The Boundary District Teachers’ Association (BDTA) would like to thank the parents and students of School District 51 for their continued support and understanding as teachers work through Phase One of their current job action.
Teachers understand that parents are concerned about their child’s education and have structured Phase One so that students are the focus.
Much of the time that traditionally has been put into extra administrative tasks, meetings and paper work is now being spent preparing lessons and working with students. Due to this, teachers have more time and energy for the children in their classes.
It is now approaching the time that formal report cards would be coming home but due to job action, things will be a little different this year.
In July, the employer’s association (bargaining for the government) accepted the Labour Relations Board ruling that during job action, teachers are not required to prepare report cards.
In fact, no student assessment data will be sent to the school office, except Grade 12 marks required for graduation, post-secondary applications and scholarship purposes.
Although many parents and students place a high value on report cards, these are not essential for learning. Regular, daily feedback from teachers outlining student strengths, as well as areas of concern, will do more for learning than any formal report card.
Although teachers will not be submitting marks to administration, they will be maintaining communication with parents about student progress.
Informal communication can be initiated by the teacher, student or parent and can occur in many forms. Some examples are phone calls, meetings, newsletters, use of a daily agenda, notes home, assignments to be sent home and signed or teacher e-mail.
Teachers choose communication strategies based on grade level, student need and personal preference.
Recently, it was learned that the government has ordered school districts to send home report cards in November even though teachers are not required to prepare them.
The result will be an immense waste of paper throughout the province as multiple page reports go to every student with little to no information included.
Teaching administrators will include their grades and comments but the remaining pages will be blank.
Teachers are now asking parents to be flexible with regards to how student progress is communicated. Receiving a blank report card may be a little confusing but it will have no bearing on the academic future of any student.
Parents are reminded that if they have any questions regarding the progress of their child, please contact his/her teachers. They will be happy to hear from you.
For more information, please contact Norm Sabourin, president of the Boundary District Teachers’ Association at 250-442-3330.