Seine River approves another balanced year at Ile des Chênes School

School days are different at Ile des Chênes School, and they are likely staying that way for at least another year after Seine River School Division (SRSD) approved extending the balanced day pilot program started last fall.

The 240 kindergarten to Grade 8 students rescheduled their days this school year to incorporate longer learning blocks, a longer morning recess, and lunch an hour later. Two recesses became one 30-minute break instead at the dual track French immersion and English school.

It was the first time the new schedule was tried at an SRSD school and it was a big hit with students and staff, according to principal Elizabeth Hammond.

SRSD superintendent Colin Campbell said he will have Hammond meet with other principals to give her perspective, and then get feedback on any interest on expanding the balanced day schedule to other schools.

Hammond told the board she and her staff from Ile des Chenes have informally already brought up the balanced day schedule to others.

Campbell said the program still needs provincial approval after trustees approved it.

“They’re busy but we’re confident that will be approved,” said Campbell.

The first advantage Hammond explained to trustees in her presentation to the board was longer classes with fewer breaks means less interruption.

“What we have seen since September is that the longer learning blocks support deeper understanding. So teachers have reported being able to cover more curricular outcomes through different ways; projects and longer assignments because they have a longer block of time to get through those without being interrupted,” said Hammond.

The evidence was plain to see as the principal made her rounds.

“They don’t have to chunk up their lessons as much. For example, if they’re doing a big lesson in science or a project, they don’t have to plan for half an hour, 40 minutes at a time.

“I walked into a classroom today and there was cardboard and glue and things everywhere. But their first morning block, they have up to two hours of time where they can really get into a project,” described Hammond.

This also goes for playtime. New clubs have been introduced during the first nutrition break.

“So students have the opportunity to either go outside and play, or participate in clubs during the breaks,” said Hammond.

She explained the clubs ranged from academic, to leadership, to play and intramural sports.

The only negative feedback from the 26 parents who responded to the survey sent out was around lunch and recess. Hammond said out of the 26 responses, 24 were from early years parents.

It took a while for some to realize when lunchtime was. For others, it was that eating time was too short before outdoor play.

“We sent out an email saying that is not a result of the balanced day and that can be adjusted,” said Hammond.

Longer recess means longer times spent in the cold during winter.

Staff took some time to adjust to planning for the new clubs, but Hammond said it has worked out well. Teachers have also told her they liked having longer periods to collaborate and having fewer transitions that required students to put on and take off winter clothing.