Strike A Chord: Fighting for Recess

Dr. Shawn Ladda is a professor at Manhattan College, and used to be on the board at SHAPE America, a group that advocates for increased and quality physical education. She says schools should not be cutting phys ed, but instead increasing it.

“The key is to have quality physical education in each and every school. Increased quality physical education and physical activity in the school day and outside, that’s where you’re going to get achievement gains in terms of cognition.”

Alexandra Cappello, a physical educator at P.S. 294 in the Bronx, couldn’t agree more.

“It’s really important that, teachers are on board with students moving and providing after school programs, just making movement a lifestyle, because it’s something that unfortunately they don’t get the opportunity to do as much outside of school.”

Cappello says some kids live in neighborhoods that are not safe enough to play outside.