HRSB prepares for possible job action, letter to parents explains what to expect
Posted Nov 30, 2016 11:30:26 PM.
Last Updated Dec 1, 2016 08:07:10 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – The Superintendent of Schools at the Halifax Regional School Board has sent a letter to parents informing them of changes to school operations should public school teachers continue with a planned work-to-rule campaign set to begin on Monday.
Teachers are in a legal strike position on Friday and the Nova Scotia Teachers Union has indicated teachers will partially withdraw from non-essential services Dec. 5, which Elwin Leroux said in a letter to parents Wednesday, “will have an impact on the daily operations of schools.”
Leroux said the focus during any job action will be to ensure “schools are open, students are safe and learning continues.”
For parents of students who walk to school or rely on their own transportation, Leroux reminds them yard supervision will only begin 20 minutes before the start of class and end 20 minutes after, so parents are being asked to not drop off students outside of these times.
Leroux said buildings will not be open and there will be no supervision for students outside of these times.
Breakfast and hot lunch programs may be impacted within schools, but Leroux writes any changes will be communicated to parents by the school, while the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation has decided to suspend all school sports during any job action, “including games, tournaments and practices.”
EXCEL programs and private day care programs that operate in schools are not expected to be impacted and will continue, according to the letter from Leroux, who is asking parents to check the Halifax Regional School Board continually for updates.
“I would encourage you to contact the principal if you have questions that are school-specific,” Leroux wrote in the letter.
Parents will also continue to get email and letter updates.
The latest round of contract talks between the province and the NSTU broke off last Friday with no new talks scheduled before Friday’s strike deadline.
The NSTU has never had a strike in its 125-year history.
