Tag, you're it! Administrators in a Washington school district tried to ban the popular children's game "tag" from being played at recess, but received backlash from a slew of parents.
On Friday, the game that involves physical contact between players was reinstated and allowed to be played at recess.
"Tag" involves a selected "it" to chase other players, tapping them anywhere on the body, making them the next "it."
The Washington's Mercer Island School District proposed a hands-off version of the game in order to keep children safer at recess. New York Daily News explains, Superintendent Gary Plano said, "[We] came up with the 'hands off' idea to help minimize negative physical interactions among elementary school children during recess or unstructured play."
Plano went on to add that the physical-nature of the original game could get too violent, advising children sometimes tagged one another "too hard and felt more like a hit." At such a young age, it could be understandable for a child to be unaware of their own strength, thus inflicting some pain when passing the position of "it" onto another.
However, parents were not having it. Parents created a Facebook group called STAR MI which stands for "Support Tag at Recess in Mercer Island." The group with over 400 members is dedicated to "Mercer Islanders who value physical activity at recess." The group believes the traditional form of "tag" and "and other child led games encourage independence and much needed activity. Our group wants to bring back 'tag' to Mercer Island schools."
The Internet has touched on the subject with various Twitter users both for and against the banning of tag.
@trill34 "Just saw on the news some grade school is banning tag at recess. Wow let's close the library and ban hot lunch while we're at it. TAG??!!
@LosFelizDaycare "We Stand with fellow daycares in baning tag. Tag promotes nagativeideals and violence. Let's live in a world where we're all 'it.' #Bantag"
To STAR MI's delight, the game of "tag" was allowed back on the playground through out the district. Although the New York Daily News states the Mercer Island School District is still looking to a hands-free solution. At this time, they are looking to administrators and parents for feedback while encouraging students to play "flag tag" instead.