The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) have provided notice that Bluewater District School Board will be included in the next round of provincial strike action planned for Friday, January 24, 2020.

On this date, ETFO teachers will be participating in a one-day full withdrawal of services, which will significantly impact the operation of our elementary schools.

In order to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, we have determined that, unless a provincial collective agreement is reached by that time, schools will be closed to elementary students only on Friday, January 24, 2020. Please note that secondary exams, which are scheduled to begin on this date, will not be impacted by the ETFO strike.

Third party child care centres will remain open, however, parents/guardians should be prepared for the possibility of crossing picket lines. Community Education evening programs will continue to run.

All elementary schools will be open as usual to students, with regular classes and activities resuming on Monday, January 27, 2020.

In the event of a provincial agreement being reached with ETFO prior to Friday, January 24, 2020, all Bluewater District School Board elementary schools will be open to students as usual on that day. We will advise you accordingly.

(This update has been posted on the Bluewater District School Board labour web page at http://www.bwdsb.on.ca/parents/Labour_Updates.  An accompanying parent letter can also be found on the web page.}