Jordan's Advocate - One Mom's journey to change our schools.

Hello, I am Jordan's Advocate. A mom who has four children who have never been in trouble, ever. But I understand some children do get in trouble, and I started doing some research about our school system and started questioning some of the discipline techniques used at my son's school after several years ago within the first two weeks of school all three of my sons, from different grades came home and said, they or their class had missed part or all of recess.

I had a son in kindergarten as well. His teacher was taking away part of recess as punishment. Do kids need recess? Experts say YES!

My son in first grade came home with a note to all the parents that said, he had to read every night in addition to homework, and had to "show evidence" that he read or he would miss recess. Also, parents not signing an assignment notebook each evening at the time, equaled a missed recess as well. Should elementary children be held responsible if a parent doesn't sign a notebook? Should a first grader have to show evidence of anything?

It's not OK for a first grader/elementary student to sit at school all day, a boy especially, and not be able to have a break. This break is where real socialization skills are learned by children, stress is relieved, childhood obesity is burned away, exercise creates greater achievement at school and higher test scores. The list goes on and on.

Through my research, I found even the President of the National PTA agrees. There is one more reason why recess should not be taken away from children...research supports it doesn't work, at all.

The school wants us to join the PTA, but the school has an obligation, in my opinion, to follow the advice of the National PTA when it comes to the well being of our children. Hmmm, I have shown the district evidence, of needed change at this particular school and there has been very little if anything done about it.

If you would like to see change or if you need an advocate for your child who has experiences like this, you can contact me at www.jordansadvocate.com.

I do not have anything against the district, I only want to see positive change for our school system and excellent care of our children. I am a confident advocate and can help you become an advocate for your child.