The Department of Education encourages at least 20 minutes of outdoor recess whenever possible. In guidance sent to principals, the DOE stipulates that children should be allowed to play outdoors "unless it is snowing, or there is ice on the playground, or the wind-chill factor is below zero degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius)." Principals still interpret this in wildly different ways: Progressive schools are likely to bundle kids up and take them outside and make a science lesson out of ice and snow; some schools keep children inside even on relatively warm 40 degree days. On a school tour, ask your guide what kids do if the weather is poor. Do they watch videos in the lunchroom? Play board games in the classroom? Run around in the gym? What should you do if you're dissatisfied with your school's recess policy? If you're unhappy, chances are that other parents are as well. Try taking it up with the PTA, SLT or school safety committee.