School day will shorten as part of teachers’ strike

NORTH OKANAGAN – Changes at local schools this week include the elimination of recess and reduction of the school day as part of teachers’ strike action.

Superintendent of school district 83 Glen Borthistle says phase 1 strike action is slated to begin Wednesday, and will mean shaving 15 minutes off the school day, and cutting recess for students at elementary and middle schools.

“While noon-hour supervision will be provided by each school's lunch hour supervisors and administration, recess breaks require significant involvement of teaching staff,” Borthistle said in a press release.

During phase 1 strike action, teachers are not required to perform duties that have been declared non-essential by the Labour Relations Board, including the supervision of students before and after school, at lunch and during recess.

The school district will decided Tuesday to shorten the day and cut recess.

During phase 1, schools remain open and there will be no picket lines.

“It is also important for you to know that teachers will be taking attendance, marking and assessing students, completing report cards, communicating with parents and participating in volunteer extracurricular activities,” Borthistle said.

The district will keep parents informed about this situation through school newsletters, the district website and the district Facebook page. 

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.