School District 53 issued an update on the teachers strike to parents and guardians of Similkameen Elementary Secondary School and Cawston Primary school students on Friday, September 5.
The communication advised parents to continue to make alternate arrangements for their children as the strike continues, noting that moderator Vince Ready had recently declared an impasse in the talks.
“We deeply regret that there has not yet been a resolution to the provincial labour dispute with the BC Teachers Federation and we have been unable as we normally would do,” the update said.
School District 53 has also been receiving calls regarding assessing of the $40 per day offered by the province to assist in child care for public school students under the age of 13. The Ministry of Education has established a website with parent information at: http:bcparentinfo.ca/
This site contains a link to register for the Ministry of Finance’s “Temporary Education Support for Parents”. This initiative is being managed at the provincial level and the website contains all of the necessary details. The application form asks for the students PEN number (Personal Education Number) which can typically be found on a report card.
Those with internet access can call 1-877-387-3332 to apply for the daily stipend.
Further updates and information can be accessed at School District 53’s website at: www.sd53.bc.ca