School divisions in Medicine Hat offer communication during teachers strike

Medicine Hat Public School Division superintendent Tracy Hensel said in an interview Friday, that support staff is still in place, and if there are further questions to contact the school division.

“There’s a communications email address families can submit any questions that they may have, and we’ll answer those as quickly as we can,” Hensel said.

“Students will have access to Google Classroom and some of their other tools online. Teachers will not be providing any extra materials for them at that time,” she added.

“The hope is that this is a short term strike and we can get back at it immediately and then look after those learner outcomes because the learner outcomes do have to be covered.”

Hensel said they have contingency planning for five day cycles at a time.

“We’ve got our five day plans for this week. Our support staff will still be at work,” Hensel said.

“We will be running some of our licensed programming in our schools, our play and learn for some of our kindergarten students,” she added.

“We will be ready for students to return immediately once everything is settled.”

The Alberta government has announced supports for parents during a strike, including a Parent Support Payment at $150 per week for children 12 and under starting at the end of October.

A Parent Learning Tool Kit with curriculum resources was also developed by the government.

During the labour action, all teachers, vice-principals, and principals will not be available at any of the schools.

Daily school bus operations will will be suspended.

Prairie Rose Public Schools said in a release to parents that any third-party, privately operated programs may continue where possible without the involvement of teachers.

“We recognize that this situation may cause stress and uncertainty. Our team will continue to evaluate and assess our contingency plan in relation to the duration of labour action and how best to support students. Please know that our priority is to provide clear, timely, and transparent communication through this process,” a statement from Prairie Rose Public School read.

The Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education said in a statement that buildings will be occupied by support staff reporting to work daily, but schools will be closed to the general public, with the exception of parents picking up and dropping off their kids from early learning programs at elementary schools.

by Jesse Gill

School divisions in Medicine Hat offer communication during teachers strike

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