Harper Cayton pushed the ends of a hula hoop back together while she stood on the turf section of the brand new post-lunch recess space at Queensbury Elementary School.
“I didn’t expect it to be this big,” said the second grader about t
he new fenced-in play area outside the QES cafeteria. “So when I found it, I liked it!”
Completion of the new PLR area is another major milestone in the district’s $39 million capital improvement project — called “Success For Our Future” — to modernize Queensbury Elementary School and enhance the overall learning environment on campus.
The post-lunch recess area boasts a turf field and basketball hoops set at a lower level for smaller children. When students finish eating lunch, they have about 10 minutes of PLR time. Some students spin hula hoops and build with blocks while others draw with chalk and shoot baskets.
The additional recess time outside after lunch provides valuable opportunities for physical activity, social development and cognitive refreshment.
“The kids are really enjoying the additional opportunity to get outside, be active, and have a brain and movement break in the middle of their day,” said QES Principal Jessica Rossetti. “In addition to the social benefits, we know that research shows an increase in academic outcomes and more on-task behavior when students have a chance to have physical activity breaks during their day.”
