“Officials at Weber Middle School in Port Washington are worried that students are getting hurt during recess. Thus, they have instituted a ban on footballs, baseballs, lacrosse balls, or anything that might hurt someone on school grounds. … some parents said it is really about liability and lawsuits.” [CBS New York] More: Lowering the Bar.
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This is profoundly destructive educational malpractice.
(1) Physical exertion in a recess break enables boys especially to pay better attention when class is resumed.
(2) Physical exertion is an excellent prophylactic against childhood obesity. In a just world, some morbidly obese guy 30 years from now would be able to sue these witless administrators for his medical losses, but our legal system is better at victimizing undeserving targets.
This is what a world where school administrators’ judgment can’t be trusted looks like.
Unfortunately, school administrators have shown us over and over again that their judgment can’t be trusted.
Read “With Folded Hands” by Jack Williamson.
In the mid-60s, my elementary school banned the popular game of “Foxy” a group “tag” game, because children were getting hurt.
We managed to find something else to do.