From late November 2019 through early 2020, teachers in Ontario’s public elementary and high schools have started administrative work-to-rule campaigns. To many observers, it appears a wider strike is imminent. With parents’ and families’ concerns top of mind, we’ve built a comprehensive list of camps offering childcare and programming to children aged 2-16+. Organizations have stepped up and extended their summer and PA day programming to run, should schools close. Many of the camps and programs below are offered at discounted rates. Browse the list of strike camps below and find one your child will love! Read more
More about the strike, and options for parents
As of November 2019, teachers from two unions — Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) and the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) — have started work-to-rule, to apply pressure on the government. Currently, this is not affecting student learning or classroom instruction, but the two sides are far apart on issues. ETFO president Sam Hammond claims the government of Ontario “has not shown much interest” in working with the union. “Our members are getting impatient … strike action seems to be the only way to get the attention [of the Ford government].
During the initial action, teachers are withholding some select services. They will not be filing a progress report or term 1 report card, nor participate in EQAO testing or take part in Ministry of Education professional development. They will continue to teach, to meet with parents, and to supervise extra-curricular activities.
In the meantime, camps and programs are preparing to offer parents an alternative that covers childcare and activity for everyone from toddlers to teens. This will be an opportunity for kids to keep learning in spite of the strike by the OSSTF and ETFO.
They can read, but when it comes to functional literacy—expressing ideas, crafting arguments—some feel that students could, and should, be doing better. [Read more]
