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Chilliwack school district readies for Monday school start

The Chilliwack school district will delay an upcoming professional development day and reschedule first-term final exams.

The Chilliwack school district will delay an upcoming professional development day and reschedule first-term final exams in efforts to accommodate the shortened school year.

In a letter to parents, school superintendent Evelyn Novak said school staff could be in schools by as early as today, .

Teachers voted 86 per cent in favour of a tentative deal that had been reached between the BC Teachers' Federation and the BC Public School Employers' Association.

BCTF president Jim Iker had urged members to support the deal. He said the agreement provides for “hundreds of new teachers” as well as raises for regular and substitute teachers and improved extended health benefits.

What it means to Chilliwack parents is a return to classrooms for thousands of students.

Novak said first-day procedures will be in place Monday. That will mean a shortened day and early dismissal as staff determine the number of returning students and staffing requirements.

“This first day of school with students is important as it allows us to greet students, set preliminary classes and schedules, and finalize staffing levels at each of our sites,” Novak said.

“Following this first day, regular school hours will be in effect.”

A Pro-D day that had been planned for either Sept. 26 or Oct. 3 (depending on the school) is being rescheduled for January or February.

Novak said the district has yet to confirm when final exams for the first term would be held, but said the ministry of education would allow them to be moved into February.

“At this time, with current information, it is unlikely that we will see any adjustment to the length of the school day or adjustments to the Christmas break or spring break,” she added.

Meanwhile, motorists are being reminded that school zone speed limits will be enforced starting Monday.