Contact Sports During Recess Banned Temporarily At Mantua Elementary

FAIRFAX, VA — Principal Linda Shannon sent a letter home to Mantua Elementary families on Friday that the school's administration had decided to temporarily ban all contact sports during recess, according to news reports.

"In recent weeks and months, several instances of spirited competition have given rise to increasing conflict, injury, and poor sportsmanship," Shannon wrote, in her letter. "As a staff, we have addressed those by supporting individuals and groups of students. Unfortunately, instances have continued across grade levels and student groups."

A Fairfax County Public Schools spokesperson told ABC7 News that the ban was a "brief pause" that would allow school staff to devise a way to monitor recess activities to ensure student safety.

The text of Shannon's letter to Mantua Elementary families reads:

Dear Mantua Families,

I understand the concerns that have been raised in response to my recent communication. As a parent and educator, I value the importance of play while developing the skills to navigate the challenges of competition. I also understand that we need to determine safe ways to provide these opportunities to our students.

The immediate decision to suspend contact sports was made with student safety at its center. Among the many talents our students possess, we have great athletes. In recent weeks and months, several instances of spirited competition have given rise to increasing conflict, injury, and poor sportsmanship. As a staff, we have addressed those by supporting individuals and groups of students. Unfortunately, instances have continued across grade levels and student groups. I recognize that there are steps I could have taken with you, as I have in other situations, to build a common awareness of the safety concerns and together make plans to move forward.

I do believe that we need to pause contact sports for a very brief period of time as we work together to identify the issues and create structures that ensure safety. We need to set our students up for success, given that we have a dynamic for competitive gaming that has sometimes become unsafe.

In the near future, I will bring together many voices to understand the need and to determine the next best steps. The expertise of our excellent Physical Education teachers, as well as staff feedback, student voice, and parent input, will be essential in determining the best course of action to ensure student safety and opportunity.

Additionally, I have connected with the Commissioner of our Mantua Basketball League to seek input and guidance. Our league supports so many of our students in developing developmentally appropriate play and sportsmanship. I look forward to sharing the outcomes of these collaborations with you soon.

Thank you for your time and care,

Linda Shannon