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STA AR | Thursday, June 19, 2014
Bike Jam Starts B SSummer Fun!
Page 10: Town to walk for Katelynn’s family
PPAGE PA A 3
Sweet Strawberries for Dad’s Day
Summer starts early for students By MONIQUE TAMMINGA Aldergrove Star
Summer vacation came abruptly for elementary and middle school students in Langley on Thursday. Teachers in Langley were on strike Friday, participated in the B.C.-wide BCTF scheduled study session on Monday and with hopes of a settlement now dashed from a weekend of negotiating, the B.C. Teachers Federation planned to be on a full-scale strike for the remainder of the school year, starting Tuesday ( June 17). The board of education’s last meeting of the year, also on Tuesday, has been changed to Langley City Hall, to respect the striking teachers. Langley School District said students at the elementary and middle school levels aren’t likely going to receive a report card and if they do, a condensed version may be mailed to them. The Labour Relations Board ruled and an Essential Service Order was sent to school districts Monday, indicating that final grades for Grade 12 students will be provided to administration. A subsequent plan for this information to be provided to students and parents is now underway. The plans, once created, will be communicated to parents. The LRB is still addressing the remaining issue concerning the submission of marks for Grades 10 and 11 students. The Essential Services Order indicates that provincial examinations for Grades 10-12 will proceed as scheduled. District staff will be making arrangements to supervise provincial exams. The order indicates that students will be able to enter and exit the school property, as specific entrances will not be picketed. The school district is awaiting another Essential Services Order specific to support staff (including transportation). This information will be forwarded to families as it becomes available. Teachers were rallying outside Langley MLA Mary Polak’s office on Monday afternoon, following their earlier study session. Picketing is expected outside all school district facilities on Tuesday. Support staff, who are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees and recently agreed to a new contract, will be out of work while picketing takes place.
HARRY HUNT PHOTO
Three year old Ella McGuire celebrated Father’s Day picking strawberries with her dad Brad at Krause Berry Farms in Aldergrove.
School zones don’t apply on strike days By JESSICA PETERS Aldergrove Star
School zones do not apply during strike days, the RCMP have confirmed. The question popped up on social media on Friday, a strike day in the school district. UFVRD’s media liaison Cst. Tracy
Wolbeck confirmed that public school zones that normally require drivers to slow down to 30 km/hr or less on school days only apply on regular school days. Strike days do not fall under that category. “It’s a really good question,” she said, and she had confirmed her answer with
the Fraser Valley traffic services department. But she warned that drivers be aware of whether they’re driving in a public school zone or a private school zone. Private schools that are still in session are not in the midst of a strike, so those areas would still be considered school zones, she warned.
DAN FERGUSON PHOTO
More than 60 teachers and supporters rallied outside the office of Langley MLA Mary Polak on Monday afternoon to protest the ongoing dispute between teachers and the provincial government.
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