Not all schools in Florida have recess — it's not mandatory in the Sunshine State — and some parents in Osceola County say that needs to change.
"Let's get these kids outside," said Angela Spring Harrilal. "Take those extra minutes and take a question away from math, and say, 'Go outside and play.'"
Harrilal and other parents started an online petition that has already gotten more than 500 signatures from other Osceola County parents hoping to get daily recess back into their kids' school day.
"They need to have a reset button so that they can release that energy, be able to move, be able to breathe fresh air, be able to play freely," said fellow parent Geraldine Callaghan.
According to the Florida Department of Education, the state's policy makes it mandatory for elementary students to have 30 minutes of physical education a day, but when it comes to recess, that's not mandatory at all.
"The district doesn't have a district policy, because we trust the principals to embed time for students to have brain breaks and to have play time during the day that is unstructured," said Dr. Lissette Brizendine, assistant superintendent of the School District of Osceola County.
"What's happening is that some schools are getting zero recess," Callaghan said. "A second-grader from Kissimmee Elementary has reported to me she's been getting zero recess, and my son at Cypress Elementary is only getting recess twice a week."
Parents are asking for 20 minutes of outdoor play to be added into their children's daily schedule.
"I hope parents look into this now and look into the schedules of their kids, and find out exactly how their day is broken up," said Patty Lajoie, another concerned parent. "We want them to perform better in the afternoons for the teachers, and I think this break helps them do that."
Parents planned to attend a school board meeting Tuesday, Nov. 3, to discuss this issue during public comment.