William Konkin Elementary School is making an adjustment to its daily schedule starting this Fall by shifting its recess timing. 

In the new schedule, lunch will now precede recess. The revised timetable has students eating lunch from 12:15 p.m. to 12:35 p.m., followed by recess from 12:35 p.m. to 12:55 p.m. Afternoon classes will commence promptly at 1:00 p.m.  This adjustment is a slight change from the previous schedule, where recess was held before lunch.

鈥淭he school is confident this will be a positive change for students and staff this fall,鈥� SD 91 Superintendent Mike Skinner said.

The decision aligns with findings from a 2017 Science Daily research article shared by the school on social media, which highlights that lunch timing directly affects students鈥� food choices and physical activity levels. The study, citing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), indicates that scheduling recess before lunch can help reduce food waste and promote better eating habits among children. Additionally, students who eat before they play tend to consume more vegetables and engage in more physical activity.

鈥淭he school wanted to adopt better practices that promote student wellness and this why the decision was made to change the lunch and recess schedule for the 2024-2025 school year,鈥� Skinner said.

To accommodate the new schedule, William Konkin Elementary will welcome an additional teacher next year and maintain the current number of lunch and bus supervisors, ensuring that students will continue to receive adequate supervision.

The Parent Advisory Council (PAC), teachers, and CUPE staff support the change, and the Principal is not aware of any concerns since the announcement, Skinner added.