Please be advised that the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation has announced that rotating strikes throughout the province will commence next week.

In School District No. 53 (Okanagan Similkameen) BCTF members will be withdrawing their services for Wednesday, May 28, 2014 for one day.

While school facilities will remain open under the supervision of school administrators, we will be unable to provide students with instruction or appropriate supervision during this full strike. We are therefore requesting that parents keep their children home on Wednesday, May 28th, 2014. There will be no bus service on this day.

Early learning programs and evening programs that utilize school facilities may be disrupted due to picket lines. Please contact your program provider for confirmation.

The BCTF has indicated that further extension of the rotating job action will depend on the progress of bargaining. If we receive notice of any future planned school closures, we will inform you as soon as possible through local media, our website at www.sd53.bc.ca and through letters sent home with students. Local schools will also post information on local websites and social media.

It is the sincere hope of the Board of Education for School District No. 53 that this dispute will be resolved quickly through a negotiated settlement and that normal school operations will resume as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we will do our utmost to keep you informed in a timely manner.

Marieze Tarr, Chair
School District No. 53 (Okanagan Similkameen)