At the October monthly meeting of COPACS Superintendent Dr. Kevin Elder and Saanich Teachers Association President Sean Hayes responded to parents' questions around the recent teacher job action.
-How will the job action affect meetings for children with Individual Education Plans (IEP)?
In general, the case manager will handle all IEP meetings. The LRB has ruled that administrators will be in meetings when there is an issue with the police, a custody issue or a legitimate safety issue. Sean Hayes clarified that an administrator can attend the meeting if he/she provides a direct service to the student. The teachers are also encouraged to continue to file reports so the administration can read them, and they can communicate with the administrators at all times.
- How will the job action affect the report cards for grade 12 students, who need transcripts to apply for higher education institutions and scholarships?
The teachers will issue grades for the transcripts. The teachers are still doing assessments and record keeping and the information will not be lost. Many teachers are recording the grades in the centralized system as usual.
- How will the job action affect parent-run programs?
The teachers can interact with parent groups. They will not be collecting money or participating in fundraisers outside of regular class time.Teachers may work on specific activities that have a fundraising purpose if it is part of the regular curriculum and the activities are during the regular class time. They can for example make crafts that are destined for sale with the students. They can practice songs or pieces for an assembly, but they will not organize the assembly, unless they get release from teaching for an equivalent amount of time.
For more information on how the job action may affect your child, please visit the following sites:
1) SD63 website: www.sd63.bc.ca, click on “Message to Parents Re: Teacher Job Action” on the top left side.
2) The BCTF website: www.bctf.ca
3) The BCPSEA website: www.bcpsea.bc.ca
4) Janet Steffenhagen’s blog at the Vancouver sun:http://blogs.vancouversun.com/category/staff/news/education/report-card