TODAY'S NEWS
Thursday, October 19, 2006; Page C14
Playing at Recess? Forget About It
· Tag, you're not it!
That's the cry during recess at Willett Elementary School in Attleboro, Massachusetts, where the principal has banned tag, touch football and any other unsupervised chase games at recess.
  You're not in Massachusetts anymore: Tyler Stephens and friends enjoy recess in Coquille, Oregon. (By Rick Bowmer -- Associated Press) |
Principal Gaylene Heppe said she's worried about kids getting hurt and the school being held responsible for the injuries. Recess is "a time when accidents can happen," she said.
Several schools in the town, near Boston, banned dodgeball several years ago, saying it was dangerous and hurt kids' feelings. Tag bans might be gaining in acceptance around the country. Schools in Wyoming, Washington state and South Carolina have similar limits in place.
Parents are divided on the ban. "Playing tag is just part of being a kid," said Debbie Laferriere. But another parent said she thinks her kids are safer without the rough recess games. "I've witnessed enough near collisions," said Celeste D'Elia.
What do you think of banning rough play at recess?
