βThe Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) has been notified that on Monday, January 13, 2020, members of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) will escalate the legal strike action, involving a partial withdrawal of services, to include field trips and extracurricular activities scheduled outside the regular school day, unless a settlement is reached prior to this date.
The LKDSB continues to work with ETFO to determine exactly how the strike action will impact its schools. Parents/guardians should expect communication from the school regarding details about extracurricular activities and field trips, including fee reimbursement in the event a field trip is cancelled. Decisions regarding field trips and extracurricular activities will be made on a case-by-case basis. Parents/guardians can also follow-up with the school for more information.
Please note: Based on the information to date, all LKDSB elementary schools will be open to students on Monday, January 13, 2020 and will remain open as scheduled. Any notification of a potential school closure to students will be communicated in advance and posted on the LKDSB website.
The LKDSB is also aware ETFO has indicated its members will participate in a legal strike, involving a full withdrawal of services, on a rotating basis at school boards across the province, unless a settlement is reached prior to January 17, 2020. In the event a legal strike, involving a full withdrawal of services, is planned to directly impact the LKDSB and results in school closures, please be assured the LKDSB will provide parents/guardians with advance notification to assist with planning for alternative child care arrangements.
Contract negotiations between the Ministry of Education, the Ontario Public School Boards' Association and ETFO are ongoing and the LKDSB is hopeful a fair agreement can be reached.
Please be assured that the LKDSB's top priority is maintaining caring, safe and positive learning environments for students.
Please continue to visit the LKDSB website regularly for update-to-date information regarding contract negotiations: www.lkdsb.net
Download a copy of Director Howitt's letter to parents/guardians: Jan10_Parent_Guardian_Letter_FINAL.pdf