Cyndi Loza

Three is company, but four is a crowd at Marvin Moss Elementary School.

Moss students in grades fourth through sixth must be involved in a structured activity if they wish to associate in groups of four or more during recess at the school, 2200 Primio Way in Sparks, Principal Kristen McNeill said. The rule was put in place to reduce student loitering during this 30-minute break.

“We are having some concerns with students in our intermediate grades roving around on the playground in large groups,” McNeill wrote in a letter sent to parents on April 10. “This would not be an issue if it were not for some of our students feeling intimidated with this behavior.”

Structured activity can be anything from make-believe games to tetherball, she said. Students can play in groups of four or more as long it doesn’t “look like they’re sitting there without an activity,” McNeill said.

Parent Lynn Kantor, 37, of Sparks, said she feels the rule is unnecessary.

“It’s pathetic and sad,” said Kantor, who said her daughter was reprimanded for talking to her friends in a group of four or more during recess. “I mean, you’re talking about children that are 8 and 9 (years old).”

The Washoe County School District has no set, district-wide policy on discipline.

“It’s a principal’s responsibility to maintain a safe and orderly environment,” said Lisa Noonan, superintendent of elementary education. “So, we don’t have the same rule book for every campus and every school.”

School district spokesman Steve Mulvenon said McNeill is well within her rights to place this rule, and she has the school district’s full support.

McNeill said the rule will remain in place until the end of the school year.