Update on Job Action and Student Report Cards

November 1, 2011


Dear Parents and Guardians:

Subject: Update on Job Action and Student Report Cards

As the first term reporting dates approach, the Burnaby School District would like to provide you with an update on teacher job action and how it might affect our ability to provide you with a comprehensive report about your child’s progress.

As a part of job action, the Burnaby Teachers’ Association has informed the district that teachers will not produce report cards. However for grade 12 students, teachers will submit marks to the office if the student indicates that they require marks for graduation, post secondary institution registration or scholarship applications. In all other cases, instead of preparing and issuing report cards, teachers are available to communicate individually with parents about their child’s progress.

The district encourages all parents to contact their child’s teacher(s) directly either by phone, by note in the student planner or by email. You can locate teachers’ email addresses in the staff directory on your school website. If you have difficulty connecting with your child’s teacher(s), please contact the school principal.

The duties of principals and superintendents remain unchanged by the teachers’ job action. The school district has a statutory obligation to issue student reports. As a result, report cards will be issued for each student this fall regardless of whether or not teachers provide administrators with marks or anecdotal information. At a minimum, the report will include the student’s division, teacher(s), courses and attendance. Reports and/or grades will be given for any classes taught by administrators.

Please note that this is legal job action by the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) which is represented locally by the Burnaby Teachers’ Association (BTA). This job action is governed by the British Columbia Labor Relations Board (LRB) and the Labor Relations Act. School districts and the Government of British Columbia are represented in the negotiations by the British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA).

BCPSEA is currently reviewing options which recently included a return to the Labour Relations Board to request a change to require teachers to issue report cards. Although this is a difficult situation, the district is working hard to continue to provide Burnaby students with an excellent educational experience. As always, our priority is to maintain safe, welcoming school environments for all students, staff and families.

You can find more information about the teacher job action on the district website at www.sd41.bc.ca.

Sincerely,

Claudio Morelli

Superintendent

5325 Kincaid Street, Burnaby, BC V5G 1W2 604 664-8441 www.sd41.bc.ca

Burnaby School District presents a free education event with Dr. John Medina on Oct. 20

Time: OCTOBER 20, 2011 7-9pm

WITH DR. JOHN MEDINA
AUTHOR OF “BRAIN RULES”

Michael J Fox Theatre
5455 Rumble Street
Burnaby BC
 
How do we learn?

What does sleep and stress do to our brains?
Why is multi-tasking a myth?
Why is it so easy to forget—and so important to repeat new knowledge?
Is it true that men and women have different brains?

Learn the answers to these questions and more in a FREE parent education evening
with Dr. John Medina, molecular biologist, and best-selling author of “Brain Rules.”
With fascinating stories and an infectious sense of humour, Dr. Medina explains how
our brains work—and how this knowledge applies to our daily lives.

You will discover how:
• Every brain is wired differently
• Exercise improves cognition
• We are designed to never stop learning and exploring
• Memories are volatile
• Sleep is powerfully linked with the ability to learn
• Stress changes the way we learn
 
DR. JOHN MEDINA, a developmental molecular biologist, has a lifelong fascination with how the mind reacts to and organizes information. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School," a provocative book that takes on the way our schools and work environments are designed. His latest book is a must-read for parents and early-childhood educators: "Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five."

Medina is an affiliate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He is also the director of the Brain Center for Applied Learning Research at Seattle Pacific University. Medina lives in Seattle, Washington with his wife and two boys.

Learn more: www.brainrules.net

PAC meeting will be held on Monday, Oct 17 in the school library

The next Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting for Chaffey Burke Elementary School Parents and Guardians will be held on Monday, October 17, 2011 in the school library.


Coffee, juice and refreshments will be served.
Babysitting is available.

The following is the draft agenda and we welcome your additions, ideas and input!

Welcome & Introductions
Reports:
1. Principal’s Update
2. Head Teacher’s Update
3. Financial/Treasurer’s Report
4. School Planning Council
5. DPAC
6. Earthquake Prep
Business:
1. Fundraising plans/ideas
2. School requests
3. Outstanding volunteer roles
4. Parking
5. Lunch Program update
6. Other

Teen Manga Drawing Workshop with awardwinning

Tuesday, August 16
1:30 – 3:30 pm
Burnaby Public Library
Tommy Douglas
7311 Kingsway
For ages 12 – 18
Workshop is , but space is limited—
pre-registration required. Register online at
or call 604-297-4803.
FREE
www.bpl.bc.ca/events
Burnaby Public Library
http://www.bpl.bc.ca/

Annual Chaffey Avenue street sale is on Saturday and Sunday starting at 9am

This Saturday and Sunday starting at 9am is the Annual Chaffey Avenue street sale.


Bring the kids and look for books, toys, games, clothes and treasures!