The head of the local teachers' union told KTW recently that reports of parents receiving report cards with grades is not indicative of cracks forming in B.C. Teachers' Federation solidarity as it continues its job action.
Teachers have decided to send home report cards bereft of any useful information whatsoever, save for the student's attendance record.
These report cards contain blank spaces where grades should be next to subjects, along with a typewritten explanation from School District 73 as to why the report cards are void of information, including this passage: "The teachers' strike action, approved by the Labour Relations Board, has permitted teachers to withhold grades and student progress from principals and school district administration. Therefore, our ability to provide parents with a report card, complete with letter grades and/or performance scales, has been severely restricted."
Parents who received one of these blank report cards might rightly be wondering why trees died for these useless pieces of paper.
The answer lies in the fact the Ministry of Education mandates report cards are sent home, even if they are about as illuminating as a blank Post-it Note.
So, while every student in School District 73 brought home these state-mandated piece of paper, some kids also brought home separate progress reports that are, in essence, report cards.
And, contrary to claims by Jason Karpuk, president of the Kamloops-Thompson Teachers' Association (KTTA), these progress reports, complete with letter grades, percentages and, in some cases, copious comments on student effort and achievement, are not the work of administration, nor are they the result of a computer glitch.
They are handwritten grades, percentages and comments penned by teachers for parents - in other words, it is the work of teachers doing what teachers should be doing.
As one reader on KTW's website so aptly observed: "It strikes me as a little humourous that Mr. Karpuk almost seems to be apologizing for his membership doing things correctly."
While the KTTA, the school district and teachers have made it known that parents can call the school and meet with teachers to discuss their students' progress, it is obvious some educators have decided grading their students remains part of the job description - regardless of job action.
As School District 73 board of education chairwoman Denise Harper said: "I think individual teachers take it upon themselves to ensure communication with parents."
However, perhaps the finest report card created during this year of job action was crafted by a mom.
Cjay Boisclair received her son's Grade 6 report card and opened the envelope, excited to see how her boy was progressing.
"Imagine my surprise when I saw that the teacher forgot to fill it in," Boisclair said.
"So, feeling charitable and realizing that he must be overworked, I thought I would help him out. I have sent his report card back to the teacher."
Her son's report card, selflessly filled out by Boisclair, shows that, young Dylan is a superior student, having attained straight A+'s - which is good, since Boisclair has promised her son five bucks for every A achieved.
And, as can seen by the teacher's comments, so graciously penned by Boisclair in this time of job action, young Dylan has made quite the impression on teacher Robert Wielgoz.
To be clear, Boisclair wants it known that Wielgoz is a fantastic teacher, as is principal Jake Schmidt.
She just feels frustrated by the impact of the job action, which includes blank report cards and, at Bert Edwards science and technology school, cancelled Christmas concerts that were held at other schools.
Boisclair's response is witty - and we hope the teacher is enjoying his Christmas vacation with a chuckle.
- Christopher Foulds is editor of Kamloops This Week.