Parents, Lawmakers Call For More Recess In New Jersey Schools

MONTCLAIR, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A debate has been raging over recess at a New Jersey school, after administrators seemed to be giving it a time out.

As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, a parent is making it her assignment to extend the amount of recess time.

While schoolchildren tend to be fans of recess, some schools in New Jersey have been cutting back on it for some time.

"It's important for kids this age to be out and getting sunshine; running around. They can't be confined to desks all day," said Adrienne Tallacksen.

New Jersey state Sen. Shirley Turner (D-Ewing) has reintroduced a bill to make recess mandatory across the state.

"I believe very strongly that we need to get our students moving; our children moving, because they have a sedentary lifestyle," Turner said.

Gov. Chris Christie vetoed the bill the last time it hit his desk. On Thursday, he explained his position, saying recess is not a state issue and should be handled locally.

"My point is if you're a parent who thinks that there's not enough recess during the day, then go to your local school board. First, how about going to your principal?" Christie said.

That is exactly what Rachael Quinn Egan is doing in Montclair. She started a petition to "build a better recess" – asking the Montclair school board to make recess 40 minutes long.

As of late Thursday afternoon, the petition had 400 signatures.

"School isn't all about academics. It is also about play," Egan said. "Play is learning. Most of us learned our best social skills in the playground."

Currently, fourth graders at one Montclair elementary school have 23 minutes of recess each day. But they want to be out longer.

"Kids need to play, and playing is basically learning," said fourth grader Lucy Lawrence.

"They need that running around going crazy before they come home and be with us," said parent Michelle Rodriguez.

Fifth grader Wednesday Fischer said last year, she only got 30 minutes for both lunch and recess combined.

"Usually, the kids; my friends would throw out their lunch to go out to have recess," she said.

Egan and other parents will be bringing their petition to next week's school board meeting. CBS2 reached out to the school district superintendent, but did not get a response.

Meanwhile, the state recess bill goes to the Senate Education Committee on May 2.