York Region’s Catholic schools to stay open if OSSTF strikes Dec. 4

But YRDSB secondary schools will close

Yorkregion.com
December 3, 2019
Dina Al-Shibeeb

York Catholic District School Board will be "open and classes will operate as usual" even if Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation members go through with their one-day strike on Wednesday.

That's primarily because teachers in the Catholic board are members of Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, which doesn't have a one-day strike planned.

"School bus transportation for eligible students will also continue," YCDSB director of education Ab Falconi said in an email to parents.

Some YCDSB staff are members of OSSTF, but they include psychologists, occupational therapists, behavioural specialists and speech pathologists, Falconi said.

Even though Catholic schools won't be affected by the Dec. 4 strike, OECTA members are inching closer to a legal strike position provincewide. They requested a "no-board" report on Nov. 29, which can take a few days to be issued.

"Parents are encouraged to contact their local school principal with issues or questions specific to their school," Falconi said.

Public high schools to close

Public high schools in York Region do, however, appear headed for a one-day shutdown.

York Region District School Board tweeted Nov. 29 that the schools would close Dec. 4 in the event of a strike.

YRDSB also sent a notice saying, “If the strike proceeds” then secondary schools will be closed to students for the day.

“Please do not send students to secondary school on December 4,” it said. However, “elementary schools will not be affected and will remain open.”

Meanwhile, schools will resume Thursday, Dec. 5.

On Nov. 27, protesters briefly blocked Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce from leaving a Toronto school.

They expressed anger at cuts being made by the Ford government.

Lecce earlier that day made an announcement over the government's new steps to curb bullying in schools. He issued five new measures, including training for teachers on bullying.

The minister also said he would do his best reach a resolution to stop any strike from happening.