BLOOMINGTON - At Oakland Elementary School, the game of tag has become "it."

Principal Mary Kay Scharf banned the game this week, along with other "chase" games, because children were missing as much as 20 to 30 minutes after recess to deal with scraped knees, torn clothing or even suspensions from aggressive games.

Scharf said children are still encouraged to run and get exercise, just not to chase and capture. "There's a whole lot of running going on," she said Friday.

The school has similar rules against snow play because of snowball fights.

Bloomington District 87 doesn't have a policy about tag, but limits such play when incidents arise, said David Wood, the district's chief financial and legal officer.

Tag is allowed at Fairview Elementary School in Normal-based Unit 5, but there have been "issues" with aggressive games.

"We model what they should do," said Principal James Shaw, explaining children can gently tug instead of forcefully push whoever is designated "it." He "revisits" the issue during assemblies if reminders are needed.