I have a plan to address stress and angst for middle school students of the Bellevue School District that will cost nothing: recess. Let the students have 45 minutes a day to eat lunch and go outside to play, talk, read or whatever they want to do at their own direction.

No stakes, self-directed time. Don’t tie it into test scores and metrics. No consultants, no contractors, expenses or studies needed. Let kids be kids.

This is much better than the social and emotional learning programs described in the article “Bellevue School District targets students’ emotional, social well-being to curb angst,” in your March 11 issue.

David Hasbrook

Bellevue