Where Have All The Swing Sets Gone?

There’s a little song from Joni Mitchell that states, “They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot… don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone…”

This is the way I feel about a West Virginia school district. They announced their decision to take down their school playground equipment. Unfortunately, they won’t ‘know what they had going for them until it’s gone.’ There are a lot of added benefits to allowing children to have fun outdoors at recess. In fact, a study showed children were more attentive and creative in the classroom when allowed “free play” time including outdoor recess.*

The swings are being removed from Cabell County schools in southern West Virginia in part because of a lawsuit. They claim the lawsuit this past year was too costly. The incident involved a youngster who broke his arm jumping off a swing (like he was a superhero). A report states the school district settled for $20,000… of their OWN money.

I’m definitely not siding with the suit-happy parents. “Little Johnny” was probably just being a regular energetic little boy… and a little personal responsibility and character should have come into play here. But he is a child.

With that in mind, though, how many other “little Johnny’s” are out there? How many can you identify in YOUR classrooms? Unfortunately, this case illustrates today’s parents won’t hesitate to sue. When their “little Johnny” or “little Jill” fall from the swing sets in your school yard, someone in authority is certainly to blame.

So, what should be the correct response? By removing the swings, you now punish all of your students. Is that overreaction or a prudent risk management strategy? The fact will remain that some children are just daredevils or aggressive in their play, and it’s not an option to completely stop children from running during recess.

What SHOULD you be doing?
You should be protecting yourself with the proper insurance from a highly-ranked company and have an experienced Charter School Risk Manager oversee your coverage.

That way, if Johnny’s parents sue you and your school, you’ll be covered. Your school won’t have to pay from its own pockets, like Cabell County did.

Don’t remove your swings.
Protect them…protect your school.
(And let the kids play!)

*In 1993, Pelligrini & Davis published the results of a study on the effects of recess on classroom behavior. The results showed that many students build up excess energy and may become fidgety and unable to concentrate during class when denied the opportunity to exercise during recess. Additionally, the California Department of Education conducted a study that showed that children who are physically active score higher on the Stanford Achievement Test.