I am so glad to see you express the opinion about running off the excess energy.
I taught elementary physical education and was always available for a little extra activity between classes. Sometimes the kids were lined up at the door as a class left.
Then in came the UNIONS and I was not allowed to offer extra help since there had been no provision for extra compensation!!
I went home and had my own babies and stayed there for 22 years!
I'll tell you, there's nothing like a good run around the schoolyard for the kids. However the schools don't allow it anymore, not only because of the *unions* but liability-- if one kid trips over his own feet and breaks his nose, the school and the teacher will be held responsible. So no one dares suggest it!
Unscrupulous lawyers and litigation have ruined childhood for our kids. I would propose jumping rope as an alternative, but then some Ritalin-drugged kid would probably try to hang himself or another kid from the monkey bars.
Best thing to do is to keep our kids out of public school; but if that is not possible, keep a close watch on what is going on. I fully intend to, as I've had to get back to work and can't homeschool my kids this year.