With schools behind picket lines for a second week and little hope of a quick settlement, school districts are starting to notify parents that year-end report cards won’t be produced.
Chilliwack school district superintendent Evelyn Novak said parents would be notified by letter this week that report cards would not be issued for students in grades kindergarten to 9.
“We will not be sending formal year-end report cards for students this year because, due to the teacher strike action, we were unable to ensure all information was collected and could be provided for all students,” said Novak.
To be consistent, the district chose not to produce report cards at all.
The majority of students will be promoted to the next grade.
“Where there are concerns around student placement, principals and vice principals will be connecting with parents and talking about setting up a meeting with their school-based team in the fall to ensure we have interventions and supports in place for the student to be successful,” said Novak.
Surrey school district and New Westminster school district have issued similar statements.
Chilliwack school district is, however, holding hope the summer school program will still be able to go ahead this year. Novak said a decision will be made by end of week.
Despite the last-minute decision, “we believe we can still run a summer program,” said Novak.
Education Minister Peter Fassbender has said the partial lockout imposed on teachers will be lifted after year-end administrative days so it does not interfere with summer school programs. But Novak said it’s dependent on BCTF’s next steps.
~with files from Tom Fletcher
