All elementary schools closed Friday December 14 for one day teacher walk out
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
December 11, 2012
GUELPH, Ontario — The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario ETFO has notified the Upper Grand District School Board that they will walk out of the schools on Friday, December 14, 2012 in protest over Bill 115, the Putting Students First Act passed by the provincial government this summer.
As a result, ALL elementary schools across the board will be closed to students. Parents are asked to make alternate care arrangements for their children.
The board has also learned that the teachers will not be picketing board sites or schools during the walk out so anyone who arrives at a school will not have to cross a picket line.
Parents who have children enrolled in Full Day Kindergarten Extended Day programs, before and after school programs run by community use groups, or day care centres in schools have been notified and asked to contact families directly about any program they will be offering on that day.
Letters have been sent home to parents announcing the one day school closures. Schools have messages for their exterior school signs (where they exist) and answering machine messages have been prepared for school telephones. Media outlets have been notified of the closures and the board has set up a hotline at 519-827-2089 that carries the message about the closure. Links to information on the board’s website www.ugdsb.ca have been provided from every elementary school website.
The following will be in effect for Friday December 14, only:
- School busses will not pick up elementary Upper Grand students. Plans are in place in the event that a child inadvertently gets on a bus. Secondary students and those attending Catholic or French-language schools will be transported.
- Contingency plans are in place in case any Upper Grand elementary students arrive at school.
- Secondary schools will be open to students on Friday December 14. (Catholic and French-language schools are also open).
- Non-striking staff are expected to report to their work location for the day.
- Teachers will not be paid for the one day of the walk out.
- Community use is still running. If a group wishes to cancel they will make that decision individually.
Schools will re-open on Monday, December 17, 2012.
For more information:
Maggie McFadzen, Communications Officer
519-822-4420 ext. 725
[email protected]
Mark Weidmark, Administrative Officer – Communications
519-822-4420 ext. 544
[email protected]
Categories: Media Releases