Donna Black’s philosophy on recess is that schools expect a lot from elementary students, and children need a break.

“We really work awfully hard to get as much academics in as we can,” said Black, principal at Wakarusa Valley School. “But there’s just a lot of energy in those little bodies, and they need some time to play.”

First-graders entertain themselves on a jungle gym during afternoon recess at Wakarusa Valley School, 1104 East 1000 Road. Across the nation, schools are either canceling or restricting the amount of recess that students have. That's not the case in the Lawrence district, where the first-graders played Thursday.

Despite that, and the fact most elementary students will tell you recess is their favorite subject, school districts nationwide increasingly are cutting it from schedules.

A study by the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education found that about 40 percent of the nation’s school districts have changed, eliminated or are considering eliminating recess from the daily routine for elementary school students.

Usually, districts are looking for more time for academic instruction.

“I really see that as being counterproductive,” said Stewart Trost, assistant professor of kinesiology at Kansas State University. “Evidence and research shows that when kids have breaks they are more on task and less disruptive.”

Lawrence officials say the likelihood of eliminating recess from public schools is minimal.

School Board President Leni Salkind said she could not remember the board ever discussing such a move.

“I actually think it’s healthy for the kids to have a break and have a bit of exercise,” she said. “Eight hours is a long time for children to sit and concentrate — especially for the little ones.”

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The Kansas State Department of Education does little to regulate recesses. Students must complete 186 days or 1,116 hours of class in a year. Up to 15 minutes of recess time in the morning and again in the afternoon can be counted toward that total.

“But that’s the only regulation,” said Kathy Toelkes, a spokeswoman for the Education Department. “They also don’t have to provide recess, or they can provide more time.”

Lynda Allen, math and science director for the Lawrence district, said Lawrence schools this year would be required to stick to two 15-minute recesses, though last year several schools allowed children to take two 20-minute recesses daily. But Allen, who also is involved with health and physical education, doesn’t see recesses being eliminated.

“I see two factors,” she said. “Kids need time to move around, and the other part of it is obesity is a major problem. We want the kids to be physically fit and healthy.”

As students get older, recess time generally declines. Based on information from last year, Allen said first-graders averaged 155 minutes of recess a week. Sixth-graders averaged 83 minutes a week.

“That’s probably a good transition into junior high school because they aren’t going to have recess at that point,” she said.