The Balanced School Day (BSD) is a different way of organizing the school day schedule. It includes three extended blocks of teaching time, interspersed with two 40-50 minute breaks (instead of a lunch break and two recess breaks). At least 13 Ontario school boards have implemented this new scheduling, and three boards have conducted studies of the Balanced School Day method.

Why are boards doing this? Does it affect kids’ learning? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

• Trisha Woehrle, Research Consultant, Hamilton-Wentworth DSB
• Michele Stairs, History professor at Niagara College, and parent, Niagara Catholic DSB
Moderator: John Hoffman, Writer, Today’s Parent, and parent, Kawartha-Pine Ridge DSB

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