The Balanced Day
Schedule
Osprey Woods Public School
What is a balanced day?
Three extended blocks of uninterrupted learning time
Two 40 minute breaks
20 minutes play time/20 minutes eating time
Originated in Peel, but many boards have adopted this model
96 Peel schools on a balanced day
Comparison
CURRENT TIMETABLE
PROPOSED TIMETABLE
Start time is 8:30 am
End time is the same
Tentative Start time is 8:40 am
End time is the same
300 instructional minutes
300 instructional minutes
4 short learning blocks with 3
breaks
3 longer learning blocks with 2
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
Rationale
extensive Loss of learning time (especially
during the winter) and due to added snack time
Student Safety
Breaks
Both breaks will include 20 minutes outdoor play
time and 20 minutes eating time
Benefits
Potential for Increased student achievement through increased uninterrupted learning
time and decreased transition time
increased concentration
improved hallway behaviour
manageable amount of recess time (developmentally appropriate)
healthier eating habits
more time for focused learning
reduction of interruptions
Secondary Benefits
Improved student safety due to greater
supervision (teachers and lunchroom
supervisors at all times)
Improved climate in school
planning and supervision (teachers)
Other Considerations
School Lunch program can still run (e.g., Pizza
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
Proposed Balanced Timetable
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
1
8:40 – 9:00
2
9:00– 9:40
100 minutes
3
9:40 – 10:20
10:20 – 10:40
10:40 – 11:00
Energy Break (Outdoor Play first 20/Eat last 20)
4
11:00– 11:40
5
11:40 – 12:20
120 Minutes
6
12:20 – 1:00
1:00 – 1:20
1:20 – 1:40
7
1:40 – 2:20
8
2:20 – 3:00
Energy Break (Outdoor Play first 20/Eat last 20)
80 Minutes
Day 5
Parent Feedback Survey
Tomorrow you will receive a survey
Please complete and return to school by
Monday February 23, 2015
Questions?
References
People for Education http://www.peopleforeducation.ca/faq/what-isthe-balanced-day/
Waterloo Region School Board: Report to the Community, 2005
Trisha Woehrle, Susan Fox and Brenda Hoskin The HamiltonWentworth District School Board, An Examination of the Balanced
School Day Schedule.
http://www.hwdsb.on.ca