Is it an extreme case of helicopter parenting or a smart move to keep kids safe ? That 's what parents are asking after hearing about a Long Island middle school 's decision to ban most balls during recess and also require supervision of tag , even cartwheels , due to safety concerns . No longer allowed at the Weber Middle School in Port Washington , New York : footballs , baseballs , soccer balls , lacrosse balls and any other hardballs that could injure a child . Also off limits : rough games of tag and cartwheels unless an adult supervisor is on hand . `` We want to make sure our children have fun but are also protected , '' Kathleen Mooney , superintendent of Port Washington Schools , said in a local television interview , noting how playground injuries can `` unintentionally '' become very serious . Whatever happened to 'go outside and play ? ' The school district , in a press release , said that due to construction going on at the school , there is `` limited space '' for the children to play during their 20-minute recess period . `` With children in close proximity to each other , it is not safe for them to be engaged in unstructured play with hardballs , '' said the district . It 's not clear when the construction project will come to an end at the school and if kids will be able to resume normal ball-playing after it wraps up . A call to the superintendent 's office for confirmation has not yet been returned . Soft nerf balls will be provided during recess , and kids can play with hardballs during gym and intramural athletics . Not suprisingly , when we asked what people thought about this school 's policy on CNN 's Facebook page , we got a ton of comments , the majority outraged by the school 's decision . `` There are rational precautions ( helmets for bikers ) and then there is ridiculous . This is over the top , '' said Erika Hathaway Stockton on Facebook . Ways to help your children stay in the game injury-free . `` This is n't smart . It 's actually counter-productive , '' said Donna Daniels in an e-mail to CNN . `` It saddens me to think that children no longer experience the joy of kickball , tag , dodgeball and simple outdoor games I remember so fondly when I reflect on my childhood . Our kids do n't experience physical activity unless it involves downloading an app . '' `` Without opportunities to learn how to navigate space with their bodies , and to negotiate rules , risks , and experimentation of cooperative play , how are children going to ever be able to handle themselves in any society as adults ? '' said Alex Martin , an associate director at a Manhattan nursery school . On the other side , there were some people who thought the school 's actions were warranted . `` Freedom is great until the parents sue the school district , '' said Tyllor Parker on Facebook . `` I do n't think kids should have their fun pasttimes discontinued , but head trauma can be serious , '' said Marilyn Decker on Facebook . `` Helmets can lessen that . Even pro sports issues protection . Nothing wrong with that . They are now much more enlightened about wearing helmets while skateboarding and riding a bike , as well . '' What do you think -- wise move or going too far ? Tell us in the comments below .
Long Island middle school bans hardballs during recess after a rash of injuries . The school also requires supervision of rough forms of play and cartwheels . Most parents think the move went too far , with one calling the move ` ` ridiculous '' Some parents think the move is warranted because head trauma can be ` ` serious ''