Teachers’ strike will affect some summer school programs

NEWS/ SCHOOLS — At least some summer school programs are likely to be affected by the teachers’ strike, says superintendent Terry Sullivan.

The school year officially ends Friday but the B.C. Teachers Federation has said it will continue picketing into the summer.

The Kamloops-Thompson Teachers Association told the Kamloops Interior Summer School of Music today it won’t picket third-party groups using schools.

However, summer programs run by the school district are not exempted.

In a voicemail update to parents Wednesday night, Sullivan explained that an application to the Labour Relations Board to have summer programs declared an essential service “is very narrow in scope and will not cover a number of our programs.”

He said he would update parents on the status of those programs as soon as the LRB decision is made.

Meanwhile, all provincial exams for Grades 10, 11 and 12 will be marked and uploaded to the Ministry of Education. He said students can view their exam marks in August on the ministry’s website using their PEN numbers.

Students who didn’t pass an exam, or missed one, can write in August. The August schedule is posted on the district’s website.

Sullivan said Grade 12 transcripts will be issue by the ministry at the normal time in August. “Grade 12 Passport to Education recipients, along with the total amount awarded for their high school years, will be available the last week in August.”

Passport information for Grade 11 students who will be in Grade 12 in September won’t be available until the fall, he said.