SB339 would require school districts to provide a certain amount of daily recess and moderate physical activity time for K-8 students. It would also require the establishment and administration of a Kansas state fitness test. Read the full text of the bill here. 

Please contact your state representatives and Senate leadership urging them to support this bill. 

(Enter your address on this website to find your state representatives. Click their name to find their contact information. Click here to find contact information for Senate leadership or see below.)

Talking Points:

• SB339 is a MAHA Initiative and seeks to improve the health and learning of Kansas’ children and future leaders. 

• The book Spark (Ratey, J.J, & Hagerman, E. (2008). Spark: The revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain. Little, Brown and Company.) records the following benefits of exercise:

• Movement and exercise is essential to the brain. Movement triggers chemical and structural changes that improve brain function.

• Exercise boosts memory, focus, and learning capacity

• Schools that integrate physical activity see better academic results

• Enhances Attention and Executive Skills, regulates emotions and more effective problem-solving skills

• Reduces behavior Issues and stress

• Helps with ADHD and learning challenges

• Exercise isn’t a break from learning, IT FUELS LEARNING

• By providing regular exercise opportunities for kids, SB339 will help reduce chronic health risks like obesity and inactivity-related conditions.

• SB339 teaches kids that when they are active and healthy, they feel better, learn better, and perform better. 

Sample Message:

Subject: Support SB 339 – Daily Recess & Physical Activity in Kansas Schools

Dear [Legislator’s Name],

I’m writing to express my support for Senate Bill 339. This bill, an initiative of the MAHA movement to help combat childhood obesity, would require that students in kindergarten through eighth grade receive time for recess and physical activity. 

Daily physical activity is essential for children’s physical health, mental well-being, and academic success. The book Spark documents the following benefits of exercise: improves brain function, memory, focus, and learning capacity; helps with ADHD and learning challenges; regulates emotions and reduces behavioral problems; enhances problem solving skills; and produces better academic outcomes. Exercise isn’t a break from learning; it fuels learning.

SB339 will improve the health and learning of Kansas children – our state’s future leaders. I urge you to support SB 339. 

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your City, KS]

Citation: Ratey, J.J, & Hagerman, E. (2008). Spark: The revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain. Little, Brown and Company.

Senate Leadership Contact Information:

Full Senate Leadership Copy and Paste List:

Ty.Masterson@senate.ks.gov, Tim.Shallenburger@senate.ks.gov, Chase.Blasi@senate.ks.gov, Caryn.Tyson@senate.ks.gov, Rick.Kloos@senate.ks.gov, Dinah.Sykes@senate.ks.gov, Oletha.Faust-Goudeau@senate.ks.gov, Cindy.Holscher@senate.ks.gov, Marci.Francisco@senate.ks.gov, Ethan.Corson@senate.ks.gov

President | Ty Masterson (R): 785-296-2419

Vice President | Tim Shallenburger (R): 785-296-7361

Majority Leader | Chase Blasi (R): 785-296-2497

Assistant Majority Leader | Caryn Tyson (R): 785-296-6838

Majority Whip | Rick Kloos (R): 785-296-7645

Minority Leader | Dinah Sykes (D): 785-296-3245

Assistant Minority Leader | Oletha Faust-Goudeau (D): 785-296-7387

Minority Whip | Cindy Holscher (D): 785-296-7659

Agenda Chair | Marci Francisco (D): 785-296-7364

Caucus Chair | Ethan Corson (D): 785-296-7390