When students with the Lambton-Kent District School Board get their final report cards this month, there won’t be any comments from the teachers.
“Currently, public elementary teachers across Canada are taking part in a lawful job action that is impacting the completion of report cards in their customary form,” wrote Jim Costello, director of education, in a letter sent home to students on Friday.
“Our elementary teachers have been directed by their provincial union (ETFO) to provide only students marks to their respective principals so there will be no comments on these reports. Principals will be entering the available information and ensuring that the reports are distributed to students on time at year end.”
Costello said all prior formal assessment, evaluation and reporting that has been completed this year will be part of your child’s record and can be referenced in the future.
“We know that our elementary teachers are skilled professionals and we are confident that throughout the school year they would have kept you well informed on the progress of your child. If you have questions about your child’s marks and/or progress, please know that you are able to contact your child’s teacher as you normally would.”
ETFO officials stated that elementary teachers are not withholding final marks.
Under ETFO’s work-to-rule job action, teachers are fulfilling their responsibility to provide marks to their principals for each elementary student in their classes. They have been reporting to parents on their child’s progress in the classroom and through meetings throughout the school year, ETFO officials said.
“All school boards have known for more than a month that ETFO’s work-to-rule action would affect the formal report card process. They have had ample time to prepare,” said Sam Hammond, ETFO president.
