Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- As Central New Yorkers head back to class, multiple Syracuse elementary school's are saying 'so long' to recess.
Recess is what gets some kids through the day, but at Syracuse’s Meachem Elementary School, recess is being done away with.
The district has no formal policy in place, leaving recess at the hands of each individual elementary school.
Parents plan on attending a meeting on Tuesday to let district leaders know they’re not happy with the latest decision.
Tracie Fadian has three kids in the Syracuse City School District. Her one-year-old hasn't even started school yet, but when he does, it won't be in Syracuse if no recess is scheduled.
“If it takes a while to move than I'll go to school, sign my child out, bring him to the playground, and sign him back in everyday until we find another district to live in,” Fadian said.
Many parents who know about the district's new policy are working to get recess back. The problem is, most found out after school had already started through a letter sent home from teachers.
Todd Doss is organizing an emergency meeting to talk with parents district-wide.
“As you can see, there are no kids on the playground. It's a shame. For a lot of kids, this is the only time they get to see their friends; to play with each other. And like I said, to learn socially and emotionally figure out what to do and what not to do,” said Doss.
But the details of the district's new plan aren't completely understood and parents say they aren't being communicated well, which runs contrary to one of Superintendent Sharon Contreras’ "Five Great Expectations," spelled out last year to "communicate effectively with all district stakeholders."
Parents argue that the lack of recess is going against the national “Let’s Move” campaign, which looks to get kids active and battle childhood obesity.
Fadian says her elementary school aged son has less interest in going to school this year and hopes the district will schedule recess before she relocates.
NewsChannel 9 reached out to the district multiple times for comment and still has not heard back.
Meanwhile, Meachem Elementary School’s PTO has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday night. It will begin at 6 p.m. and all parents are invited to attend.
