Claire Beaman

Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School, a public school, from the outside.

Students and teachers are raising concerns over Kennedy’s new rule eliminating breaks and time outside. Students at Kennedy High School are frustrated after learning outdoor breaks will be removed from the daily schedule.

This rule developed from teachers expressing that students from other classes were disrupting classes on their way outside. Making this change creates a need to increase instructional time and improve classroom focus.

“This really came from teachers who are frustrated that their hallways were so loud with all these classes going outside, as the kids are walking by, they’re making all sorts of noise and disrupting their own classes,”  Kennedy High School Principal Jason Kline said. “So that’s where, like that’s where this really all started.” 

Students claim going outside benefits both teachers and students. Teachers believe it helps them tremendously with their work, and going outside with fresh air is better than staying inside and being on electronics all day.

“It was so great seeing staff and students outside talking, laughing, exercising, and not on cell phones or with headphones on!” Heather Zwanzinger, World History teacher at Kennedy, said.

“It was something I was super proud of last year and this year, and I am sad to see it go away.” 

Students also believe it does help them with their work, improving their behavior, focus and performance. The change has sparked debate among students about the balance between academic learning and mental health. Several say outdoor time helps them reset mentally and return to class more motivated.

“I think that breaks for students are a good thing and actually help increase learning and concentration. Going outside can help increase focus and creativity, and offer students a time to relax and get a mental reset.” Freshman, Zoa Barbee said. “It can provide a brain break without having to relocate the whole class, which would be using the Pomodoro technique, which consists of studying or working for 20 minutes, then taking a five-minute break.” 

Going outside can also have its disadvantages. It was too much of a distraction and disruption, some teachers argue. Disturbances in the hallway were the biggest concern voiced by teachers. 

”…They can be if the teachers and students are not approaching the exit quietly…but being outside allows students to be louder and move more without being as disruptive to people,” Zwanzinger said.

There are many mixed views on this, saying it can help students with learning and concentration, while it can also cause many classroom disruptions. There can be ways they can have breaks without going outside.

“If you want to go outside, we have an outdoor classroom space. It’s not the greatest space, but it does exist in the north end. It takes students outside,” Kline said.

Overall, this new rule can impact both student, and teachers.

“I see so many creative and enjoyable ways teachers are incorporating the beautiful outdoor space here at KHS for instructional purposes, and I see students enjoying time with classmates and teachers outdoors on their breaks – it preaches while practicing strategies for mental health!”