Balanced School Day

In the 2024/25 School Year - Norquay School is transitioning to a Balanced School Day.

The Balanced School Day is an alternative elementary school schedule that improves learning, promotes healthy eating and encourages daily physical activity.  The schedule provides three large blocks of instructional time and two nutritional breaks.  Each nutritional break includes 15-30 minutes for a healthy, nutritious snack/lunch and 30 minutes for indoor and/or outdoor physical activity.  

All students are able to register for the lunch program.  Lunch is from 1 PM to 2 PM.  For safety reasons families must register for the lunch program.  Students not registered for the lunch program must go home at lunch.  

The following schedule provides an example of a typical Monday to Friday Balanced School Day at Norquay School.

9:00 am – 9:30 am - First Period (Instructional Breakfast 9:00 - 9:15)

9:30 am – 10:00 am - Second Period

10:00 am - 10:30 am - Third Period

10:30 am – 11:00 am - SNACK / RECESS

11:00 am – 11:30 am - Fourth Period

12:00 pm – 12:30 pm - Fifth Period

12:30 pm – 1:00 pm - Sixth Period

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – LUNCH / RECESS

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm - Seventh Period

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm - Eighth Peiord

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm - Ninth Period

What are the benefits of the Balanced School Day?

There are many advantages to the Balanced School Day schedule, including:

1. More uninterrupted instructional time
2. Enhanced learning environment
3. Improved student concentration and energy levels
4. Greater task completion for both students and educators
5. Positive influence on student achievement and health
6. More time for students to relax and enjoy their lunch
7. Improved physical fitness for both students and educators
8. More time for daily physical activity and play
9. Greater use of school gymnasiums and outdoor playground facilities