SHORT WEEK AHEAD FOR STUDENTS, STRIKING TEACHERS

MUSKOKA — Teachers at elementary and high schools will be in the classroom just three days next week — Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Following another week of strikes by elementary teachers, the entire Ontario school system will be shut down next Friday.

That comes after schools will be closed Monday for Family Day.

Yesterday, the four major education unions in Ontario, including the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) will be taking part in a one-day strike February 21.

Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) says that all elementary and secondary schools will be closed, if a labour agreement is not reached.

However, they say in a release that day cares, before and after school programs, and community use of school after-hours programs, are not affected by the strike.

The add there is financial support available to parents of eligible children for each day of school that is missed due to labour disruption. Parents and guardians can visit the Ministry of Education website at www.Ontario.ca/SupportForParents or the dedicated Support for Parents Helpline at 888-444-3770.

Support for Parents Initiative:

There is financial support available to parents of eligible children for each day of school that is missed due to labour disruption.

Parent and guardians of TLDSB are asked to review the Support for Parents FAQ Document from the Government. If you have further questions, visit the Ministry of Education website at www.Ontario.ca/SupportForParents or the dedicated Support for Parents Helpline at 888-444-3770.

Stay Connected:

For more information go to www.muskokatoday.com

Or the school board website: www.tldsb.ca
Its Facebook site: www.facebook.com/TLDSB
Or at its Twitter feed: @TLDSB
As well, you can sign up for its PeachJar – e-Flyer distribution system. Click on the PeachJar button on the homepage of your school website.

And for information about the labour situation across the province, visit the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association’s Labour Relations page.

Elementary teachers will be joined on the picket lines next Friday when high school school teahcers will join a province-wide public school shut-down.