The Ministry of Education has adjusted the school calendar in order to include a new statutory holiday on September 30, National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Members are urged to check with their admin about how this change has impacted school schedules starting next year.  

Please note that the Ministry has decided not to reduce the hours of instruction. That means that there will be adjustments to bell schedules. Schools that have flex time or collaboration time in their schedules should pay extra attention to the changes. 

The collective agreement and the School Act have specific language about the school day, the instructional day, and the instructional week: 

D.22.1 SCHOOL/INSTRUCTIONAL DAY 

*a. The term “school day” means a period commencing fifteen (15) minutes before classes are first convened in the morning and ending fifteen (15) minutes after classes are last dismissed in the afternoon, AND 

*b. No employee will be required to perform supervision duties beyond the school day except where an emergency necessitates supervision to ensure the safety of students. 

*c. In an elementary school the “instructional day” shall not exceed six (6) hours inclusive of fifteen (15) minutes of recess and the regular noon intermission. 

*d. In a secondary school the “instructional day” shall not exceed six (6) hours and thirty (30) minutes (six (6) hours and forty (40) minutes at Semiahmoo Secondary) inclusive of the regular noon intermission, period change time, home room, SSR etc. 

*e. Where employees are employed at work locations other than schools, their “work day” shall be the normal office hours for their work location but shall not exceed seven (7) hours including a half hour meal break. 

*D.22.2 INSTRUCTIONAL WEEK 

*a. For employees in an elementary school, the instructional week shall not exceed twenty-five (25) hours inclusive of preparation time (as specified in Article D.4) and seventy-five (75) minutes of recess. 

*b. For employees in a secondary school, the instructional week shall not exceed twenty-seven and one half (27 1/2) hours inclusive of preparation time (as specified in Article D.4), period change time, home room, SSR, etc. 

If you have any questions about your school’s bell schedule, please contact Kelli O’Malley at grieve2@surreyteachers.

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