Bill > S06858

This bill mandates that every public school in New York where the school day exceeds five hours must provide up to thirty minutes of daily recess for all students in kindergarten through fifth grade, and for sixth graders attending an elementary school. This recess, which is intended to promote physical well-being, mental health, socialization, creativity, and stress release, should be student-directed and free from electronic devices, with schools providing play equipment. Recess must be supervised and held outdoors whenever possible, or in an appropriate indoor space, and is separate from lunch and physical education. Schools without adequate outdoor or indoor play areas must develop a plan or seek a waiver, and recess cannot be withheld as punishment, except in rare safety-related circumstances, nor can it be withheld for academic work. The bill also clarifies that the cost of supervising this recess can be included in a school district's "instructional expense," which is a term used in calculating state aid for education.