When students return back to school in the fall, the school day for students at Henderson Elementary School may be slightly different. The Board of Trustees approved the school administration’s request to proceed with the next steps in considering the implementation of a balanced school day model similar to the pilot project employed by Whitmore Elementary School during the 2019-2020 school year.
What does this mean for students?
A balanced school day will result in increased instructional time by reducing time lost during transitions. In addition, it will help to address the nutritional needs of a child by eliminating the ‘peaks and valleys’ and allow the children to have a set break time for a nutritious break instead of the quick and convenient snacks during a 15-minute recess break.
How does it work?
Simply put, a balanced school day model balances the school day between instructional time and nutrition/recess breaks. It provides for a significant block of concentrated learning time without interruption. In a traditional school day, during the three recess breaks, at least 10 minutes during each break is lost dressing and undressing, especially in the winter months. However, with two scheduled breaks in a balanced school day, the students spend less time entering and exiting the classroom.
Additionally, the three larger blocks of instructional time during the day provides an opportunity to teachers for planning and lesson continuation if it is required. Teachers will have the flexibility to implement literacy initiatives, including reading, writing, oral and visual communication, with the uninterrupted time block.
On top of the improved learning opportunities, the nutritional and physical activity needs of children are met with the two longer breaks during the day. Research has proven that students who are nutritionally satisfied are better able to concentrate and effectively learn.
The balanced schedule offers an opportunity for children to actually sit down and eat a nutritional meal/snack, rather than eating on the run at recess. After enjoying their snack/lunch, the children then are able to partake of 20-35 minutes of uninterrupted play twice a day. Consequently, the wasted time during the morning and afternoon recess in a traditional school day model which allows for very little time for exercise/play time, is avoided.
What does a balanced school day look like?
A traditional school day, which many people are used to, consists of 90 minutes of instructional time, a 15-minute recess break, 60 minutes instruction, 55 minutes for lunch/recess, 90 minutes instruction, another 15-minute recess, and finally 60 minute instructional time before dismissal at the end of the day. Conversely, a balanced school day begins with a 100 minute teaching block, followed by a nutrition and activity break consisting of 35 minutes total, then a 100 minute teaching block, with a 55 minute nutrition and activity break, and finally a 100 minute teaching block before the dismissal at the end of the day at 3:30 p.m. For students and parents, the big change will be the lunch hour which moves to the time of 12:50 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. instead of the traditional 12:00 p.m. to 12:55 p.m. lunch break.
Nevertheless, even with a later lunch, schools across the province who have implemented a balanced schedule report the students are still feeling energized at the end of the day in addition to being less hungry.
Moreover, with one less transition time per day, there are less behavior incidents resulting in a safer school. The value of nurturing and maintaining positive relationships while building classroom communities with students has no limits.
Moreover, with one less transition time per day, there are less behavior incidents resulting in a safer school. The value of nurturing and maintaining positive relationships while building classroom communities with students has no limits.
Whitmore School has experienced some success with a balanced school day, and the Henderson School administration is hoping to follow their path. The goal is that with the departure from a normal school day to a balanced school day model, the school will not only be “creating a school day that will target successful student achievement, but also potentially assist with “closing any learning gaps” student may experience, especially with the current situation due to COVID-19”.