It is with a heavy heart that I see the political turmoil around schooling these days. I personally think I am well compensated for my profession; but the quality of public schooling has been tangibly eroded over the last decade. I believe we need smaller class sizes and help for struggling learners (class composition) and it MUST be clearly stated in a negotiated contract. Docking teachers pay 10% during this dispute was a tough tactic on the part of the employer; teachers will respond with equal toughness. Those are the reasons I support my teacher's association.
In our classroom: to ensure materials are wrapped up properly please:
-return all textbooks by Wednesday June 9. Mainly Math texts are out still: Grade 6 yellow textbooks (Journeys in Math) and Math Makes Sense (blue) and Grade 7 orange textbooks (Journeys in Math 7) and brown (Math Makes Sense 7).
-students will take home their mugs (remember: tea and handwriting!) next day. Bringing padding or protection for your china mug might be good.
-students will be receiving uncashed cheques or a refund of the $20 EcoPaddling payment on June 11. Parents might want to follow up on that $ the same evening...
-We are still planning (at this point) to run the Swim afternoon at Commonwealth Pool on Friday June 20. In the event that it doesn't run, our school will still have paid the facility rental to Saanich Recreation. The 1/6 of the payment made in September for ALL "Fun Fridays" swim/skate sessions will not unfortunately be reimbursed. Should you have concerns about this please ask the administration to address them.
-I am undecided about the Div.9 SlideShow/Pancake Breakfast at present. I am unable to have free access to my workplace to compile the slideshow as I do most years...
-It is possible that Progress Reports will be in an abridged form this year due to the job action. This really saddens me. So many students have done STELLAR, creative work in their Math Houses and in their Francophone Country projects and presentations. I have so much feedback to give each student, so much I want you parents to know about the kids' efforts...Suffice it to note that it has been a profound pleasure and challenge working with this year's "rock star" classroom.
`:-)
Mark Brown (Mr.)