By Christopher Sun
The Chronicle
It is report card season, but none will be issued as B.C. teachers continue their job action against the province.
B.C. teachers have been without a contract since June 30 and as part of phase one of their job action that started in September, teachers have refused doing administration work. However, that doesn’t mean parents and guardians will be in the dark as to how their kids are doing.
“They can get their marks from the teachers,” explained Donna Reimer, Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district spokeswoman. “We are asking the [Labour Relations Board] to re-look into it.”
The B.C. Public School Employers Association, which represents all school districts, has asked the LRB to reconsider their position in allowing teachers to not issue report cards as part of their job action. A ruling is expected at the end of the November. Letters are being sent to parents and guardians regarding this.
Reimer said teachers are grading students, but just not issuing it formally in a report card. She is not aware of any complaints from parents, guardians or students, regarding the situation. She added that students in Grade 12 wanting their marks for scholarship or post-secondary school applications can ask their teachers for a letter detailing their marks at this time.
Ladysmith Secondary School parent advisory committee chair Richard Hill said he hasn’t heard complaints either, but it may be too early as parents are just receiving notice that there won’t be report cards issued at this time.
“Parents can contact the teachers,” Hill explained, who has a son in Grade 10. “The emails of every teacher were supplied to parents.”
“It might be a good thing for parents to initiate one-on-one contact with teachers.” Hill added, as many parents and guardians never meet their children’s teachers nowadays.
Hill also said that relations between the PAC, teachers and administrators at Ladysmith Secondary has been very positive and parents understand that the teacher’s job action is directed to the province, not the students.
“As a PAC, we have not received a significant input from parents on any aspect of the job action because of the good climate there,” he said.
