Should members of CUPE go on strike next week the Lakehead Public School Board says it will be closing its schools and shift to remote learning.

Programming would be delivered to your child remotely, at home, through Microsoft Teams, SeeSaw, and Edsby.  Schools will begin collecting information today and tomorrow about technology needs for families to move to remote learning in case a strike is confirmed.

— Lakehead Public School Board

Custodial and Maintenance staff for the public board are among the 55 thousand education workers represented by CUPE.

In an email to parents the board says those workers are essential to the health and safety of staff and students.

Exceptions however will be made for special needs students and those who attend child care centres.

Special Needs:

If there is the confirmation of a CUPE strike, schools would be closed to in-person learning with the exception of classrooms for self-contained Special Education.  Children who attend school in self-contained Special Education classes may continue to attend school as usual during a CUPE strike.

Child Care Centres at School Sites:

If there is the confirmation of a CUPE strike, child care centres located at school sites would continue to be open and operational.

Lakehead Public Schools acknowledges this is a fluid situation and is thanking parents for their understanding, cooperation, and patience.