Parents petition for more recess

Louisiana parents in more than one school district are fighting for recess.

A Jefferson Parish parent has created a petition asking the Louisiana Legislature to guarantee recess for all elementary students in the state's public schools.

"I really think the state needs to eliminate the option to eliminate recess at any of the schools in our state," Jaime Havard told NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune.

Some schools in the district chose to forgo recess this fall to make time for more English instruction, and instead, teachers are encouraged to give "brain breaks" during class, the paper reported.

Other Jefferson Parish parents planned to address the School Board on the matter during a meeting Thursday and have created their own petition. Both petitions had received more than 1,000 signatures on Thursday afternoon.

After The Town Talk published a report about recess going away for some Rapides elementary students, a group of parents also decided to take up the issue with the Rapides Parish School Board.

"A group of parents are organizing to address the Rapides Parish School Board on the lack of recess in some of its elementary schools," citizens behind the Facebook page called RPSB Watch posted. "If you are interested in being a part of this, please private message us and we will connect you with the right individuals. Please get involved for your kids! School in Rapides has become entirely too focused on testing and performance scores, and it is having a negative impact on children. It's past time for parents and teachers to take back their schools."