FBISD Recess Guidelines

According to policy EHAB (LEGAL), “the District shall require students in kindergarten through grade 5 to participate in moderate or vigorous daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes throughout the school year, as part of the District’s physical education program or through structured activity during a campus’s daily recess. If the District determines, for any particular grade level, that requiring moderate or vigorous daily physical activity is impractical due to scheduling concerns and other factors, the District may as an alternative require a student in that grade level to participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least 135 minutes during each school week.”

According to the Wellness Policy FFA(LOCAL), the campus administrator will ensure that the following guidelines apply to recess for all District elementary campuses:

• For grades K-5, the recommended recess time allotment is 30 minutes daily; however, all District elementary schools should provide a minimum of 20 minutes of unstructured recess daily. For half-day prekindergarten, the recommended recess time allotment is 15-20 minutes.

• Recess should not be viewed as a reward but a necessary educational support component for all children.

• Recess should not be withheld for academic and/or punitive reasons except for severe discipline consequences assigned by the principal or assistant principal (I.e., ISS, OSS). Structured physical activity during recess is acceptable when facilitated and supervised by campus staff with the intent to raise the heart rate. Structured recess includes frequent redirection from teachers to encourage participation.

• In extenuating circumstances, campus principals have the authority to offer an optional study hall for those children in need of additional support up to twice per week. Prior written parent permission is required in order to remove a student from recess for study hall. The student must still complete the weekly 135 minutes of required moderate or vigorous structured physical activity. If recess time is counted toward the required 135 minutes of structured physical activity, the student cannot be removed. 

• Bullying or aggressive behavior will not be tolerated, and all safety rules will be enforced. Adults must intervene and address the situation when a child’s physical or emotional safety is at risk.

• When safety is at risk or has been violated, the campus principal and staff will teach students to resolve their conflicts or repair the harms with sentence stems that teach students techniques they can use as lifelong learners. This could include providing the students choice of activities that keep themselves and others safe with an opportunity for self-reflection and repair of any impacted relationships.
• The campus should provide the facilities, equipment and supervision necessary to ensure the recess experience is productive, safe, and enjoyable.
• Rainy days should include indoor games and movement activities as an alternative to outside play.
• Campus staff are encouraged to use apps and/or check websites for current weather conditions when making decisions regarding physical activity time for students. Fort Bend ISD Weather Guidelines should always be followed.
• The recess policy should be included in the Fort Bend ISD Parent/Student Handbook
• Bullying or aggressive behavior will not be tolerated, and all safety rules will be enforced. and on District and/or campus webpages.