Member of CUPE and supporters rally outside MPP Andrew Dowie's officer in Windsor, November 4, 2022. (Photo by Maureen Revait) Member of CUPE and supporters rally outside MPP Andrew Dowie's officer in Windsor, November 4, 2022. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
Chatham

Ongoing CUPE contract dispute prompts schools to move to remote learning

A strike by education support workers continues Monday and as a result, most school buildings will be closed across Lambton-Kent.

The Lambton-Kent District School Board (LKDSB), the St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB) and CSC Providence will all move to online and remote learning this week.

Officials at the SCCDSB issued a notice on Friday saying that parents and students who need technology for virtual learning can visit their home schools during regular school hours (except for during the school lunch period) to pick up Chromebooks. Any personal items or learning materials (textbooks, musical instruments, eyeglasses, clothing, etc.) that were left at the school on Thursday last week can also be picked up at the schools today. Students in the SCCDSB will then have a live Google meet with students and the classroom teacher on Tuesday and online learning will take place on Wednesday with attendance taken at that time.

At the LKDSB, students will be transitioning to asynchronous remote learning on Monday. The board says the "asynchronous lessons do not include a live component and may be completed when students are available to access the lessons." Teachers have also been asked to develop an online presence to facilitate student learning and they will notify students when they will be available for live support daily. The LKDSB said devices will only be distributed if the school closures are prolonged.

Learning at CSC Providence will continue remotely on Monday in real-time with teaching staff for students from kindergarten to Grade 12.

Specific plans for online learning vary somewhat between the boards, so parents should check in with their local board to find out what the plan is for their school.

Both Chatham Christian School and Sarnia Christian School will still be open as usual for in-person learning.

Meantime, striking CUPE workers will be hitting the picket lines again Monday.

In Chatham, they are expected to gather outside of MPP Trevor Jones' office on Heritage Road. CUPE members in Sarnia will be demonstrating outside MPP Bob Bailey's office in Point Edward.

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