Indeed, we have our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) documents, and yes, they mention many of these things, but not necessarily as specifically or in the most straightforward, kid-friendly language.
DURING MORNING RECESS IN THE UPPER YARD 10:05-10:25
SNACK
Food should be consumed in the cafeteria area where Ms. Carly and others supervise. Do not bring food to the Upper Yard.
Do not bring or chew gum. Instead, sing this song about why you should not chew gum at school. (Unless it is in your IEP for use indoors during high-stakes tests.)
APPARATUS
The apparatus is on a schedule for the morning recess:
Monday - First Grade (and Chin’s Kinders)
Tuesday - Second Grade
Wednesday - Third Grade
Thursday - Fourth Grade
Friday - Fifth Grade
Plus Monday-Friday Mr. Choe's Class
No balls, toys, books, pencils, water bottles or ANY items on or near the apparatus. This is a major safety issue. The apparatus was designed to be used without ANYTHING in anyone's hands or anything lying on the ground underneath.
WILDLANDS MORNING AND LUNCH RECESS
Sometimes, the Nature-Play Circle in the Wildlands is open for play during recess. During those times, it is imperative that students stay inside the circle. They may not venture outside the circle to gather more items (for example, sticks, rocks and stumps) to bring into the circle.
Farmer Adam lovingly curates what goes into the circle AND lovingly places the other items where they belong, on paths and in plant beds. In order for the Wildlands to stay open as a place for play (and not just as an outdoor classroom with teachers), we need for students to respect and honor these guidelines and the Wildlands.
PE EQUIPMENT MORNING AND LUNCH RECESS
Students may check out bats, balls, hula-hoops, jump-ropes, pickleball sets and more from Ms. Jackie in the PE office. The student that checked it out should be the student to return it.
Students are discouraged from bringing sweatshirts and water bottles to recess, as there are often SO MANY OF THEM LEFT BEHIND. Students typically get hot the minute recess starts, and there are drinking fountains in the Upper Yard.
If students DO bring items with them to the Upper Yard, teachers who collect students after recess should remind students to retrieve their items before returning to class.
KINDER RECESS
Students playing the Kinder Yard may frolick relatively freely on the apparatus and beyond with these caveats: Play nicely (no pushing, pulling, kicking, play-fighting, real fighting, and no objects on the apparatus...) and use your words to express yourself and have your needs met.
For example, "I feel _______ when _______, and I need _______."
"I hear you say that you feel _______ when _______, and you need _______."
Adult supervisors should encourage students to use their words directly with other students, as needed, so students become empowered and self-actualized.
Students should stay inside the gates and ask to be escorted to the restrooms if the restrooms that are available are outside the gates.
LUNCH 12:00-12:44
Kids should bring with them ONE lunch, either from home or from the cafeteria and full (not empty) water bottles. (Kinder teachers can help the Kinders with this.) Students should stay seated for the duration (unless they need to go to the restroom or the nurse).
We don't have enough staff at lunch to escort kids to the bathroom and to the water station and to the nurse and to retrieve forgotten items during the 15 minutes of sitting at the tables. We want to create a calm lunch where kids have enough time to eat and chat with their friends, AND we want to teach our kiddos important lessons about planning ahead and deferring ratification.
For the upper grades, students should stay seated for the duration as well (no going to backpacks, to the water station, or to the bathroom in groups). If someone needs to use the restroom during the 15 or so minutes of actual sitting-and-eating time, Ms. Socorro or another adult should escort them one at a time. The goal is to sit and eat for 15 minutes, enjoying lunch and one another, then going to the restroom at 12:40 when lunch is over and the cafeteria supervisors are available to supervise the restrooms.
QUAD
Because the Quad is a high-traffic thoroughfare, we should WALK in the Quad (not run, skate, bike, skip or scoot). We don't want to bump into one another or into poles, etc. Even when the Quad is empty, we should still walk so as to reinforce this habit. Running is allowed on the vast upper yard and in the Kinder yard.
TECH AND TOYS
Recreational technology and toys should stay at home so as to not cause conflict or tears from loss or theft. Show and Tell is the exception. Teachers should monitor that.
NO RECREATIONAL USE OF TECH (PHONES, TABLETS, LAPTOPS) AT SCHOOL
ADULTS SHOULD STAY OFF PHONES WHILE SUPERVISING CHILDREN
Thank you all immensely for helping to create a safe place for students to learn and play!
