Softball tourney weekend a hit A18 JUNE 18, 2014
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100 MILES WITH SMILES
Kickin' it in 100 Mile House A16
Carole Rooney photo
When a sunny day appeared recently, District of 100 Mile House public works staff members Kai Peters, left, Hannah Butcher, Kelly Diether and Kevin Christenson planted a garden plot at 100 Mile House Fire-Rescue depicting a giant “100” in silver foliage between the flowers.
District office wants local art B3
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BCTF and BCPSEA divide remains Teachers will help supervise exams, provide Grade 12 marks, percentages
Carole Rooney Free Press
The ongoing maelstrom of labour unrest and school disruptions affecting education in the province has spiralled further downward with full strike action beginning June 17. Meanwhile, the Labour Relations Board (LRB) has granted an Essential Services Order requested by the B.C. Public School Employer’s Association (BCPSEA) to mandate teachers to invigilate (supervise) Grade 10-12 provincial examinations wherever administrators cannot easily do so. School District #27 schools superintendent Mark Thiessen says the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) notified all school districts last week that they would withdraw teaching services beginning the day before the strike, as a “study session” day on June 16. Due to the full withdrawal of teaching services, schools considered June 13 as the last day for this school year, he explains. Thiessen adds students were encouraged to clean out their desks and lockers and take home all of their school supplies. “While there is a possibility that a provincial
agreement could be reached, and schools could be back in session before the end of June, schools are planning as though students will not be back at school this year.” Noting an exception to the absence of all teachers will be made for the provincial exams, which will be held on their regularly scheduled dates and times. “Buses will be running for all students taking provincial exams over the next two weeks.” Thiessen explains students will be able to enter the main entrances of secondary schools during exam times without the need to cross any picket lines. Provincial grades 10-12 exams will see management supervising the provincial exams when sufficient staff is available at the school, or a nearby school. The LRB ruling states the local teachers’ associations and school districts must work out the staff levels required for this, over and above what management staff can provide. The issue of grades 10 and 11 exams is not yet resolved, but at this point, the LRB is not requiring teachers to compile or submit grades 10 and 11 marks. The ruling points out the employer did
not pursue marks, comments, or report cards for grades K–9 in its application. Thiessen says community user groups no longer have access to SD27 school fields and facilities as of June 17. Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers’ Association president Murray Helmer says for the South End, where fewer administration resources exist, the union is working with SD27 to determine the number of teachers that will be needed to supervise exams. “For Grade 12 students, teachers provide administration with final grades and percentages only, including Grade 12 students taking lower grade courses.” The LRB also ruled teachers must submit final grades for Grade 12 students, who will receive their report cards by mail, Helmer adds. He notes teachers are not required to do the data entry work for or provide report card comments. “Grade 12 students will get a letter grade and a percentage, and that will be supplied by the teachers to the administration [for data entry].” Continued on A12