HOWELL - In an effort to address the inconsistencies associated with the way recess has been handled in Howell public schools, the Board of Education has established guidelines for all schools to follow.

The guidelines are not policy or a mandate. Instead, they are the board's way of examining whether recess can successfully be reintegrated back into the school day.

Recently, a committee was formed to look into the issue of how recess was being handled after a parent complained that it was not being instituted fairly across the district.

When it formed, the committee said, "The Howell Township School District parents and community members are committed to creating a healthy environment in which students can develop academically, emotionally and physically. We believe healthy children make better students. To that end we believe that daily recess provides our students with exercise, socialization and a needed break from their academically challenging school day. Having a balanced school day will help our children set goals and achieve their dreams."

The criteria set for unstructured play time are the following: recess must be a minimum of 20 minutes of engaged daily play; it must be as close to midday as possible; children should go outside with age appropriate peers; depending on the weather, if the temperature is 35 degrees or higher the children should go outside; recess will not be used as a reward or punishment; students will not be denied recess for more than five minutes for behavioral issues, and if there was a behavioral issue parents would be notified when recess is denied; students will not be denied recess for inability to complete assignments; recess will be granted in addition to the students' regular physical education class.

According to Assistant Superintendent of Schools Susan Vonsover, these guidelines are a "compromise for the parents and everyone on that committee. This is something we will try. It is absolutely a necessity for children to get outside and have some free time in their very busy school day."

The committee members will evaluate the effectiveness of the guidelines when they reconvene in the spring.

Vonsover said any issues that may arise from now up until that time will be documented by building principals and brought before the committee as a record of issues that were encountered.

Due to the guidelines not being policy or a mandate, teachers will continue to take the children outside at their discretion. However, they are encouraged to do it around midday.

Board member Patricia Blood said teachers should not be locked into a specific time for recess. Blood said she believes that as the school day progresses teachers will choose the most optimal time to go out.

"This will need some time to evolve," she said.

Marie Walton, a parent and advocate for recess, said ultimately she would like to see the guidelines become a mandate.

The guidelines for recess were presented to building principals on Sept. 21. The principals were encouraged to discuss the issue at back to school nights and to work with their PTA/PTO to bring daily recess back to the schools.