What is the difference between a traditional school schedule and a balanced school day schedule?

• The start and end of the day does not change. It is simply how and when breaks are taken to allow for greater physical activity and more balanced nutrition.
• There are three blocks of instructional time at approximately 100 minutes each
• There are two wellness breaks; two longer breaks instead of two short breaks and one long break.
  • One 45 minute break – The first break:  10:35am - 11:20am
  • One 50 minute break – The second break:  12:55pm - 1:50pm (this would be the best opportunity for children to go home for lunch)

What are the advantages of the balanced school day?

• There is greater opportunity for balanced nutrition and physical activity.
• This approach maximizes teacher-student contact time. There are longer blocks of classroom time and not as many disruptions.
• Less transitions for children - an extended period of play rather than spending time dressing and undressing in the winter months.
• Greater flexibility in scheduling for Music, PE and collegial learning groups.