From the Bluewater District School Board:

"This past Friday, the Bluewater District School Board sent a letter to update parents/guardians on the one-day full withdrawal of services that the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (OSSTF) is planning across the province on Wednesday, December 4, 2019.

In Bluewater District School Board, OSSTF members include secondary teachers and education workers (educational assistants, early childhood educators, office professionals and technicians, and professional student services personnel).

Due to the wide range of critically important functions performed by these various employee groups, a full withdrawal of services would have a significant impact on the operation of both our secondary and elementary schools. Unfortunately, we feel that this would place us in a compromised position concerning our ability to ensure the safety and well-being of all students within our care.

For this reason, we have determined that, unless a provincial collective agreement is reached by that time, ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS in Bluewater District School Board will be closed to students on Wednesday, December 4, 2019.

Elementary extracurricular activities/events and field trips planned for that day will be rescheduled if possible. School based co-op placements will be cancelled. There will be no bus transportation for Bluewater District School Board students. Before and after/extended day school programs will be cancelled. Please note that third party child care centres will remain open, and Community Education evening programs will continue to run.

All elementary and secondary schools will be open as usual to students, with regular classes and activities resuming on Thursday, December 5, 2019.

Please note that should a provincial agreement be reached with OSSTF prior to Wednesday, December 4, 2019, all Bluewater District School Board schools will be open as usual on that day. The public will be advised accordingly.

As always, we are committed to sharing any further updates with parents/guardians as new information becomes available.

We apologize for the inconvenience and frustration that this may cause for our parents/guardians and families. It is our hope that a provincial agreement will be reached soon, and we truly appreciate the patience and understanding that parents/guardians have shown as we work through these difficult circumstances.

Please monitor this page for ongoing updates regarding labour negotiations and their potential impact on Bluewater District School Board schools. Information will be posted as it becomes available."