Discussions

I heard the BSD is switching to some half days for PD days instead of all full days. I am not happy with the switch but looks like there wasn't enough parent input to oppose it.

There was an online survey that I filled out. I was against it because it would mean finding child care on twice as many occasions for a half day instead of a few full days

Why would 20 half days be better than 10 full days?  
 
More to the point, why can't these PD days move to the summer?

"More to the point, why can't these PD days move to the summer?"  
 
I have always wondered this. It would mean 10 more full days a child can be in class learning!

Degenerate108 said "Why would 20 half days be better than 10 full days?     More to the point, why can't these PD days move to the summer? "

To answer part 1, I'm not sure, although I do remember there being "early dismissal" fairly often when I was in school. I don't think it's 20 days however: if I remember correctly, I think it was 6 half days? There was still a number of full days.  
 
To answer part 2, it's because teacher's don't work in the summer (and they don't get paid for it either). They only get paid for the days they teach, and then they get income averaging so they get cheques 12 months a year, but they're only getting paid for 9 or so of those months. You can't force them to take training on a day they don't work.  
 
And finally, I dislike how they did this. They did a robo call, which while done in the midst of all the blizzard and school closures things (so it wasn't the call you were expected when you picked up the phone to start with), you actively had to search the information because nothing was sent home. It was literally a case of if you knew about it, you could request the survey from your child's school. I had a hard time finding information about it and resorted to asking around on twitter because I wasn't getting anywhere.

They are going from 8 full days to 5 full days plus 6 half days. I have thought of many scenarios on how this saves them money and cannot for the life of me figure it out. I filled out the survey as well. Apparently only 9% of people did and only half of that number were opposed

DSopinion said "There was an online survey that I filled out. I was against it because it would mean finding child care on twice as many occasions for a half day instead of a few full days "

Many parents from other schools across the province deal with half days and actually close schools during blizzards etc. instead of the using the 'parental discretion' crutch and doing quite fine. Maybe BSD can join the modern age like other school divisions across the province been doing for quite some time.

I feel that there wasn't enough time for people to respond to the survey. Especially when there was hardly enough information out there for parents to know it was coming. I didn't get the email and had a friend forward it to me so I could vote. I feel this was kept very quiet. Obviously I'll figure out how to make this work. However, I'm incredibly annoyed that I do. It's going to cost me more in childcare and I'm not impressed.  
 
Off topic, I don't believe BSD needs to join the modern age and close down when it storms. I have a car and had ZERO issues getting my kid to school and myself to work. They shut the buses down outside of the city, anything more is overkill. Stop being sucks.

Not surprised by the outcome of this decision. Like already stated there was barely enough time given before reply needed to be sent back!! I only got a paper copy and luckily had access to fax machine otherwise wouldn't have known anything about it or been able to voice my opinion! Only 3 students in my kids class got a paper copy to bring home...no email or any other correspondence was put out about this to even give parents a fighting chance at changing their (IMO) already made up minds!! Poorly done BSD!!

Do you have a link or where did you hear that this was possibly happening? I received the email and sent it back. I did talk to some that didn't know anything about it. You would think the BSD would want more then 9% responses. And would try sending home letters with the kids if people didn't respond with emails.

my-girls said "Do you have a link or where did you hear that this was possibly happening? I received the email and sent it back. I did talk to some that didn't know anything about it. You would think the BSD would want more then 9% responses. And would try sending home letters with the kids if people didn't respond with emails. "

I think BSD knew all along they were going to go ahead with this schedule, and didn't care to have more responses as I think they know it would've been voted down. Hence why so many didn't hear about it. Why else would this have been so hurried and quiet. If they actually wanted proper feedback and a proper 'vote' this would've been handled more effectively with meetings and discussions over time. All those surveys had to be completed by March 17th. That was a week ago.  
I have a family member in the school division who heard from higher ups that it is a go. As for links or realeases I'm not sure. Not sure where others heard their info from.  
Not sure if school division realizes that 8 full days of childcare is cheaper than 5 full days and 6 half days. If the child is needing daycare, daycare rates are a full day rate at 4 hrs. So if the kids go to school in the mornings, they will need care as of 11:45 am(or whenever they get out for lunch) till end of work day. In most cases that's 5 or 5:30 meaning they have to pay full day rates. And these half days fall on random days like a Wednesday or Thursday. Not many employers are gonna be okay with their staff scrambling to leave and get their child halfway thru the day. This just seems like it's going to be harder on parents.  
Just my opinion.

I agree with the last posting saying that BSD knew all along they were going to vote on Model B of the calender. It's very irresponsible of BSD, how are parents to find care for their children? It's already hard enough to find spots, let alone 1/2 day ones. Are they going to provide child care options? Not likely.... I know myself I will have to book off those days just to care for my child and that means my pay goes down...which isnt fair...

have jobs where they are able to get away from their workplace when their children are dismissed for the day at noon hour. Can foresee lots of complaints if/when this new school calendar is implemented.

I agree it was very rushed and certainly seemed as though they already had their mind made up before they started.  
 
This is going to to negatively affect a lot of families. I work from home and my daughter takes the bus. I find it absolutely ridiculous that she ride the bus 2 hours total a day only to be at school for 3 hours x 6 days a year.  
 
Curious what other school divisions do this? I know Rolling River does not.

I will start off by saying I'm not familiar with the teachers union contract. However in my profession it is also expected that we complete ongoing education, go to conferences, workshops ect for our license. Sometimes we get lucky and there is access to funding and paid days to attend the education sessions to maintain our competency. Sometimes we attend those conferences/ workshops on our days off (i.e. Weekends) and are not compensated for either the cost of the conference/workshop and/or our days off....it just depends on staffing and approval. Yet the expectation is that we continue to provide service/attend our shifts ect. You are right re the income averaging over the whole year for teachers but I still struggle to understand why the days for pd cannot be completed over days when children are not to be in school. Yes. I completed the survey because I too cannot see how the 1/2 days will save $$$$: in today's day and age apparently that's all that matters. I'd have to see the breakdown. Either way 1/2 days seem ridiculous and will put many parents in a difficult place for childcare.

ABCSS said "I will start off by saying I'm not familiar with the teachers union contract. However in my profession it is also expected that we complete ongoing education, go to conferences, workshops ect for our license. Sometimes we get lucky and there is access to funding and paid days to attend the education sessions to maintain our competency. Sometimes we attend those conferences/ workshops on our days off (i.e. Weekends) and are not compensated for either the cost of the conference/workshop and/or our days off....it just depends on staffing and approval. Yet the expectation is that we continue to provide service/attend our shifts ect. You are right re the income averaging over the whole year for teachers but I still struggle to understand why the days for pd cannot be completed over days when children are not to be in school. Yes. I completed the survey because I too cannot see how the 1/2 days will save $$$$: in today's day and age apparently that's all that matters. I'd have to see the breakdown. Either way 1/2 days seem ridiculous and will put many parents in a difficult place for childcare. "

School system contracts are weird. I believe that the union has basically made it that they can't be compelled to work for hours they're not paid. That's why when teachers "work to rule", there's no sports, clubs, etc. They are not *required* to work outside of school hours, although most do. Same with EA's - they are not paid for one minutes before or after school hours.  
 
The school division can't unilaterally change the contract without the union, unless you want massive upheaval.

Are the survey results in? Is it going to be 20 half day PD days now for sure?  
Is BSD running busses at the end of the half days or will children need to be picked up at schools?

Beajulsha said "Are the survey results in? Is it going to be 20 half day PD days now for sure?   Is BSD running busses at the end of the half days or will children need to be picked up at schools? "

The surveys were to be completed by March 17th. So yes they have the results.  
But it's not 20 half days. There will be 5 full days and 6 half days for 'PD' days, plus all the regular holiday days. It used to be 8 full days. From what I understand is yes, the buses will still be picking children up at the end of those half days ( lunch time). But parents who's kids aren't bussed will have to make arrangement to get their kids at an awkward time of day now. Most parents lunch hours for work start at 12 or 1, not 11:45am. Guess we'll find out how this is all going to work, hopefully soon.

This is what the new calendar would look like:  
 
 
grK-8-Sept 27 (All day) gr9-12- Sept 27 (All day)  
grK-8-Oct 20 (All day) gr9-12- Oct 20 (All day)  
gr K-8-Nov 2 ( 1/2 day) gr9-12- Nov 2 (1/2 day)  
Gr K-8-Nov 17 (All day) gr9-12- Nov 17 (All day)  
GrK-8-Dec 6 (1/2 day) gr9-12 Dec 6 (1/2 day)  
Gr K-8-Feb 14 (1/2 day) gr9-12- Feb 14 (1/2 day)  
GrK-8-Mar 8 (All day)  
GrK-8-Mar 16 (All day) gr9-12-Mar 16 (All day)  
gr9-12- Apr 13 (All day)  
Gr K-8-Apr 25 (1/2 day) gr9-12- Apr 25 (1/2 day)  
Gr K-8-May 30 (1/2 day) gr9-12- May 30 (1/2 day)  
GrK-8-June 21 (1/2 day) gr9-12-June 21 (1/2 day)  
 
Plus all other holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas break, Spring Break, May long, etc.  
 
Im concerned about the high school students with the half day classes. If they run schools in the morning for those half days their afternoon classes would be the ones suffering. It seems like those afternoon classes would be the ones that take a hit by extending it to half days over more time. Instead of 8 days lost to all classes, only 5 will be lost to morning and 11 to afternoon.  
But I guess I''ll wait to see what BSD has to say about how this will work. Hopefully they release something soon.  
 
Edited by Cheezies, 2017-03-24 14:21:06

Abbysmum said "    Degenerate108 said "Why would 20 half days be better than 10 full days?     More to the point, why can't these PD days move to the summer? " To answer part 1, I'm not sure, although I do remember there being "early dismissal" fairly often when I was in school. I don't think it's 20 days however: if I remember correctly, I think it was 6 half days? There was still a number of full days.     To answer part 2, it's because teacher's don't work in the summer (and they don't get paid for it either). They only get paid for the days they teach, and then they get income averaging so they get cheques 12 months a year, but they're only getting paid for 9 or so of those months. You can't force them to take training on a day they don't work.     And finally, I dislike how they did this. They did a robo call, which while done in the midst of all the blizzard and school closures things (so it wasn't the call you were expected when you picked up the phone to start with), you actively had to search the information because nothing was sent home. It was literally a case of if you knew about it, you could request the survey from your child's school. I had a hard time finding information about it and resorted to asking around on twitter because I wasn't getting anywhere. "

They actually get paid for the months they work but it is not prorated over 12 months. At least it wasn't as of a couple of years ago. I could find out if it still is. But it is apparently how the teachers wanted it in the contract negotiations (not my friends preference - but the majority). So no pay in the summer - either budget well, or get a job in summer.

Yes curious to see if it will be all afternoons off on the half days or a mix.

ChrisDA said "Sorry what's PD days? "

As far as I can figure out it means personal development day. What they do on these days ? ? Not a clue.

bdngal said ""More to the point, why can't these PD days move to the summer?"     I have always wondered this. It would mean 10 more full days a child can be in class learning! "

As if prime learning would happen in the summer and the kids would be oh so excited to learn on a 30 degree day! Next ....

Degenerate108 said "Why would 20 half days be better than 10 full days?     More to the point, why can't these PD days move to the summer? "

Would you all your job training booked during your holidays? If you think teacher are overpaid and don't deserve their time off, feel free to become one and try it out.

It stands for professional development, and teachers go to all sorts of conferences and training on those days. The days are designed to keep teachers current on the latest educational resources and strategies. They are essential to a continuous growth plan. Most teachers miss their classroom, and given a choice, would often prefer to be in their classroom with their kids! However, education is a dynamic field that requires constant professional development. Remember, teachers are in a classroom all day teaching students. They occasionally need the opportunity to step back and reflect on the learning process and learn new things. There is no time for that when they are busy teaching!

Of the day when Brandon parents on this site are ever happy with the school division.

Do you think parents should be happy about this? I have no issues with the school division other than this. My daughter loves school, loves her teacher and is excelling. This is going to be a huge inconvenience for a lot of families.  
 
I still have yet to hear from anybody as to how the BSD is saving money going this route. Does a child riding the bus for a total of 2 hours a day for 3 hours at school make any sense?!? My work has zero flexibility to take her to school or pick her up.  
 
I am not sure what was the problem with leaving it alone!

All those parents complaining that their children aren't getting educated!  
 
It'll be interesting to see if those half days all fall on Friday afternoons.

plane watcher said "All those parents complaining that their children aren't getting educated!     It'll be interesting to see if those half days all fall on Friday afternoons. "

Actually all the half days they have down for the upcoming school year are on Wednesdays and Thursdays. No Fridays at all. I posted the half day dates earlier on this thread, if you want to check them out.  
 
Edited by Cheezies, 2017-03-24 22:35:54

They should be on Friday afternoon's!!! At least then if parents have to take the day off or afternoon they can make a long weekend out of this nonsense!!