The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) have provided notice that Phase 5 of their strike protocol will be in effect as of Monday, February 3, 2020. This will include rotating strikes and a province wide strike for all ETFO members next week.

We have learned that Bluewater District School Board will be part of the rotating one-day full withdrawal of services on Monday, February 3, 2020, and the province wide strike scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2020, if central agreements are not reached by Friday, January 31, 2020.

In order to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, we have determined that, unless central agreements are reached by this Friday, Bluewater District School Board schools will be closed to elementary students only on Monday, February 3, 2020 and Thursday, February 6, 2020.

Please note that third party child care centres will remain open on these dates, and Community Education evening programs will continue to run.

If central agreements are reached with ETFO prior to this Friday, all Bluewater District School Board elementary schools will be open to students as usual on the above dates. We will advise you accordingly.

It has also been brought to our attention that, in addition to the work-to-rule strike protocols already in place, ETFO members will not be participating in extracurricular activities at any time starting on Monday, February 3, 2020.

source: media release, BWDSB