1. What is “a Balanced School Day”?

2. The Balanced School Day is an organizational change within the structure of the school day.

3. It reorganizes instructional time into larger, uninterrupted blocks of time.

4. It also reorganizes recreational and snack time into two larger blocks, instead of 3 (two short and one long)

5. It is not a new concept Many other boards in our province are currently implementing it.

6. Waterloo district – all schools Halton - all but 2 schools Avon-Maitland Grand Erie Trilllium Lakelands Hastings and Prince Edward Simcoe County Algoma District Keewatin-Patricia District Huron Superior Catholic District Lambton Kent District PeelNiagara

7. OCDSB schools as of September 2008 Nearly 75% of our schools

8. Sample Balanced Day Schedule 9:00-3:30 school 9:00-10:20Instructional Time (80 mins) 10:20-11:05Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins) 11:05-1:05Instructional Time (120 mins) 1:05-1:50Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins) 1:50-3:30Instructional time (100 mins)

9. Sample Balanced Day Schedule 8:45-3:15 school 8:45-10:25Instructional Time (100 mins) 10:25-11:10Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins) 11:10-12:50Instructional Time (100 mins) 12:50-1:35Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins) 1:35-3:15Instructional time (100 mins)

10. Sample Balanced Day Schedule 8:00-2:30 school 8:00-9:50Instructional Time (110 mins) 9:50-10:35Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins) 10:35-11:55Instructional Time (80 mins) 11:55-12:40Nutrition Break and recess (45 mins) 12:40-2:30Instructional time (110 mins)

11. Sample Balanced Day Schedule 8:00-2:30 school (2) 8:00-8:10Recess 8:10-10:00Instructional Time (110 mins) 10:00-10:40Nutrition Break and recess (40 mins) 10:40-12:00Instructional Time (80 mins) 12:00-12:40Nutrition Break and recess (40 mins) 12:40-2:30Instructional time (110 mins)

12. What are the benefits? Research indicates the following: Increased on-task learning time for students

13. Fewer transitions during the day

14. Decreased discipline problems on the yard

15. Improved nutrition for students

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

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

18. How Much Instructional Time Does the Balanced School Day Gain? A conservative estimate is 30 minutes per day (dressing, undressing, eating snack during instructional time) This results in a minimum of 24 days over the school year!

19. What is the process if a school is interested in the Balanced School Day? Discussions with staff Discussions with staff Review research and information Review research and information Discussions with School Council Discussions with School Council Discussions with Superintendent Discussions with Superintendent Commitment in time for staffing

20. How do we know if the approach is successful? On-going feedback from staff and community throughout the first year

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

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