B.C. teachers' strike: How some parents are taking action

Some B.C. parents are donating the government's $40-a-day compensation they expect to receive to the teachers union. Other parents are setting up makeshift schools of their own.

East Vancouver mom helps launch a PayPal drive for the BCTF's strike fund

Rhiannon Coppin CBC News Posted: Sep 04, 2014 3:50 PM EDT | Last Updated: September 5, 2014

B.C. teachers' strike: volunteers pick up the slack

10 years ago

2:17

A group of B.C. parents and community members are teaching a roomful of kids during the province's teachers' strike

A website set up to raise money for B.C. teachers during the ongoing province-widestrikehas collectedalmost $3,000in its first three days online.

The site, Families Funding Teachers,was set up by parentswho say they are angry with the government's decision to compensate them during the teachers' dispute.

"Parents wishing tore-gift their $40/day bribe moneycan do so easily here," the site says. "All money goes to the PayPal account of the B.C. Teachers' Federationand will be directed toward their strike fund."

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Kate Milberry, anEast Vancouver momwith a PhD and a specialty in social media, says shehelped createand launch thesite on Labour Day after a lively Facebook discussion with her community.

She says she was incensed when she first heard of the government's $40-a-daycompensation planbelieving that money should be going directly to teachers and educationand likened the payments toa pressure tactic.

"Receiving money from the government could be something that makes them [caregivers] feel better. It certainly could make their lives easier, and they might be more inclined to turn around and pressure teachers to go back to school," Milberry said.

The site is encouraging anyone and everyone whether they have school-age children or not to donate funds to the BCTF, and Milberry says the thousands of dollars that have come in isan encouraging response.

"I think it's compelling because people are in fact fronting this money. People don't have the $40a day in their pockets. They are advancing it to teachers, and I think that really shows a commitment."

Milberry says the BCTF has assured her the money will gointo its strike fund and will beused to help cash-strapped teachers.

B.C. teachers' strike: Day 3 of no-back-to-school

10 years ago

2:50

With no talks scheduled, both sides in the B.C. teachers' contract dispute appear to be getting more entrenched

Making space for classwork

And while many B.C. parents have been scrambling just to find daycare spaces during what is supposed to be the first week of school, some other B.C.parents have been taking more directaction.

East Vancouver dad Lars Konge decided to make school happen, whether the province and the B.C. teachers' union are involved or not.

Lars Konge, who hired a teacher and opened up a six-space classroom in his living room, is one of B.C.'s newest principals. (CBC)

He hired a teacher and turned his living room into a classroom for six children, including his daughter who is enrolled to startGrade 2.

"When they do go back to class, I don't want her to be further behind on the curriculum," he said.

Further west,one Vancouver Island community also decided to make school happen this week.

Lisa Bell, a mother of four, is one of the fill-in teachers guiding roughly 20 students through classwork in the community centre servingQualicum Bay and Bowser.

A student attending Qualicum Bay's makeshift school at the Lighthouse Community Centre pauses to reflect. (CBC)

"It's really important to keep their brains going.The kids have been out of school for three months now, and it's time to get back to something that isa little more regular," she told CBC News.

TieraHodges, another parent-turned-teacher, said noone participating at the temporary school is attempting toreplace B.C.'s professional educators.

"We're not trying to undermine the teachers in any way.We're trying to show the public the kids need this," she said.

Some parents on Vancouver Island set up a one-room schoolhouse for roughly 20 children. The parents say they aren't trying to replace teachers during the strike, but they want to do the best they can for their kids. (CBC)

Keeping football season going

Community coaches are stepping up and making sure high school football is able to get underway despite the teachers' strike.

KrisPechet, one of the directors of the B.C. High School Football Association, says he's received letters ofauthorizationfrom 37 school administrationsand estimates that 75 per cent of B.C.'s high school football teamswill be on the fieldthis fall.

BillHaddow, an English teacher at Hugh Boyd inRichmond, B.C., and a football coach for the last 38 years, says his team sadly won't be joining them.

"My clock has been set for a long time. I am supposed to be on a football field, I know that. It just hurts, it hurts bad, not to be able to work with those guys and give them theopportunities they want," he said.

For the school teams that do continue, they won't be usingschool property and will hold games on community fields, Pechet said.

"We have asked every coach and programs that do participate not to cross any picket lines," hesaid.