Open letter to parents and guardians:
Firstly, I would like to welcome you all back to a new school year - a year where we will continue to provide worldclass education and fulfill our ongoing commitment to both you and your children.
Secondly, as you may know, the BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF) is in its first phase of job action.
During this time, educational programs will not be compromised and schools will be in session with teachers fulfilling all teaching duties.
However, teachers will not be performing administrative duties as determined by the Labour Relations Board under the Essential Services Act.
This includes formally providing report cards, participating in administrative meetings (unless under emergency circumstances), and supervising students outside of instructional hours (before school, after school and recess).
Ensuring the wellbeing and learning of our students is the highest priority for us and provisions have been made to continue our high standards of care and safety.
The District has provided a roster of administrative and management personnel who will assist elementary administrators in recess supervision as part of our commitment to ensuring student safety.
The Richmond School District has a longstanding relationship of mutual respect and professionalism with our teaching and support staff and our goal is to continue such a relationship during and after times of job action.
We will continue to provide up-todate information through the help of our local media, on our Twitter site at www. twitter.com/RichmondSD38, on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ RichmondSD38, and on our website at www.sd38.bc.ca.
For information regarding the contract in dispute, you may want to visit the BC Public School Employers Association (BCPSEA) website at www.bcpsea.bc.ca.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your school or this specific situation, please do not hesitate to contact your principal.
As always, we are wishing you and your children a successful and happy school year.
Monica Pamer Superintendent of Schools, Richmond
