As parents scramble to find care for their kids, day camps being offered through both Langleys’ recreation departments are full, with more camps opening up in the coming weeks.
The teachers’ strike could drag on through September, and the Township and City are trying to keep up.
The Township still has limited spaces available at Walnut Grove and Willoughby community centres for this week.
It has also opened camps for the rest of September at W.C. Blair, Walnut Grove and Willoughby community centres. Each of these week-long camps offer before and after care.
Langley City’s Strike Camp is full for this week.
There is limited space available for next week and the City is hosting another week-long camp starting Sept. 15.
However, the camp is limited to 24 kids and all the camps are being held at Al Anderson Pool.
Camps there run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with extended hours offered as early as 7 a.m. drop-off and 6 p.m. pick-up.
Those who are interested can call Douglas Rec Centre at 604-514-2865.
Xtreme Dance and Cheer Studio offered art/theatre and tumble camps to the first 120 kids who registered.
The camp filled up fast. A second week was offered and is now almost full.
The studio is planning another camp for week three if needed.
Meanwhile, there is no bargaining underway between the striking B.C. Teachers Federation and the B.C. Public School Employers Association.
Langley school superintendent, Suzanne Hoffman, issued a letter to parents on Monday, after talks between the two sides ended.
She said in the letter it is likely there will be no classes this week.
Here is her letter:
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As you will have heard through the media, mediator Vince Ready has declared an impasse in the negotiations between the provincial government and the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation. The District anticipates that Langley schools will continue to be behind picket lines on Tuesday and quite probably for the remainder of the week.
I realize that this news is incredibly disappointing as this is the time of year when families and school district staff eagerly anticipate and prepare for the beginning of a new school year.
Tomorrow, principals and vice-principals will be in schools in the event you need to reach them or if you have questions of them.
They will not be in a position to supervise students so I respectfully request that parents do not send their children to school.
As more information becomes available it will be shared with you; parents are also encouraged to continue monitoring the District’s website and social media sites for further updates.
I look forward to writing the letter that shares positive news about the upcoming school year and the educational opportunities awaiting your children.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Hoffman
Superintendent of Schools
The school district’s website is sd35.bc.ca.
