The Toronto Star recently reported on a Ministry of Education memo it obtained that asks boards for input into a new regulation that "would provide school boards with the ability to structure their school day schedules for students in kindergarten to Grade 6 (primary and junior divisions) based on local needs and to maximize student learning."
The ministry mentions "new flexibility in the scheduling of recess and lunch for example, schools may choose to offer one longer recess period in place of two shorter ones, while still providing a lunch break," plus the 300 daily minutes of instructional time.
While the impact of the potential changes is unclear (especially as many boards already operate on a "balanced day model" that moved away from two recesses plus a lunch break to offer two breaks instead), the proposed changes plus ministry concern with maximizing student learning warrant discussion about the significant role of recess in all schools.
