EDITORIAL – Let the balls fly: Injuries happen

An elementary school in Attleboro, Mass., recently put a ban on what may be seen as a rite… An elementary school in Attleboro, Mass., recently put a ban on what may be seen as a rite of passage for millions of elementary school students across the country.

Willet Elementary School, just 40 miles south of Boston, prohibited all unsupervised “chase” games during recess.

That’s right — they banned tag.

The ban, which intends to prevent injured students and liable schools, outlaws all unsupervised “contact” activities during recess, including tag, touch football and dodgeball, according to the Associated Press.

This type of ban, which is also enforced at several other elementary schools across the country, may be going a little too far, in our opinion.

We understand that recess is different from physical education classes, where activities and games are closely supervised and monitored. Recess is intended to give students and teachers a break from the monotony of the classroom. It is a time for the kids to run around and blow off steam, while their teachers take a much-needed break from classroom instruction. And it is not the job of a classroom teacher to instruct his or her students on the specifics of flag football. That is what gym class is for.

In consequence, when recess activities go unsupervised, Bobby will inevitably tag Sally just a little too hard and Billy will accidentally hit Johnny in the face during an intense game of dodgeball — injuries happen. And schools can be held liable for injuries occurring during unsupervised activities.

So, should schools do their best to prevent recess-related injuries? Of course.

Yet, while they might be preventing bruises and broken arms, by banning contact sports at recess, schools are hurting their students in other ways.

With amusements like tag, football and other contact sports banned, recess at Willet Elementary School will no doubt become a lot less active. And active is good, for several reasons. Recess, besides giving elementary-schoolers a break from a taxing day of learning, also is an exercise opportunity. Schools should be focusing on giving exercise opportunities to students, not taking them away. Childhood obesity is already a problem plaguing millions of elementary school students across the country — let’s not make it worse.

Recess is also a time for social development and teambuilding. Letting students organize games can build leadership skills and cooperation among classmates, skills that can translate into improved academic performance.

Finally, schools cannot micromanage every faction of a student’s life. Kids have energy, and injuries will still take place, tag or no tag. Instead of whamming Johnny with a kickball during recess, Billy might “accidentally” trip Susie in the lunch line. Injuries are inevitable at elementary schools, and they can often occur at times of the day that are unsupervised.

Recess is a valuable part of the school day for all elementary school students, and enforcing contact sport bans, while easier for teachers and school administrators, might be detrimental to the students in the long run.