Many Jefferson Parish public school parents are up-in-arms as their kids are being shuffled to other activities and having recess taken away. Although this is not a new decision by the Jefferson Parish School Board, it is now being implemented by area schools, thus creating the sudden backlash.


In light of the numerous studies proving that unstructured playtime is essential for children, the Parish is leaving it up to each school to decide how to handle it.
Kenner parent Amy Stevens has created a change.org petition Put recess back into Jefferson Parish Schools to add recess back.

‘This is not acceptable. Children need free time/ Play time.If this school was a Military or boarding school I could understand the whole all work and no play, but this is an elementary school.


I am putting this petition together, so the board members can see the parents are concerned and want their children to have recess back in the school activity’s ,
Besides emailing your board members please sign this as support to revoke/ over turn the no recess policy.


Please email the School board members also, the more heat they get, the better chance the kids will get the recess back.


rayrstpierre rayrstpierre@bellsouth.net


melinda.doucet melinda.doucet@jppss.k12.la.us


mark.morgan mark.morgan@jppss.k12.la.us


ricky.johnson ricky.johnson@jppss.k12.la.us


cedric.floyd cedric.floyd@jppss.k12.la.us


marion.bonura marion.bonura@jppss.k12.la.us


sandy.denapolis sandy.denapolis@jppss.k12.la.us


melinda.bourgeois melinda.bourgeois@jppss.k12.la.us


larry.dale@jppss.k12.la.us

Per one parent on the petition:
“My child is in first grade at a Jefferson Parish Advanced Studies school where recess has been cut to 5 minutes, and PE has been reduced to watching educational/safety videos. She does not play outside daily. Instead, she is expected to sit in her classroom for 3 1/2-4hrs at a stretch. This is not appropriate for 6-7 year olds. Studies show that recess (outdoor free play) is good for children’t physical and mental health and enhances children’s ability to learn (and outcomes). Studies also show that the ABSENCE of recess undermines learning ability. Cutting recess for more class time is an archaic practice. Please do what is best for the kids and consistent with best practices: reinstate recess during the school day.”

Lisa Pretus Ebarb, New Orleans