Important Update: Temporary Changes Due to Support Staff Strike

Dear Parents and Guardians,  

We want to inform you of an important update regarding the ongoing Job Action situation in our school division. As you may know, our support staff, including our dedicated educational assistants, are currently on strike. This affects the support services that students rely on, and while some students have been trialling being at school without support, others have been at home during the strike.

As a result of the recent changes to the Ministerial Order, we are required to create a contingency plan that will support a reasonable effort to offer or provide in-person learning options for all students in an inclusive, equitable and fair manner. 

Because of reduced staffing and the inability to hire more substitute teachers, or few temporary teachers, we must create a rotating schedule for some classes to stay home. This will be unique to each school given the enrollment numbers and needs and will allow some of those students who have been at home, to attend in some capacity. When your child is at home due to their class being cancelled, they will have skills practice and/or assignments which the teacher will assign.

We know this is difficult for your family, and we want you to know that this decision was not made lightly. We have considered and sought alternatives that are available in Fort McMurray. We have already suspended ECDP classes, and utilized multiple staff from the Division Office to act as substitute teachers on a daily basis. We have reached out to multiple community businesses and service providers for assistance, but to no avail. The result is that we will use current teachers of cancelled classes to step in and team teach so students with special needs can attend in some capacity.

This plan is set to begin on Monday, March 17th. Your school’s Principal will be calling to discuss plans (with parents of students who are currently at home) over the next few days. They are determining a way to be able to offer support within the school setting for some of those who have been at home. This will be a phased approach due to the staffing limitations, and not all students will return at once as it still presents a safety issue for some students.

Thank you for your understanding, patience and support during this challenging time. We have a meeting back at the table with CUPE on Monday and are hopeful we can still come to a resolution.

Sincerely, 

Annalee Nutter, Superintendent
Fort McMurray Public School Division