. I will not be voting for Chris Aveta or John Bennet.

Aveta is more worried about cutting costs in order to  establish some "street cred:" with district taxpayer for a future run for Township Committee, than he is with the welfare of the districts school kids. John Bennet is  barely out of high school,  lives home with his parents and has never paid 1 nickel in property taxes in his life. Hell, he probably spends more time playing his XBox or PS4 than he does working or going to school himself. How can you possibly have a "kid" like Bennet making important decisions that involve the future of our children.

Also, Aveta and Bennet have each failed to properly support Superintendent George and his personal decisions. Aveta and Bennet were 2 of the group of 5,  that voted against Dr. George's recommendation to hire school principal, Eric Paulson permanently at Harmony School. It took an overwhelming. outpouring of public support from members of the Harmony School community, teachers and colleagues to make them change their mind and re-vote in Paulson's favor.

So remember, Tuesday you'll also be voting for members to represent the community on the Middletown Board of Education. Take the time to learn about the candidates and the issues (as you should with all candidates seeking office) before pulling the leaver on Tuesday. For the kids sake, Middletown's  children deserve an informed decision.