GRAND RAPIDS, MI - A Zeeland elementary school is clarifying its new "No Tag, No Chasing" policy, which is aimed at stopping behavior during the game that was deemed too rough for kindergartners.

On Wednesday, Oct. 2, New Groningen kindergarten teachers sent home a letter alerting parents to the policy. It described the problem of children "running in packs, pushing, knocking other children over, and making the game dangerous."

On Thursday, Oct. 3, a follow up letter was sent home with students clarifying the policy after the "no tag" rule created a bit of controversy.

"We want our children to treat each other with respect, kindness, and with safety in mind," said Ginger Smith, community relations manager for Zeeland Public Schools, on Friday.

On Thursday, the kindergarten team attempted to make sure there was no misunderstanding among any of its parents. The K- 5 school, located at 10542 Chicago Drive, serves 425 students, including 68 kindergartners.

"Our concerns are based out of care and safety for each child," they wrote. "Yesterday we took the entire kindergarten group and modeled the correct expectations for appropriate recess behavior and demonstrated examples of safe, fun play."

The teachers, who previously said several children were getting hurt daily, told parents that the modeling experience proved helpful for the students.

"All students at New Groningen are expected to treat others with respect and kindness," according to the kindergarten team letter. "When a negative behavior is recognized, the staff handles each situation with care and concern."

Neither the school nor the district have received any direct complaints from parents about the new policy, but at least one parent contacted the media about the policy.

Rough play and "Push-tag" has been discussed on parent websites such as Mumsnet.

In Zeeland, the consequences of continued rough behavior would be immediate removal from play, a note home to parents, and missing the next two recess periods, according to the first letter.

However, teachers now think the students understand how they need to play with one another.

Monica Scott is the Grand Rapids K-12 education writer. Email her at mscott2@mlive.com and follow her on Twitter @GRPScotty or Facebook