Sunshine Coast School District

Letter to Parents and Guardians

October 11, 2011

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I would like to bring you up-to-date on the current teacher job action. The British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF) has been in a legal strike position since June 2011. Most of the negotiations take place at the provincial level while issues with no financial impact are dealt with by the school district administration and trustees and the Sunshine Coast Teachers' Association (SCTA). While we certainly hope for an early and mutually satisfactory conclusion to the negotiations, there is no indication that they will be over quickly. The provincial representatives have met many times and continue to meet in an effort to resolve the issues on the table.

On the Sunshine Coast I am very pleased to inform you that wonderful educational experiences continue to occur for your children in classrooms every day. Teachers are planning and teaching lessons, assessing and collecting students' achievement marks and addressing the needs of all students. Should your teacher have specific concerns regarding your child, he or she will contact you.

Student safety is a prime concern for all of us. We have maintained effective supervision through the support of school and district administrative staff and other non-teacher employees who have done this work in the past. Teachers are always available for emergency situations at any time.

As we move through this job action I strongly encourage parents to contact their child's teacher(s) on a regular basis. The partnership between teachers and parents is crucial to best meet the needs of our students. While teachers are not completing report cards during the job action, there is no other restriction for parent/teacher contact except that there will not be a formal parent/teacher conference session. Please feel free to contact your child's teacher to arrange for a discussion at a mutually convenient time. Please note that schools will dismiss one hour early on Wednesday, November 23rd and Thursday, November 24th to allow teachers some time during their work day to meet with parents should they wish to.

If you have any further questions regarding your child's education, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher or principal.

Sincerely,

Patrick Bocking, Superintendent of Schools

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