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Contract Negotiations Update - November 4, 2022 - Labour relations update regarding student learning November 7-11

November 04, 2022

​As of 3:50 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022, the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) has not been informed that Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1238 staff intend to report to work on Monday, November 7, 2022. LKDSB believes CUPE 1238 staff are likely to continue to participate in a provincial political demonstration with full withdrawal of service. It is possible the political demonstration will continue beyond Monday and into the week of November 7-11, 2022. As such, important supports for schools would not be in place and the LKDSB will not be able to safely operate our schools. 

In the event the political demonstration continues on Monday, November 7, 2022, all LKDSB schools will continue to be closed to students on Monday, November 7, 2022 and for the duration of the political demonstration. Students will transition to asynchronous remote learning on Monday, November 7. Asynchronous lessons do not include a live component and may be completed when students are available to access the lessons. Teachers will notify students of when they will be available for live support daily.

All teachers have been asked to develop an online presence to facilitate student learning. Students will receive instructions about their transition to asynchronous virtual learning as per their typical means of school communication. We understand that due to families' child care needs or access to devices and reliable Internet service, not all students may be able to participate in asynchronous remote learning. Senior Administration is reviewing this as part of its planning for the week of November 7-11. Due to limitations related to the full withdrawal of services by CUPE staff, LKDSB devices will only be distributed if the school closures are prolonged.

Any students who need access to personal items (e.g. eyeglasses, medications, etc.) left at school, or materials needed to participate in asynchronous remote learning, should contact the classroom teacher to make arrangements through the school office.

LKDSB elementary and secondary virtual learning programming will continue as scheduled, as well as off-site and online learning programs.
 
In our schools and across our system, CUPE represents custodians, early childhood educators, educational assistants, secretaries, library and computer technicians and other school-based and central staff members.

On Thursday, November 3, 2022, the Government of Ontario passed legislation called the Keeping Students in Class Act, which removes the right to a legal strike and legislates a four-year provincial collective agreement for CUPE education workers.

Please continue to monitor the LKDSB website (www.lkdsb.net) regularly for up-to-date information including updates up to and including the morning of Monday, November 7, 2022. If you have a specific question about your child, please contact your school principal. If you have any mental health and well-being concerns about your child, please contact the LKDSB Mental Wellness Team (MentalWellness@lkdsb.net) or contact the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free).

The LKDSB is hopeful for a resolution in a timely manner. The LKDSB will continue to update parents/guardians and all stakeholders as soon as new information becomes available.

Sincerely,
John Howitt
Director of Education
Lambton Kent District School Board​

Contact

Blenheim District High School
163 Chatham St South, PO Box 990, Blenheim, ON, N0P 1A0
519-676-4919
Principal: Elsa Natvik
Bus Zone: 7BUS STATUS

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