Time Out

"Tag, you're out! Officials at an elementary school south of Boston have banned kids from playing tag, touch football and any other unsupervised chase game during recess for fear they'll get hurt and hold the school liable.

Recess is "a time when accidents can happen," said Willett Elementary School Principal Gaylene Heppe, who approved the ban."

It's bad enough most schools are trying to get rid of recess (which, I think, contributes to them being fatter than the last generation). But now the schools who still allow are trying this crap.

If "we don't want the kids hurt" was a viable excuse, than they should ban sports as a whole. But they won't do that because (1) the schools make a little money off the deal and (2) where would colleges get their recruits?

I think the other important thing at stake is this: when kids play at recess, they use their brains and their bodies. I won many a tag game not just by being fast, but by outwitting and anticipating my targets.

Sure kids go wild during recess, but it plays a part in keeping them healthy and sharp. And I'd rather them go wild outside than in a classroom.