WUFT-TV/FM | WJUF-FM
1200 Weimer Hall | P.O. Box 118405
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-5551

A service of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida.

© 2024 WUFT / Division of Media Properties
News and Public Media for North Central Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Florida Schools Can Hold Recess Inside Classrooms

Kindergarten and first grade students play during their morning recess time at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School in Gainesville. (Meghan Mangrum/WUFT News)
Kindergarten and first grade students play during their morning recess time at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School in Gainesville. (Meghan Mangrum/WUFT News)

Florida schools can comply with the state's new recess mandate without having to take children outside.

The Florida Department of Education on Friday told school superintendents that there's nothing in a new state law that dictates where recess must take place.

State legislators earlier this year passed a law that requires elementary schools to set aside 20 minutes each day for "free-play recess" although charter schools were exempted.

For the past two years mothers of school children pushed for recess, saying children need a break from schoolwork.

Department officials sent a memo to superintendents asking them to report to the state by Sept. 1 whether or not they are complying with the new mandate.

That memo also urged districts to establish weather guidelines to ensure student safety.

The Associated Press is a wire service to which WUFT News subscribes.