High school students heading back to class on Sept. 8 will see no changes to their educational environment.
On Aug. 20 the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) announced there was a tentative agreement reached at the teacher/occasional teacher central bargaining table with the provincial government and the Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA).
“We’re not commenting on the actual agreement,” OSSTF spokesperson Lori Foote told the Advertiser on Tuesday.
“All I can tell you is that our local leaders have endorsed it and it will be going to our members for ratification.”
Ratification, she said, will take place in September once school is back in session. Pending that decision, all central strike action has been suspended.
OSSTF represents 60,000 members across Ontario.
“Negotiations were challenging for all sides, but it speaks to the dedication and commitment of everyone involved that collaboration prevailed and a tentative agreement was reached,” education minister Liz Sandals said in an email statement.
Correspondence with the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) confirmed Grade 9 orientation in all schools is back on schedule.
“Principals have been asked to place all their activities, orientation events, schedules etc. on their school websites as soon as possible,” Cathy Page-Hill, executive assistant to UGDSB student success lead Carlo Zen, stated in an email.
“Many principals have also sent out Aizan messages (voice call out) to families with information related to back-to-school activities.”
Parents and students should check individual school websites for up-to-date information and scheduling.
