(supplied)

Algoma District School Board Advises Parents on

Status of Report Cards in midst of Legal Strike Action

by Elementary Teachers

The Algoma District School Board is advising parents today that they will be receiving both a Letter of Promotion or Placement and a summary of the marks or information that teachers have provided to school administration.

Noting that the Education Act states that a “teacher shall ensure that report cards are fully and properly completed and processed,” the Board advises parents that the teachers’ withdrawal of service means that they are not writing report card comments or inputting marks electronically for the purpose of producing report cards.  As a result, the Board faces a significant workload and operational challenge and notes that strike action does impact on the Board’s operations.

Through commendable efforts and support from Principals, Vice-Principals, Senior Administration and non-unionized central office staff, parents will be receiving an unofficial report of the marks or information provided by teachers to principals.  However, an official notification of their child’s grade level for September will be provided through a Letter of Promotion or Placement.  Both communications are planned to go home to parents the week of June 22nd provided no significant challenges are encountered.

The teachers’ union, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, has directed that teachers should not provide report card marks to parents or students.  Teachers are, however, maintaining contact with parents during the instructional day regarding students and their progress, so parents will be able to seek clarification as necessary from them.

Board Chair, Jennifer Sarlo, noted that:  “As a School Board, we recognize parents and students value information regarding students’ progress and achievement, so we have tried to balance that with the extra demands required by our administration at this very busy time of year.  We greatly appreciate the significant investment of their time and their shifting of priorities to provide our families with this information.  As a Board, we value our teachers and the positive relationships we have developed.  We hope that in the coming months, progress can be made in central negotiations so we can maintain our focus to provide the best possible learning environments for our students to achieve to their full potential.” 

—