As of today, a settlement between the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and the province has not been reached, and the province-wide teacher strike is expected to begin on Monday, October 6. Therefore, starting Monday, all classes in Pembina Hills (including Early Learning) will be cancelled and schools will be closed. Extra-curricular activities, field trips, prearranged trips and student transportation are also cancelled. Vista Virtual School (VVS) Calgary campus will remain open with support staff available. Current VVS students can visit the VVS website for information regarding their courses.

The last day of classes for community school students will be Friday, October 3. Students will be asked to take home any perishable items and personal belongings they may need. Families will need to make alternate arrangements for their children to ensure their wellness and well-being. Parents are not required to report their child’s absences during the strike. Please note that while schools are closed, some support staff may still be working on non-student tasks or professional learning.

Schools will not be providing any schoolwork to students for the duration of the strike. The Government of Alberta announced it will be offering financial support and educational resources for families. See the Alberta.ca website for more information.

We will continue to provide updates to parents through SchoolMessenger, posted on the division news and Labour Action webpage, and shared on division social media channels as they become available.

We know this is an uncertain and stressful time, and recognize this creates challenges for families. We remain optimistic that a resolution between the ATA and the province will be reached soon and that student learning can return as quickly as possible.