Teachers may still be on strike, but Fraser Valley Distance Education is open.
That's right.
Teachers working. Students learning.
Last Thursday, Chilliwack school district determined to keep the distance ed school open during summer after learning it would not be picketed.
In an internal memo to its members, the BC Teachers' Federation called off picketing at year-round schools, like FVDES, as a result of the strike disproportionately affecting those schools compared to others that are shut down during summer months.
The news couldn't have come sooner for principal David Manuel.
"Because we're 12 months, it's more challenging for us to be shut down for any period of time," said Manuel.
"For us, every day is a September and every day is a June because students are registering and completing all the time."
After two weeks of "just managing" the distance education school was back to being fully operational Monday morning. Both teachers and CUPE staff were onsite working.
Teacher support will again be available for DL students, and test sites throughout the Fraser Valley will be reopened.
"That's a real positive for us, and for our students," said Manuel.
For more information visit the FVDES website at www.fvdes.com