Cutchogue East students petition for outdoor recess below 32 degrees
A group of Cutchogue East Elementary School students have petitioned the Mattituck-Cutchogue school board to reduce the temperature requirement for outdoor recess.
During the school board’s regular meeting Thursday night, second-grade teacher Lisa Salvatore presented an audio slideshow created by students explaining why they believed the current temperature requirement of 32 degrees is too high.
The presentation included students explaining why they don’t mind the cold and included a slideshow of pictures they drew of student having fun during outdoor recess.
After board members said they were under the impression the 32-degree limit was a state mandate, assistant superintendent Anne Smith said the district is in charge of setting temperature restrictions for outdoor recess — not the state.
She later suggested the board consider lowering it to 30 degrees.
The school board’s wellness committee is expected to review the students’ request.
