Should children's recess be a Lenten sacrifice?

[Alvar_Nunez]

My son is in fourth grade at a Catholic school. Just prior to the beginning of Lent it was decided as part of a school-wide “group sacrifice” that recess would be eliminated for one day out of the total of five days for the week. During that time the classes go to chapel and pray. They also have a silent lunch during Lent.

Is this really a Lenten sacrifice if the decision is arbitrarily made by others?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Group sacrifices chosen by those in authority for all to participate in are fine. What is happening in your child’s school though seems to me to be problematic. A school for children, even a Catholic school, is not a monastery. Children need recess and they need to socialize with each other in constructive ways so as to both burn off energy (recess) and relax (socializing). If I were a parent with a child in this school, I would make an appointment with the principal to discuss my concerns.