Instructional Time

Definitions

Instructional time is defined as time scheduled for purposes of instruction, examinations, and other student activities where direct student-teacher interaction and supervision are maintained. 

Instructional time of 475 hours for Kindergarten does not include: Teacher Conventions, professional development days, teacher planning days, staff meetings, statutory and school authority-declared holidays, lunch breaks, recesses, time taken for the registration of students. 

Instructional time for Grade 1 to 9 does not include Teacher Convention, professional development days, parent-teacher interview days, teacher planning days, staff meetings, statutory and school authority-declared holidays, lunch breaks, breaks between classes, recesses, time taken for the registration of students, or extracurricular activities.

Policy

1. INSTRUCTIONAL TIME 
   1. Kindergarten students shall have access to a minimum of 475 hours of instructional program activities for each child in a centre during a fiscal year, or at least 22 in-home visits for one-and-a-half hours duration or more (child must be in attendance) to each child in an in-home program during the fiscal year, or the equivalent in a combination of centre hours and in-home visits.        A maximum of 35 hours may be used as instructional time for activities such as:
      
      • "transitional" home visits that promote the transition of children from home to school and encourage communication and relationship building
      • staggered entry
      • small group days
      • child-parent-teacher conferences for demonstration of child learning (child must be in attendance).
        
        
   2. Elementary students shall be provided with 950 hours of instructional time per year.
      
      
   3. Junior high students shall be provided with 950 hours of instructional time per year.
      
      
   4. Senior high students shall have access to 1000 hours of instructional time per year.
      
      
2. HOURS OF OPERATION
   The Principal shall organize the instructional day to meet the programming needs of the students and the student transportation requirements.
   
   
3. RECESS PERIODS
   1. A recess of at least 15 minutes shall be provided for each Early Childhood Services class.
      
      
   2. A recess of at least 15 minutes shall be provided both morning and afternoon for elementary students.

References