Each grade level at Traverse Mountain Elementary has one scheduled 10-minute recess either before or after lunch. These recesses are supervised by classroom teachers.
During the lunch period, students enter the lunchroom first and head out to recess as they finish eating. Most students spend about 15 minutes eating and the remainder of the time outside. Lunch and recess are scheduled over a 90-minute period to stagger playground use and balance the number and ages of students outside at any one time. Some grade levels overlap for 5 to 10 minutes.
Lunch recesses are supervised by aides stationed throughout the playground. These aides are easy for students to spot in their brightly colored vests. School administrators also join students at recess as often as possible.