October 1, 2025 - Letter to parents
Dear families,
On September 29, members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) voted to decline the provincial government’s most recent offer. Because the ATA strike notice has already been given for October 6, that means teachers will not be at work, and schools will temporarily close, starting on October 6. The last day of school will be Friday, October 3, 2025.
Students will be invited to take home their personal belongings this week. After October 3, schools will remain closed, until we are notified by the provincial government that an agreement has been reached. Your school will communicate directly with you regarding this process. Chinook’s Edge will communicate with families at that point, so that you can know when classes are resuming.
We recognize that this temporary closure has an impact on students and families. We value the opportunity for students to learn at school, and to build relationships. We sincerely hope that a resolution to the provincial negotiations can be found quickly, so that we can return to having learning underway again.
Our schools are receiving some questions about whether teachers can send homework home with students this week. As members of the ATA, teachers (as well as principals and vice principals) are bound by the legal requirements of strike action. This means that:
Prior to a strike:
- Teachers are not to prepare, print, or distribute assignments in anticipation of a strike.
- Teachers cannot assign homework or 'catch-up' work to cover material that will be missed.
During the strike:
- Teachers are not to communicate with parents / guardians or students about school work.
- Teachers are not to provide feedback on school work.
- All classes will be cancelled. Students will not attend school in person or online.
- There will be no instruction, supervision, or extracurricular activities, including athletics during the strike.
- Families and staff should ensure childcare arrangements are in place for Monday, October 6.
- There will be no transportation. Please do not send your children to the bus stop.
- Childcare programs that rent space in Chinook’s Edge schools may still operate. Please check directly with your provider.
The provincial government has announced it will make support available for families during labour action. There is funding available to families with children aged 12 and under. Also, there is a parent toolkit containing learning resources. For more information please visit the government website, here.
To stay up to date on the most current information, please visit the Chinook’s Edge website, here.
We know this creates uncertainty and challenges for families. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our school communities as we work through this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Ryan Sawula
Superintendent
Chinook’s Edge School Division
About the bargaining process
Chinook's Edge is not involved in this stage of negotiations. Bargaining between the Teacher Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) and the ATA occurs at the provincial level.
Q & A's
Teachers and the Alberta Government have been unable to reach an agreement on a teacher collective agreement. Chinook's Edge is not involved in this stage of negotiations. Bargaining between the Teacher Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) and the ATA occurs at the provincial level.
It is unclear how long the strike will last. Chinook’s Edge is committed to providing timely updates as information becomes available. All communication to families can also be viewed here, on our website.
Students will be permitted to take laptops, tablets and Chromebooks home during the labour action.
Students may take textbooks and library books home during the strike.
Schools will be closed to students during a strike
The Alberta government is introducing a parent payment program. This support will be available to parents and guardians of students aged 12 and under who attend a public, separate or francophone school affected by the disruption. Eligible parents and guardians would receive approximately $150 per child for each week of labour action. The payments will be made monthly, commencing October 31 and will be retroactive to October 6. Applications will be available through the Alberta.ca platform. More information is available here.
All personal property that a student wishes to access during a strike should be removed from the school prior to the end of the school day on Friday, October 3. Schools will coordinate opportunities for students to bring these items home. We encourage families to leave most school supplies at school to support an easier transition back to classes following any labour action.
No. Schools will be closed to students during a strike.
All technology accounts will remain accessible to students during the strike. This includes Gmail, Google Drive, Windows Log in, PowerSchool, and Learning Services Resources.
Alberta Education has released a parent toolkit containing learning resources. For more information please visit the government website, here.
Students will have access to the self directed sections of dual credit programs. Any on site instruction will be paused until following labour action. Onsite Learning will be re-engaged and re-scheduled after job action.
Certified teachers are required to supervise students or provide assessment. Should students and employers wish to continue the students’ employment, no WCB support will be provided to employers as per the Off-campus manual. We are exploring ways to support students with their off-campus programming following labour action.
Chinook’s Edge will provide timely updates as information changes. All updates for families can also be viewed here, on the Chinook’s Edge School Division website.
More questions
Who to call?
- Parent questions, email: parentsjobactionquestions@cesd73.ca
- General inquires, call: 403-227-7070
- Staff questions, call: People Services at 403-227-7070
- Bargaining, email: teba.admin@gov.ab.ca
- Media, email: teba.admin@gov.ab.ca
Communications
September 29, 2025 Update
Current situation:
On the evening of September 29, 2025, the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) announced that members voted 89.5% to reject the agreement with the Teachers' Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA).
This vote will allow teachers to begin strike action as of Monday, Oct. 6.
What to expect in Chinook's Edge:
It is still possible the ATA and TEBA could reach a resolution before that date, although it appears unlikely at this point. If there is no resolution, it means teaching and learning will not continue and schools will be closed, as of October 6. Should a strike occur, extracurricular activities, field trips, and other school events will also be suspended. We strongly encourage parents to make childcare arrangements beginning on October 6 as schools will not be open should there be teacher strike action.
We will communicate more information about the next steps in this process on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Chinook’s Edge School Division respects the provincial bargaining process.
Please continue to watch this page for the most up to date information.
Current situation
On September 12, 2025 the Alberta Teachers' Association gave strike notice for October 6, unless a negotiated settlement is reached with the provincial Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA).
This notice formalizes the ATA's intent that was communicated in the media on September 10, and it confirms that a strike, if it occurs, would be province wide.
What to expect in Chinook's Edge
We understand the challenges any labour action might present for families. The education of your child is of utmost importance to us. While we regret this situation, we remain hopeful that a settlement can still be reached. We value the contributions of all employees who support student success, and we respect the provincial bargaining process.
If the strike takes place, all Chinook's Edge school buildings will be closed for the duration of the strike. This is for safety reasons; we will lack the required personnel for adequate supervision.
This means that all classes will be cancelled. Students will not attend school in person or online. Also, extra curricular activities will not continue.
Parents whose children attend a childcare program that rents space in a Chinook's Edge school are advised to please check with their provider, as those programs may still be open.
Before all buildings close, students will have the opportunity to bring home all personal belongings.
Dear Chinook’s Edge families,
As the new school year begins, we acknowledge the continued uncertainty surrounding potential province-wide job action.
Today it was announced that the Alberta Teachers Association and the provincial government are at an impasse with labour negotiations. This means no agreement has been reached at this time and there remains a possibility of job action in the near future.
While we understand that recent media announcements have increased uncertainty, we wanted to clarify that the ATA or TEBA need to provide 72 hour notice for any job action to take place.
It is important to note, this is not a local issue between the Chinook’s Edge Board of Trustees and the local ATA, but part of a province-wide process. We remain hopeful for a positive outcome where all parties can achieve a mutually agreeable resolution.
In the event of labour action, we will communicate directly with families. Parents/guardians should plan for childcare in the event of labour action.
For now it is business as usual in Chinook’s Edge. Our school year will begin as planned, after the long weekend, on September 2nd. We look forward to continuing to provide welcoming and strong learning experiences throughout all of our communities as we start a new school year.
Thank you for your understanding and support at this time.
Sincerely,
Ryan Sawula
Superintendent of Schools
Dear Chinook’s Edge families,
On June 10, the results of the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) strike vote held earlier this month were released. 95% of the votes were in favour of a strike. The strike vote does not mean labour action will begin immediately. The ATA has 120 days from the date of the vote to commence labour action, unless a resolution is reached between the provincial government’s Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) and the ATA. If the ATA decides to commence labour action that would have an impact during the school day, the union must provide school boards with 72 hours’ notice.
We value the contributions of all employees who support student success, and we respect the bargaining process. We hope that TEBA and ATA are able to conclude the bargaining process as soon as possible so that a new collective agreement can be reached.
It is important to note:
- For now, it is business as usual at all Chinook’s Edge schools.
- Chinook’s Edge is not involved at this stage of negotiations. Bargaining between TEBA and the ATA occurs at the provincial level. Teacher salaries are set through provincial collective agreements, not individual school boards.
- Parents/guardians should start planning for childcare in the event of strike action.
- At any time in this process, an agreement may be reached between the provincial government, specifically the Teachers' Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) and teachers (ATA).
We remain committed to communicating with families as more information becomes available.
Thank you for your understanding and support at this time.
Sincerely,
Ryan Sawula
Superintendent of Schools