State College Area School Board on Monday unanimously approved changes to policies for homework and recess.
The revisions set expectations and guidelines for elementary school level homework and kindergarten through sixth grade recess.
Revisions to the policies were developed throughout the fall at the same time as the new school day schedule was being created. Changes to the school day, beginning in 2018-19, were approved in December and extend the elementary day by 44 minutes, starting at 8:10 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m.
The school day proposal set an increase in recess time, and board members and administrators said revisions to the homework policy would not increase, and could decrease homework time.
The policy sets 10 minutes of nightly reading and no other homework, except review of the communication folder, for kindergarten through second grade.
For third grade, homework would include 20 minutes of nightly reading and a maximum of 10 minutes daily or 40 minutes weekly of other homework. Fourth and fifth grade homework would be 20 minutes of nightly reading and a maximum of 20 minutes daily or 80 minutes weekly for other homework.
‘As indicated by research findings, District homework regulations for the elementary level should emphasize the value of daily reading at home; restrict required daily homework for classes in the K-5 level to a minimum; and, increase required daily homework slightly from primary (K-2) to intermediate grades (3-5),’ the policy states
It includes a number of guidelines for teachers and families, including that teachers should communicate what is being learned in the classroom through platforms such as newsletters and the Seesaw social media program, among other possibilities. Teachers also are expected to collaborate when assigning homework so not to exceed maximums.
Board member Amy Bader said she appreciated the ‘significant shift from our previous policy in that it’s much more specific.’
The policy ‘is written to communicate the Board’s expectations of consistent homework guidelines across the district.’
‘That’s pretty key to what we’re looking to do here, establishing consistency,’ Board President Amber Concepcion said.
Missing recess may not be used as a punishment for not completing homework under the proposal.
For the recess policy, each elementary school will have at least 30 minutes in the daily schedule for recess, with sixth grade students having a period of 15 minutes or more. Recess should be scheduled before lunch when possible and should be in addition to scheduled physical education classes.
Temperature guidelines call for full recess outside when the temperature is 20 degrees or above, provided children have appropriate outer garments. At 15 to 19 degrees, the school principal will determine how long outdoor recess will be from 15 to 30 minutes. Outdoor recess will be 15 minutes when the temperature is between 10 and 14 degrees, and between 5 and 9 degrees the principal will determine if students should have a five minute walk outside.
Other factors such as wind gusts and blacktop and playground conditions would give the principal discretion on whether there should be outdoor recess.
In the event of inclement weather, students would have indoor physical activity.
Revisions adopted on Monday incorporated feedback from the board at its Jan. 8 meeting as well as the district’s Culture, Climate and Learning Committee.
In other business:
– The board approved an accelerated budget opt out resolution, which guarantees the district will not raise the district real estate tax above the state Act 1 index of 2.4 percent for 2018-19.
– An agreement with Patton Township Police for a school resource officer at Park Forest Middle School. A State College Police officer held a shared position as SRO for Mount Nittany Middle School and Park Forest. When that officer retired, the department combined the position for Mount Nittany and Delta Program and the Park Forest position was left vacant. Because Park Forest is in Patton Township, duplication of services was difficult to maintain.
Patton Township Police have maintained an ongoing relationship with the district and supported the school upon request. The agreement approved Monday allows the department to provide routine support through a formal SRO position. The estimated annual cost is $62,000, which is included in the district budget.
