The Balanced School Day Clarkson Public School

What is a balanced Day? Provides balanced teaching, learning, nutrition and physical activity Three extended blocks of uninterrupted learning time Two 40 minute breaks 20 minute eating time/20 minute outdoor play time Originated in Peel, but many boards have adopted the model 110 Peel Schools on a balanced day

Comparison CURRENT TIMETABLE PROPOSED TIMETABLE Start time is 9:00 am End time is 3:30 pm Start time is unchanged at 9:00 am End time is 3:20 pm 300 Instructional minutes 4 short learning blocs with 3 breaks 3 longer learning blocks with 2 Nutrition Breaks Lost learning time getting ready for shorter breaks Increased learning time with fewer but longer breaks Two snacks and one lunch Two small lunches

Breaks Proposed Balanced Timetable Both Breaks will include 20 minute eating time and 20 minute outdoor play Proposed Balanced Timetable 9:00 – 9:20 20 minutes of opening exercises 9:20 – 10:00 120 minutes of Instruction 10:00 – 10:40 10:40 – 11:20 11:20 – 12:00 1st Nutrition Break 12:00 - 12:40 80 minutes of Instruction 12:40 – 1:20 1:20 – 2:00 2nd Nutrition Break 2:00 – 2:40 2:40 – 3:20 Total 300 Instructional Minutes

Goal: High Expectation for Achievement-Benefits High Expectations for Achievement Longer blocks of uninterrupted learning time maximizes learning for students Supports the Ministry mandate of 60 minutes of uninterrupted time for mathematics Facilitates the recommended 60 minutes of uninterrupted language arts instruction Fewer transitions means less loss of instructional time due to dressing and undressing for breaks Longer blocks of time facilitates the scheduling of external presentations to enhance curriculum

Goal: High Expectation for Achievement-Benefits Nutritional Benefits Two 20 minute indoor eating times allows students to eat more nutritious meals throughout the day Second Nutrition break boosts energy later in the day to promote greater concentration and focus Research shows that students are more likely to eat all of their lunch when provided time to finish

Goal: High Expectation for Achievement-Benefits Early Years Student Benefits Moving from 3 breaks to 2 minimizes and helps support the seamless day for all students Two 20 minute eating breaks with 20 minutes of physical activity is more developmentally appropriate for our younger students

Goal: Equity and Inclusion-Benefits Supporting Vulnerable/Marginalized Students 2 breaks facilitate more opportunities for indoor intramural activities Inclusiveness will be promoted by running a P.A.L.S. program Teams of Student Leaders will invite and engage students in 10 to 15 minute cooperative games The shorter outdoor breaks with the organized games will support the children who find the 40 minute outdoor time daunting and often lonely for a myriad of reasons

Goal: Safe, Positive, Healthy Climate/ Well-Being Build a safe, positive, healthy climate for learning and working Improved student safety through the presence of both Teachers and Lunchroom Supervisors during all outside breaks Improved environmental safety Decreased presence of seagulls and stinging insects Students are not outside at noon during peak sun exposure Accommodates inclement weather days with less time of “Hardtop Only” Research shows trends of decreased behavioural issues/conflicts with a shortened recess Fewer transitions inside and outside creates a calmer atmosphere in the hallways and improved overall climate within the school

Goal: Parent, Community and Staff Engagement All Stakeholder Engagement The process of changing from a Traditional Day to The Balanced Day and the advent of two 40 minutes Nutrition breaks provides an opportunity to speak to the whole community about the important parts of our instructional day and the importance of being on time and at school regularly

Questions?

Other Considerations School Lunch program can still run (i.e., Hot Lunch Program) Extra – Curricular Activities can happen at either of the breaks Daily Physical Activity will be easier to schedule and integrate into an extended block of time

References http://www.hwdsb.on.ca People for Education- http://www.peopleforeducation.ca/faq/what-ifthe-balanced-day/ Trisha Woehrle, Susan Fox and Brenda Hoskin –The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, An Examination of the Balanced School Day Schedule Waterloo Region School Board: Report to the Community, 2005 Caledon East Public School-Help Your School Take Action – Creating Healthy Opportunities Whiteoaks Public School-Balanced School Day Information Halton District School Board-The Balanced Day Surveys Report Ottawa-Carleton District School Board-21st Century Learner: Schools for the Future Research Paper