Quick Facts
- This spring, the School Board unanimously approved lengthening elementary school recess from 30 to 40 minutes.
- The additional recess time will take effect in the 2025-26 school year.
- This change recognizes the many benefits of physical activity, unstructured play, and social interaction in supporting our students’ overall well-being.
- To accommodate the additional recess time, several adjustments have been approved, including reducing the time reserved for student arrival from 30 to 20 minutes.
Full Message/Details
Dear Elementary School Families,
We hope you are well. We are writing to inform you of an exciting update to our elementary school schedule.
This spring,
the Hanover County School Board unanimously approved lengthening elementary school recess from 30 to 40 minutes beginning in the 2025-26 school year. This change recognizes the many benefits of physical activity, unstructured play, and social interaction in supporting our students’ overall well-being.
In order to accommodate the additional 10 minutes of recess while also maintaining compliance to recommended instructional time, several adjustments have been approved. Please note the following:
- The time reserved for student arrival will be reduced from 30 to 20 minutes (our pre-pandemic practice was 15 minutes). While more information will be shared in advance of the first day of school by your student’s school, elementary schools will shift their arrival time from 7:30-8 a.m. to 7:30-7:50 a.m. with the tardy bell ringing at 7:50 a.m. Cool Spring ES, Mechanicsville ES, and Laurel Meadow ES will shift from 7:45-8:15 a.m. to 7:45-8:05 a.m. with the tardy bell ringing at 8:05 a.m.
- Additionally, morning meetings in grades 2-5 will be reduced by five minutes.
- The end of the school day remains the same (2:30 p.m.; 2:45 p.m. for Cool Spring ES, Mechanicsville ES, and Laurel Meadow ES).
- We have updated our recommended minutes per day by content area/activity for elementary schools, which can be found
on BoardDocs.
Research shows that increased recess time can improve students' focus, behavior, and academic performance while also promoting physical health. By allowing more opportunities for movement and free play, the School Board and school division administration aim to foster a positive learning environment where students can thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Again, more information will be shared by your student’s school. We are greatly excited to allow our students more recess time and support their physical health, encourage active play, and promote overall well-being through movement and outdoor activity.
Thank you.
Hanover County Public Schools