What is “a Balanced What is “a Balanced School Day”?School Day”?

The Balanced School Day is an The Balanced School Day is an organizational change within the organizational change within the

structure of the school day.structure of the school day.

It reorganizes instructional It reorganizes instructional time into time into largerlarger, ,

uninterrupted blocks of time.uninterrupted blocks of time.

It also reorganizes recreational and It also reorganizes recreational and snack time into two larger blocks, instead snack time into two larger blocks, instead

of 3 (two short and one long)of 3 (two short and one long)

It is not a new conceptMany other boards in our province

are currently implementing it.

Waterloo district – all schoolsWaterloo district – all schoolsHalton - all but 2 schoolsHalton - all but 2 schoolsAvon-MaitlandAvon-MaitlandGrand ErieGrand ErieTrilllium Lakelands Trilllium Lakelands Hastings and Prince Edward Hastings and Prince Edward Simcoe CountySimcoe CountyAlgoma District Algoma District Keewatin-Patricia District Keewatin-Patricia District Huron Superior Catholic District Huron Superior Catholic District Lambton Kent District Lambton Kent District Peel Peel NiagaraNiagara

OCDSB schools as of OCDSB schools as of September 2008September 2008

Nearly 75% Nearly 75% of our of our schoolsschools

Sample Balanced Day ScheduleSample Balanced Day Schedule

9:00-3:30 school9:00-3:30 school

9:00-10:209:00-10:20 Instructional Time (80 mins)Instructional Time (80 mins)

10:20-11:0510:20-11:05 Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins)Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins)

11:05-1:0511:05-1:05 Instructional Time (120 mins)Instructional Time (120 mins)

1:05-1:501:05-1:50 Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins)Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins)

1:50-3:301:50-3:30 Instructional time (100 mins)Instructional time (100 mins)

Sample Balanced Day ScheduleSample Balanced Day Schedule

8:45-3:15 school8:45-3:15 school

8:45-10:258:45-10:25 Instructional Time (100 mins)Instructional Time (100 mins)

10:25-11:1010:25-11:10 Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins)Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins)

11:10-12:5011:10-12:50 Instructional Time (100 mins)Instructional Time (100 mins)

12:50-1:3512:50-1:35 Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins)Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins)

1:35-3:151:35-3:15 Instructional time (100 mins)Instructional time (100 mins)

Sample Balanced Day ScheduleSample Balanced Day Schedule

8:00-2:30 school8:00-2:30 school8:00-9:508:00-9:50 Instructional Time (110 mins)Instructional Time (110 mins)

9:50-10:359:50-10:35 Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins)Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins)

10:35-11:5510:35-11:55 Instructional Time (80 mins)Instructional Time (80 mins)

11:55-12:4011:55-12:40 Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins)Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins)

12:40-2:3012:40-2:30 Instructional time (110 mins)Instructional time (110 mins)

Sample Balanced Day ScheduleSample Balanced Day Schedule

8:00-2:30 school (2)8:00-2:30 school (2)8:00-8:108:00-8:10 RecessRecess

8:10-10:008:10-10:00 Instructional Time (110 mins)Instructional Time (110 mins)

10:00-10:4010:00-10:40 Nutrition Break and recess (40 mins)Nutrition Break and recess (40 mins)

10:40-12:0010:40-12:00 Instructional Time (80 mins)Instructional Time (80 mins)

12:00-12:4012:00-12:40 Nutrition Break and recess (40 mins)Nutrition Break and recess (40 mins)

12:40-2:3012:40-2:30 Instructional time (110 mins)Instructional time (110 mins)

What are the benefits?What are the benefits?

Research indicates the following:Research indicates the following:

Increased on-task learning time for studentsIncreased on-task learning time for students

Fewer transitions during the dayFewer transitions during the day

Decreased discipline problems on Decreased discipline problems on the yardthe yard

Improved nutrition for studentsImproved nutrition for students

Additional options for extracurricular Additional options for extracurricular activities (2 blocks of time)activities (2 blocks of time)

Fewer problems during inclement Fewer problems during inclement weather (both hot and cold)weather (both hot and cold)

How Much Instructional Time Does the How Much Instructional Time Does the Balanced School Day Gain?Balanced School Day Gain?

A conservative estimate is 30 minutes per A conservative estimate is 30 minutes per day (dressing, undressing, eating snack day (dressing, undressing, eating snack during instructional time)during instructional time)

This results in a minimum of 24 days over This results in a minimum of 24 days over the school year!the school year!

What is the process if a What is the process if a school is interested in the school is interested in the

Balanced School Day?Balanced School Day?

Discussions with staffDiscussions with staff Review research and informationReview research and information Discussions with School CouncilDiscussions with School Council Discussions with SuperintendentDiscussions with SuperintendentCommitment in time for staffingCommitment in time for staffing

How do we know if the approach is How do we know if the approach is successful?successful?

On-going feedback from staff and community On-going feedback from staff and community throughout the first yearthroughout the first year

Looking at models of school Looking at models of school organization is a healthy process for a organization is a healthy process for a school community to engage in. school community to engage in.

Each school community will decide Each school community will decide what is best for it’s learners.what is best for it’s learners.