The Rochester School Committee is considering adding more play to the school day.

Rochester Memorial School Principal Derek Medeiros discussed increasing playtime for kids during Thursday night's School Committee meeting. Medeiros said that although the school has a 20-minute minimum requirement for recess, he is looking to include "energizers" throughout the day.

Play is an important part of learning, said committee member Tina Rood.

"The impact is so important for learning about themselves and learning about the way things work," she said.

The committee agreed to discuss a plan for integrating play so students' schedules aren't "regimented." Committee member Robin Rounseville requested background on alternatives to the system in place.

Currently, outdoor recess activities include four-square, football, basketball and soccer, but there are opportunities to incorporate learning into recess. The principal cited examples, including the recent visit from an artist who did chalk art collage with the students as well as possibly working with the Buzzards Bay Coalition to input signage identifying trees on the property. He said students can also weed and water the school garden during recess.

Students are allowed outside for recess as long as it isn't snowing, raining or below 20-degrees with a windchill.

Indoor recess doesn't promote movement so much as play, with academic games, board games, and music and art rooms.

Committee member Meagan Bennett called attention to the practice of taking away recess as a disciplinary action, saying parents have voiced concern over the matter.

"That's been a traditional consequence, and a tradition is hard to break," said Medeiros, who noted that both he and Assistant Principal Charles West discourage that practice.