An article in NY Times describes an interesting scenario where one city middle school has hired a recess coordinator.  According to the article, this particular school was facing challenges with behavior and appropriate socialization during recess.  The response: to find a recess coach.  This coach organizes games and encourages students to play, interact, and exercise.    Reportedly, the recess coach, in this school, is funded by a grant.  While I think, in theory, this is a great idea- in this economy I think it is wasteful.  I think the private foundations who financially support this must have their priorities mixed up.  Is recess so important that schools must now employ someone to oversee those twenty minutes?  How about backing a math tutor or reading specialist instead?  That way, when the kids are too old to get their kicks from hopscotch, they can find gainful employment outside the playground.  I may sound a little harsh here.  But good teachers are losing their jobs left and right in this country.  Students are being piled into classrooms full of kids.  Teachers are facing salary cuts and increasing demands on their time.  Yet, the philanthropists and segments of the government can find funding for something so ridiculous as a recess coach?  Seriously?