Abbotsford School District is the sixteenth school district in B.C. to cancel recess breaks as part of continuing job action induced by the BC Teachers’ Federation.
Middle and elementary school students are affected will not receive their breaks until a settlement has been reached. School officials say teachers do not have the time to manage both their job action and recess supervision responsibilities.
“Since Stage 1 job action was initiated on April 23rd, the district has deployed its management staff to provide supervision at those times,” said Superintendent Kevin Godden. “As job action continues, this creates a challenge for these district staff who are away from their important responsibilities for significant portions of the day. This ongoing interruption to their work has compromised the ability of our district to operate smoothly.”
“This measure is being taken to ensure that each school can adequately supervise students, ensure safety, and to secure the ongoing operation of other district services.”
The cancellation of recess in the school district goes into effect on Monday, May 12 and students will start their day 15 to 20 minutes later to compensate.
“Please arrange to have your child arrive at school close to the school starting time and to leave immediately after dismissal, since there will be limited supervision of students at the school during these times,” Godden writes, in his letter to parents.
High school students are not affected and will retain their recess breaks for the time being.
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