Let kids be kids — not!

I received this email from a friend, who thought that you all might have some useful input about a recent policy change at her daughter’s elementary school:

Apparently a boy got hit in the head playing football at recess and hurt himself, though I don’t know in what way or how badly.

The school’s response has been to ban all soccer and football at recess and lunch despite the fact that no accident occurred in soccer. Children can still play basketball and tetherball. They are only permitted to play soccer or football under adult supervision, that is at p.e.

We happen to think that this policy is ridiculous. I plan to meet with the principal to try to convince her to bring soccer back. This is an affluent community with some pretty protective and forceful parents. I don’t know if the principal is afraid of a lawsuit- but for heavens sake- minor bumps and scrapes is a part of childhood!

If you feel inclined to put this to your blog, I would be interested to know what you and your readers have to say about it. I could use some good points when I meet with the principal (who is a pretty strong and opinionated lady herself).

So, my friends, if you were meeting with a school principal and wanted to have a rational, intelligent, polite discussion with her that would help convince her that a ban on soccer and football is a bad idea, what would you say?