Lethbridge students return to class as potential teachers’ strike or lockout looms

It was a day of excitement and nerves as students headed back to class Tuesday. But a potential teachers' strike still looms.

Despite the possibility of a teachers’ strike or lockout, thousands of students made their way back into the classroom Tuesday morning in Lethbridge.

“I’m happy because I get to see my friends,” said Emmet Bomhof, a Grade 6 student at St. Patrick Fine Arts Elementary School.

The first bell rang at 8:15 a.m., signalling the start of a new school year.

“I’m excited but a bit nervous for her, but I know she’ll have a great day,” said Kelsey Miffline, whose daughter is attending St. Patrick Fine Arts Elementary School.

While students are eager to be back in class, some parents say the end of summer has been unnerving with a potential teacher strike or lockout looming.

“It definitely brings a bit of uncertainty as we start the school year, but still lots of excitement for the first day,” said Catherine Furukawa during student drop-off at St. Patrick Fine Arts Elementary School.

“We’re hopeful for a great school year.”

Other parents say the not knowing has been the hardest part.

“It’s kind of hard not knowing what’s going to happen, to prepare, but it’s okay,” said Miffline.

“Hopefully it won’t happen, but if it does, we’ll handle it.”

Bargaining between the province and the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) came to a halt last Thursday.

On Friday, the province voted in favour of locking teachers out.

It’s now waiting for approval from the Alberta Labour Relations Board.

The ATA has been in a position since June to issue a 72-hour strike notice at any moment.

“We definitely need to sit down and see government move away from this restrictive financial mandate that they’ve put in place for their bargaining team,” said Jason Schilling, ATA president, on Tuesday.

The strike could take several forms, from a work-to-rule format to rotating strikes or a full provincewide walkout.

While a potential labour disruption is looming, the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division and Lethbridge School Division say operations will continue as normal.

“We will share information as soon as we have it available, and we’re going to figure this out together,” said Mike Nightingale, superintendent of the Lethbridge School Division, during an interview with CTV News.

“We know it’s a time of uncertainty, but for right now, we’re going to focus on the excitement of the new school year.”

It’s not just the uncertainty causing added stress to parents and children; teachers and office administrators are also navigating the uncertainty.

“When your livelihood is a little bit unsure, along with some other changes in legislation coming into effect this year and all of the different pieces that are on teachers’ plates, they’re doing their best to manage all of that,” said Kathy Jones-Husch, principal of St. Patrick Fine Arts Elementary School.

“But it definitely can weigh on people for lots of different reasons.”

Back-to-school safety

With students back to class, the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) is reminding drivers and pedestrians to stay vigilant when walking to and from school.

“Everybody needs to readjust for the new school season and just slow down,” said Const. Donald Realini, with the LPS youth engagement unit.

“You’re not going to get to your destination that much quicker by speeding, so slow down a little bit, be prepared to stop and stay vigilant.”

All playground and school zones are harmonized to school zones across the city.

The 30-kilometre-per-hour zones are in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. all year round.

Along with the zones, AMA school safety patrollers will be out and about around schools to help students and parents cross the roads safely.

“It is really important the job that they do every day,” said Allison Purcell, AMA school safety patrol co-ordinator.

“They’re out there making eye contact with drivers, they’re helping kids get across the street safely, reminding pedestrians that it’s point, pause and proceed in their procedures as well as helping kids with that as they cross.”

LPS says initiatives such as school safety patrollers are vital to keeping everyone safe.

“Last year was a tough year,” said Realini.

“We had a number of students struck on their way to school, so this is hugely important. It seems small, but it’s huge, and so it’s great to be able to support the other youth and take a leadership role and help out and contribute to their school and community.”