November 15, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thank you for your ongoing patience and attention to school related matters during Phase 1 of BCTF strike action.   I have had a number of questions from parents about when, where and how you can communicate with teachers about the progress of your children.

The NVTA (North Vancouver Teachers Association) has indicated that teachers will continue to focus on instruction and will continue to assess student progress.  While the Labour Relations Board essential services order provides that teachers need not:

          -Participate in meetings or interviews with parents/guardians outside of instructional time, or

           -Participate in meet the teacher activities outside of instructional time, or

           -Prepare or distribute report card,

             the NVTA has confirmed that teachers may continue to communicate with parents in informal meetings, phone calls and emails to discuss student progress. This includes teacher participation in the upcoming early dismissal days scheduled for 2:00 pm on Tuesday December 6, Wednesday December 7 and Thursday December 8.   As such, if you wish to arrange a meeting or have questions regarding your son’s/daughter’s progress, please contact the appropriate teacher directly.  All teacher contact information can be found on the Dorothy Lynas Web Site at  www.nvsd44.bc.ca/schoolsites/dorothylynas.aspx .  Further, although teachers need not prepare or distribute report cards during Phase 1, they are assessing and evaluating your son/daughter on a regular basis and can provide you with up to date progress status in the curricular areas of instruction.

  If a concern arises regarding communications between teachers and parents, parents may wish to contact the NVTA office (604-988-3224) for clarification, or contact the school principal or vice-principal. 

  As the strike continues, I will provide regular updates to you and encourage you to go to websites listed on the school page for up to date information.  Again, I thank you for your ongoing support to the school and for your patience at this time.

Yours sincerely,   

Joan Martins

Principal