Parents of children enrolled in public schools were told last week to expect their kids to bring home report cards with no grades as part of the ongoing job action by the B.C. Teachers' Federation.
But, for some Kamloops-Thompson school district students, that hasn't been the case.
While some children have received grade-less report cards, others have been sent home with progress reports that appear to be complete.
The head of the local teachers' union told KTW there are a couple of reasons students at Kamloops-area public schools may have received grades on their report cards - neither of which involve cracks in union solidarity.
"If the administrator has taught, then they'll have marks from the administrator," said Jason Karpuk, president of the Kamloops-Thompson Teachers' Association, explaining some non-union vice-principals teach certain classes at area schools.
The other way students might have received grades is due to a software glitch with computer programs used by teachers.
"In those cases, it was inadvertent that those marks were entered," Karpuk said.
A recent decision by the Labor Relations Board allowed B.C.'s unionized teachers to continue not grading their students, as part of their ongoing job action against the provincial government.
However, provincial legislation requires report cards go home - with or without grades.
Earlier this week, messages were relayed to parents of students at SD73 schools, saying their kids would be receiving grade-less report cards.
Karpuk said he is not aware of any local teachers failing to follow the union directive by intentionally including grades on report cards.
SD73 board chair Denise Harper said she is aware some students are receiving grades on their report cards.
"I have heard that some parents reported they had grades," she said. "I think individual teachers take it upon themselves to ensure communication with parents."
Parents of children who did not receive grades on their report cards are urged to contact their kids' teachers to discuss their progress.
The teachers' job action has been under way since the school year began in September.
– Tim Petruk - Kamloops This Week