Work to Rule FAQs

Click here to download the Job Action Update sent to members on February 2, 2017

Updated - February 7, 2017

Please note - the following FAQs have been updated: Assessment No. 4 and Communication No. 27

Click here to download a PDF of the FAQs 

Please note that (as of December 9, 2016 at 2:00 PM) the FAQs have been reorganized by category and numbered within each category :

Assessment

  1. May I mark students’ work or work on lesson plans at home?
    • Yes, you may prepare and assess student work, as you deem appropriate, off-site.
  2. Do students on adaptations still get extra time for assignments or tests?
    • Yes, provided it occurs during the instructional day.
  3. Can I continue with LLI and Reading Recovery assessments on a daily/weekly basis?
    • Yes, if, in your professional judgement, the assessment is appropriate.
  4. Can I still make referrals for my students to have assessments? (psychoeducational assessments, behaviour assessments, speech/language assessments).
    • While you cannot use TIENET to make a referral, teachers can make referrals by contacting the appropriate person..
  5. As a Math Intervention Teacher, I use common assessments provided by the DOEECD to form my groups. Can I still use the assessments during WTR?
    • During WTR, teachers should not administer Department or Board mandated large scale assessments. However, a teacher may use a standardized or common assessment if, in the teacher’s judgement, it provides meaningful information for the teacher to plan instruction for the student(s). Teachers could also use their own assessments to determine which students will receive support and student groupings.
  6. Can student performances occur if they part of a course evaluation?
    • Yes, but students can only perform in front of their own class.
  7. Can the school psychologist give a paper copy of a report to the school?
    • Yes, however appropriate confidentiality precautions must be taken and the report cannot be uploaded to TIENET during WTR.
  8. Can a School Psychologist/Speech Language Pathologist//Behaviour Specialist/etc. attend a meeting to present the results of an assessment of a student?
    • No, meetings are struck work.However, if an individual teacher deems it appropriate to meet with the school psychologist/speech language pathologist/behaviour specialist/etc., they may do so during the instructional day.
  9. Can teachers with Administrative Responsibilities supervise or facilitate evaluation of non-NSTU staff typically within their purview?
    • Yes, WTR Directives do not prohibit admins in carrying through on their duties, re: supervision or evaluation of non-NSTU staff.
  10. Will we be making recommendations for placements into specialized programs (i.e. LD program) for students (i.e. following an assessment either internal or external)
    • Yes, as long as the recommendation is completed without TIENET.
  11. Can teachers fill out surveys to support a psychological or speech language assessment?
  • Teachers are not to fill out Board/Department or external forms. However, teachers can fill out assessment forms from psychologists to support a teacher initiated student assessment.

12.(a)  Can Teacher evaluations take place during WTR?

  • Summative evaluations can take place for term, probationary and permanent teachers on summative review. Formative processes can occur for individuals on summative evaluation. 
    Formative evaluations such growth cycle performance reviews remain struck work.

12.(b)  Am I on Summative Review?

  • Permanent teachers on summative review would have been notified by a letter from their Board and have support from an NSTU Staff Officer to assist them.  Term and probationary teachers are automatically on summative review.

13. Can teachers/administrators use PowerSchool for data entry?

  • No, members may not put anything on PowerSchool; however, school administration, guidance counsellors and registrars can use PowerSchool to only enter course changes, course transfers and register for the current academic year.  School administrators can enter electronic data related to safety concerns.

14. May an external interviewer conduct Oral Proficiency Interviews (OPI's) with grade 6 Intensive French students at the end of their Intensive French Program during WTR?

  • No, any external interviewer would be seen as a guest during WTR.  Classroom time is for the classroom teacher and her/his students only and is not to be interrupted.  Students may not be pulled from the classroom for these assessments during WTR.

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Communication

  1. Can I still call or email parents during the school day?
    • Yes, you may communicate with parents, from 20 minutes before the start of the instructional day until 20 minutes after the end of the instructional day, as you deem appropriate.
  2. If I am aware of a member who is not following the WTR directives what should I do?
    • If you are comfortable doing so, remind them of the WTR directives. If the member continues to not follow the WTR directives, report the details of the matter to the Local Job Action Committee Chairperson.
  3. Can I meet with parents during WTR?
    • Yes, if you, as the teacher, deem it to be appropriate and the meeting occurs during the instructional day.
  4. If a parent asks for an IPP meeting can I schedule one?
    • No, IPP meetings are struck work. However, if an individual teacher deems it appropriate to meet with a parent, they may do so during the instructional day.
  5. Can Guidance Counsellors/Registrars/Administrators/Teachers register students in PowerSchool?
    • No, entering/uploading data into PowerSchool/TIENET/Gradebook is struck work for all NSTU members.
  6. To ensure I am reimbursed for my expenses, can I still submit expense claims?
    • Yes, you should continue to submit expense claims in the usual manner.
  7. Can I write letter of reference for a student?
    • No, writing reference letters is struck work.
  8. Can we transfer our files from our GNSPES.ca accounts to a personal account?
    • Yes, teachers are encouraged to maintain personal backups of their intellectual property.
  9. How much notice will there be to change job action from WTR to full strike?
    • There may be very little notice provided. Members are encouraged to check their email frequently for updates.
  10. I have a Board phone. Am I allowed to use it for personal use outside of regular school hours?
    • Yes, as long as you comply with Board usage policies.
  11. I use an organizational app with students for communication and organization like Remind app. May I continue?
    • Teachers shall not use any electronic communication.
  12. The WTR Directives say “no electronic communication” and also that “teachers may use technology for instructional purposes at their discretion”. What does this mean for Google Classroom?
    • Teachers shall not use the parent communication function on Google Classroom but are otherwise free to use technology as they deem fit for instruction and assessment purposes.
  13. May I distribute PTA/SAC newsletters and any handouts to students that do not originate from the Board or Department?
    • No, you may only distribute documents to students that you create and deem necessary.
  14. Can I use AESOP?
    • Yes, NSTU members should continue to handle employee absences in the manner existing prior to WTR.
  15. Who is responsible for informing parents about WTR and its effects on my school?
    • The employer is responsible for sending information to parents and/or the public relating to the job action and labour dispute. This is not the responsibility of NSTU members.
  16. If the Principal is absent from school, can a teacher on the staff act as Teacher in Charge?
    • Yes.
  17. Do I still have to maintain the fire binder in my school?
    • Yes, as these are legally required to be completed.
  18. I know the directive is to not input anything into PowerSchool or Tienet. May I review data that is already in PowerSchool?
    • Yes, you may review PowerSchool as desired, but do not input any data.
  19. Do I still have to send bus notes to the office?
    • Yes, this would be a student health and safety issue.
  20. I use my students’ agendas to communicate with parents. Can this continue?
    • Teachers may communicate with parents during the instructional day as they deem necessary.
  21. May I provide students with their academic transcripts upon request?
    • Yes, a guidance counselor or administrator may provide transcripts to students upon request by the student.
  22. Speech pathologists tend to send work home for the students they work with (for parents to practice these skills). Do they continue to do this?
    • Yes.
  23. Can teachers complete and fill in the SIP forms for injuries?
    • Yes as this is a health and safety issue.

24. Are teachers required to provide administrators or Boards with a Communication or Yearly plan?

o   No, teachers are not to provide copies of communication or yearly plans to administrators or Boards. Teachers may communicate to parents as they deem appropriate, so if they choose to send such communication home to students or parents, they may choose the lay-out or format as they deem appropriate.  This parental communication is at the teacher's discretion.

25. Can NSTU members who work at Board offices schedule and attend meetings related to budgetary or programming needs for the coming year?

o   No, all meetings are struck work for NSTU members - this includes consultants, co-ordinators and directors.

26. May parent information sessions or Course Selection sessions for the 2017-18 school year take place for either parents or students?

o   No, NSTU members should be focused on delivering the PSP to this year's students.  These sessions should not take place during WTR.

27.  May I nominate a student for an award during WTR?

o   If the nomination is simply passing along a name over the phone or by email during the instructional day, this could occur.  Attending meetings, filling out forms for outside agencies and writing reference letters, however, continue to be struck work during WTR.

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Instructional Day

  1. May I be in the school building earlier than 20 minutes before the start of the instructional day?
    • No, you may not arrive at school earlier than 20 minutes before instructional time begins.
  2. Can I stay in the school building later than 20 minutes after the end of the instructional day?
    • No, you may not remain at school later than 20 minutes after instructional time begins.
  3. Can I still upload videos for the purpose of instruction?
    • Yes, you may use technology for instructional purposes, as you deem appropriate.
  4. If an emergency situation happens during the lunch hour, can I still help?
    • Teachers are not to supervise students during the students’ lunch and noon hour break. The Employer is responsible for contingency planning to ensure that adequate supervision is in place for students during lunch hour. If unforeseen circumstances, such as a lunch supervisor calling in sick, put student safety at risk then you must ensure student safety.
  5. Can we offer extra help during recess?
    • No, teachers will only provide extra help during class time.
  6. Should we still supervise students during recess?
    • Yes, teachers will continue to provide supervision during recess, as they did prior to the start of WTR, while WTR is in effect.
  7. Should we supply pens/pencils/paper to students?
    • There are no restrictions during WTR with respect to providing school supplies to students.
  8. If Principal or VP instructs/requests me to cover for a teacher during my prep time, what should I do?
    • If you are INSTRUCTED to cover a class, you must do so, however, if you are REQUESTED to cover a class, you would have the option to respectfully decline.
  9. There are two (2) guidance counsellors at my school with two (2) lunch periods. Should they take their lunch at the same time and shut down the guidance office, or should they alternate lunches?
    • Teachers are not to supervise or meet with students during the students’ lunch and noon hour break. Guidance Counsellors are to perform their duties during students’ instructional time.
  10. Can we use Google Apps for Education during instructional time?
    • Yes, you may use technology for instructional purposes as you deem appropriate.
  11. What is the role of the Administrator regarding lunch time duties?
    • All NSTU members are directed to not supervise students during the students’ lunch or noon hour break. Administrators should be available to attend to emergencies or to supervise if a non-NSTU lunch time supervisor calls in sick.
  12. Do I have to supervise students 20 minutes before the start of the instructional day, at recess and/or 20 minutes after the end of the instructional day?
    • Yes, if you are instructed by your Administrator.
  13. Will WTR affect term teachers or those retiring pertaining to days taught and claimed?
    • No, WTR should have no negative impact on days taught and claimed.
  14. Can a Physical Education Teacher still take their class outside to run?
    • While field trips are prohibited, teachers can use indoor and outdoor school facilities.
  15. Are we to do duty that is scheduled during instructional time?
    • Yes, as long as you maintain your contractual minimum marking and preparation time.
  16. Are teachers required to continue Grade 3 relief?
    • Teachers will continue to follow their regular teaching assignment.
  17. Our gym is under renovations due to flooding. We have alternate facilities for gym class at the curling club and the arena next to our school. Can we still use these facilities during WTR?
    • Yes as the alternate facilities are considered to be your normal school site for those classes.
  18. My Board has implemented embedded CLT time. Am I allowed to leave school when students are dismissed on these days?
    • Teachers are not to participate in CLTs. The Board may decide to cancel these early-dismissals and return to having students present for a full instructional day. If students are still dismissed early on these days, during the remainder of the instructional day, teachers may engage in self-directed learning.
  19. My schedule has been adjusted so that I work with students with discipline issues during their scheduled lunch break and I have my lunch break immediately after their lunch break ends. Do I continue with this practice?
    • NSTU members are not to provide extra help or supervise students during the students’ lunch break.
  20. I use a token/incentive system, like Class Dojo. May I continue?
    • Teachers shall not use any electronic communication. However, you are free to use incentive systems either in your classroom or school wide at your discretion.
  21. Can I prepare lessons and materials over lunch break?
    • Yes, teachers can prepare lessons and materials at their discretion.
  22. I am a principal. What if students come in before the 20 minutes or stay after the 20 minutes?
    • The Boards have been given notice of the work-to-rule directive and will need to make alternate arrangements. You are not to arrive at school earlier than the 20 minutes before and the 20 minutes following.
  23. Can I use “Hour of Code” activities with my students?
    • You must use your professional judgement to determine how to teach the Public School Program. So long as you are not taking students off site, bringing in a guest speaker or working outside of instructional time, WTR does not prohibit such classroom activities.
  24. Our school has multi-grade level groupings that meet once per week during instructional time to engage in non-PSP activities. Can this continue?
    • No. Teachers should focus exclusively on delivering the Public School Program.
  25. Our school has SSR (sustained silent reading) daily. Can this continue during WTR?
    • If the SSR is a part of the mandatory instructional time for students it may continue during WTR.
  26. I know that lunchtime supervision is struck work, however my students eat in our classroom for 15 minutes during the instructional, time before the official lunch break begins. Can this continue?
    • No. Instructional time is for instruction.
  27. I’m a family studies teachers. I routinely buy groceries for my course and am reimbursed. May I continue?
    • Yes, teachers may continue to perform ordinary course preparation as they deem appropriate. Teachers should submit related expense claims as they did prior to WTR.
  28. I’m a non-school based board staff and have been asked to cover early morning, recess and lunch duties. Should I?
    • No, this is struck work.
  29. I’m a Resource teacher. Our School Program Planning Team meetings are embedded into our instructional day. Can we still have these meetings?
    • No, this is struck work.
  30. Can NSTU members still order school supplies online during school hours?
    • No, this is struck work.
  31. What are the directives for attendance at school for teachers who only work for part of the day?
    • Teachers can not arrive at school earlier than 20 minutes before instructional time begins nor stay later than 20 minutes after instructional time ends. Percentage teachers who start teaching at the beginning of the instructional day must arrive 20 minutes before instructional time begins. Similarly, percentage teachers who finish teaching at the end of the instructional day must stay 20 minutes after instructional time ends.
  32. Our school has limited street parking and we use a school area as parking. Are we allowed to park on school property prior to 20 minutes before instructional time without getting out of the car?
    • Yes, you may park prior to the 20 minutes but should not enter the school or supervise students prior to 20 minutes before the instructional day.
  33. Can students eat their snacks for recess in the classroom or do they only eat them at recess time outside?
    • Yes.
  34. Under WTR directives are teachers required to provide student support in classes other than their own (grades 4 – 6). This support could be from 1 – 2 hours at a time for a total of 3 hours a week. All teachers involved receive their mandated prep time per week.
    • Yes, teachers are expected to follow their normal teaching assignment.
  35. I have been asked to “provide work” for a student who will now work in Resource during my class as determined by the School Planning Team meeting. Am I to do that? Would I still assess and evaluate his work without his receiving instruction?
    • Yes.
  36. Speech pathologists tend to spend time creating visuals and developing visual schedules for their students. Do they continue to do this?
    • Yes.
  37. My school has two bells. The first is to let students know that they can enter the building. The second is to let students know that they should be in class.Which bell denotes the start of the instructional day.
    • The second bell is the beginning of the instructional day and teachers can be required to provide supervision up to 20 minutes prior to the second bell.

38. I have a teaching position to fill at my site and need to conduct interviews.  Can these be done outside of the instructional day?

  • Yes, interviews may be conducted outside of the instructional day if they cannot be accommodated within the instructional day.

39. I have an interview for a new teaching position.  Can these be done outside of the instructional day?

  • Yes, interviews may be conducted outside of the instructional day if they cannot be accommodated within the instructional day.

40. Can substitute teachers still be hired so that teachers have time for Individual Program Planning?

  • Yes, substitutes can be hired to provide teachers time to develop program plans, the WTR directive regarding no meetings still applies, this time should not be used to conduct IPP meetings.

41.  May Guidance Counselors pull students from class to run group programs in our school?

  • As an NSTU member, you are permitted to work with Guidance Counselors to facilitate public school programming.  Students, however, may not be pulled from class as a group to engage in non-public school program activities.  Individual students may work with the guidance counselor for health/safety reasons throughout the day.  Any group sessions would have to be conducted in the 20 minutes before the first instructional bell, the 20 minutes following the final instructional bell, or at recess. 

42.  Can I meet with other teachers to review student IPP's at the end of a term and do I complete IPP Reports to send home with students at the end of the term/semester?

  • PPT meetings are struck work under WTR.  You can certainly collaborate with an individual teacher to discuss programming options for students, but teachers may not meet as a group to program. Programming for students is to take place by individual teachers.  These teachers may wish to access support through the Resource teacher or a specialist.  No information may be inputted into TIENET or PowerSchool under WTR, but teachers may communicate with parents as they deem appropriate and final marks should be provided to students. Communication may take place electronically, on paper, by telephone or in person by the teacher during the instructional day.

43. Can I send home Scholastic Book orders?

o     No, NSTU members should only send home teacher-created forms which relate to the teacher's programming.  Teachers should not collect money or distribute books during WTR.

44. May teachers hold (Valentine) parties or allow an exchange of cards/eggs, etc?

o   While parties should not be held during WTR, teachers should continue to use creativity in delivering their programs. This could include a large variety of activities.  So long as you can connect the exchange of cards to an outcome, this exchange could occur during class.

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Outside Programming

  1. Are volunteers permitted to continue helping out in classrooms during instructional time?
    • No, during WTR, instructional time takes place at school only and is for teachers and students only.
  2. Can I tutor university students, private school students, or NSCC students?
    • Yes, however, the NSTU Operational Procedures prohibit tutoring of students affected by the strike action.
  3. Do I continue to do setup and coordinate the immunization clinic at my school?
    • No, immunization clinics may not involve NSTU members.  However students can be released from class to be immunized.
  4. Do fundraisers continue? We have a license to do a draw. Can students continue to sell tickets for the fundraiser?
    • NSTU members will not be involved whatsoever in fundraising for any school-related purpose. The NSTU is not directing students or others with respect to fundraising.
  5. Can I ask a Student Support Specialist from the Board to come in and show me how to use TIENET/PowerSchool/Gradebook?
    • Yes, you may request TIENET/PowerSchool/Gradebook training but you are not permitted to input or upload any data into the system.
  6. I’m a choreographer for a dance group. Can I still teach them? Can they use the gym at a school outside the instructional day?
    • It depends. Teachers are permitted to participate in activities on school premises outside of the instructional day provided that the activity is completely unrelated to school.
  7. Can we give homework to students?
    • Yes, teachers can continue to assign homework to students as the teacher deems appropriate.
  8. Are teachers allowed to administer the Fluoride Mouthrinse Program?
    • No, teachers will not administer fluoride to students.
  9. Does 8 AM band practice still go ahead?
    • It depends. In rare cases, teachers are scheduled to teach the Public School Program, for credit, outside the ordinary instructional time. Teachers will continue this during WTR. For clarity, this exception does not apply to extra-help, extra-curricular activities, or any instruction that is not ordinarily scheduled and for credit.
  10. Do IB Extended Essay Advisories continue?
    • Yes, but only during instructional time.
  11. What impact does WTR have on these two programs CEP and STEP?
    • Teachers of STEP and CEP will only attend to their responsibilities related to placement via email and calls during the instructional day. However, if the Board directs students to attend placements, please ask for this directive in writing.
  12. Are teachers allowed to stay after school to workout in the gym?
    • No, unless the gym is part of a community use facility open to the public.
  13. Do I still run my basketball programs outside of school hours?
    • It depends. Teachers are permitted to participate in activities on school premises outside of the instructional day provided that the activity is completely unrelated to school.
  14. Are we allowed to give direction to tutors on what to work on with their clients?
    • No, this would undermine the impact of the WTR job action.
  15. Is a parent who is also a teacher permitted to attend their child’s sporting event if it’s in a school?
    • Teachers are permitted to participate in activities on school premises outside of the instructional day provided that the activity is completely unrelated to school.
  16. Am I required to supervise a student completing a practicum (including a student completing an Educational Assistant program)?
    • No, NSTU members are not to accept, direct, or supervise anyone during a practicum.
  17. I’m a paid tutor (NS Home Tutoring Club). Do we stop tutoring as of December 5?
    • The NSTU Operational Procedures prohibit tutoring, by NSTU members, of students affected by the strike action. Teachers will continue to cooperate with Homebound Tutors and Board-Hired Tutors in the same manner as they did prior to WTR.
  18. Should members continue to complete course work for Master Programs, Certificates or other upgrades? What about programs that are not for upgrades? (i.e. ALP, ILP etc.)
    • Yes, however any practicums/activities that would occur in schools must be postponed until job action ceases.
  19. Is Board arranged Home Bound tutoring allowed to happen during WTR?
    • A Homebound Tutor is not an NSTU position, as compared to a Homebound Teacher which is an NSTU position held by a fully qualified teacher. During WTR, no NSTU member is permitted to tutor students.Therefore, Boards who choose to continue Homebound Tutoring must staff those positions with non-NSTU members.Teachers will continue to cooperate with Homebound Tutors and Board-Hired Tutors in the same manner as they did prior to WTR.
  20. Can a JOHSC meeting be held outside the instructional day?
    • JOHSC meetings must be scheduled during the instructional day.
  21. Can book buddies continue?
    • Teachers can use their discretion to collaborate with colleagues.
  22. Are Resource teachers expected to complete and send home resource reports during WTR?
    • No, teachers are to use their discretion in deciding whether to communicate with parents.
  23. Can I distribute items ordered by students (e.g., books) or as part of a fundraiser (e.g., oranges, cookie dough) prior to the start of WTR?
    • These items cannot be distributed by NSTU members.
  24. We are working on a sports event for May 2017. Should we stop planning?
    • You shall not participate in planning during WTR.
  25. If teachers receive funds for student supervision at lunchtime that they can spend on their classroom, can they still legally refuse to supervise at noon?
    • Yes, teachers are engaged in legal job action.
  26. A colleague is on maternity/parental/bereavement/sick leave. Can I collect money from the staff to provide a gift?
    • Yes, the WTR directive regarding collection of money is related to work activities only.
  27. Our learning center sends students out to a transition placement once a week. Would this be counted as a field trip?
    • Yes and it is prohibited for NSTU members.
  28. What do Co-op teachers do with regards to placement checks and at work assessment?
    • These PSP courses and programs will go forward within the instructional day.  Off site visits as deemed necessary by the teacher are allowed within the instructional day.
  29. There is uncertainty with regards to maintaining the school’s finances but not putting items into the school’s account program. Our school uses a fully digital format for recording all transactions, cutting cheques etc. What should be done on a go forward basis?
    • NSTU members should not be entering any financial data. However, you must ensure that school finances are maintained which may include delegating certain tasks to non-NSTU personnel.
  30. Can I meet with a representative of an outside agency concerning one of my students?
    • If an individual teacher deems it appropriate to meet with the representative, they may do so during the instructional day.
  31. I am a “Homebound Teacher”. My full-time NSTU assignment is to teach students in non-school settings. May I continue?
    • You may continue to do your regular work in the non-school setting, while still respecting the WTR directives.
  32. Should our Fairs, for example; Science, Heritage, Entrepreneur, etc., be cancelled?
    • Yes, this is struck work.
  33. There is a pilot program in my Board that requires teachers to meet during the instructional day – does this continue?
    • No. This would be a pilot initiative of either the Board or Department and teachers are not to attend any meetings of the Board or Department. PLCs, CLTs, student success planning, grade level, program planning, staff meetings, etc. are other examples of meetings that teachers are not to attend.
  34. I offer private lessons that are unrelated to and outside of work, can I continue?
    • Yes, as long as the activity is unrelated to teaching and your work.
  35. Are school assemblies allowed to continue?
    • No. Teachers are to focus on teaching their students the Public School Program in their classrooms.
  36. I am a principal and wondering if the after-school care program at my school is allowed to continue and if so, what is my role?
    • The Board is responsible for deciding the outcome of the after-school program. During WTR, you are not responsible for the after-school care program and are directed to leave the building 20 minutes after the end of the instructional day.
  37. I have a student who has swimming embedded in their Individual Program Plan – does this continue?
    • If an IPP contains a goal or outcome that would require an NSTU member to act contrary to the work-to-rule directives, then the NSTU member’s involvement in that goal or outcome would cease during the work-to-rule job action. NSTU members are not to approve, coordinate, organize, attend, or participate in any way, activities that take place off-site.
  38. Are O2 courses, such as food handlers courses still allowed as part of the curriculum because they have to bring in someone to certify the students? Does that count as a “guest speaker” or is that part of the curriculum?
    • Mandatory PSP health and safety training for COOP-O2 by non-NSTU instructors may occur, within the instructional day. 
  39. Can an NSTU member taking an NSELC sponsored program complete fieldwork in their school (e.g., walkthroughs, positive feedback to teachers)?
    • No, this is struck work.
  40. We often invite outside groups into our class, for example; Roots of Empathy, Big Brother Big Sisters. Can this continue during WTR?
    • No, guest speakers and non-teacher facilitators are not permitted during WTR.
  41. Will Article 60 committees still meet during WTR?
    • The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has advised that Article 60 meetings will cease during NSTU job action.
  42. Can my school collect for the foodbank/compete with other schools to collect for the foodbank during WTR?
    • NSTU members cannot participate, facilitate or organize food drives or fundraising during WTR.
  43. We do “exploratories” on certain afternoons, where students are grouped to do a non-PSP activities. Can these continue during WTR?
    • No. Members will focus exclusively on teaching the Public School Program during WTR and will not organize or facilitate these activities, even during instructional time.
  44. Some of my students walk to the University next door for an enrichment program during instructional time. Can this continue during WTR?
    • No. During instructional time, all students are to be under the supervision of NSTU members who are to teach the Public School Program.
  45. I am a teacher at an alternative school for at-risk youth. Our program is almost exclusively experiential. Does the prohibition on field trips apply to members at these sites?
    • The WTR directives apply to all public school NSTU members, including those who work at alternative schools. No field trips are permitted.
  46. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is planning to make a presentation to my students during instructional time. Can this happen during WTR?
    • No, guest speakers are not permitted during WTR.
  47. My school participates in the International Intern program. Can this continue?
    • No.
  48. My school participates in the Programme des moniteurs de français de la Nouvelle Ecosse. Can this continue?
    • Yes, if the teacher so desires.
  49. I teach All City Music in the HRSB, it is in my ordinary schedule but the program is extra-curricular, can I continue?
    • Yes, regularly scheduled classes can continue but student performances are restricted to within-class.
  50. Can staff social functions continue?
    • Yes.
  51. One of my students has regular visits from their Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist. Can these visits continue?
    • Yes, these interventions form part of the student’s medical plan and are necessary for the student’s health and safety.
  52. I’m a school psychologist with my own private practice. Are there any implications or concerns associated with continuing my private practice in the event of a full walk out?
    • No, there are no WTR directives with respect to this type of activity.
  53. Our learning center sends students out to a transition placement once a week. Would this be counted as a field trip?
    • Yes and it is prohibited for NSTU members.
  54. Are Resource teachers expected to complete and send home resource reports during WTR?
    • No, teachers are to use their discretion in deciding whether to communicate with parents.
  55. Can I ask an “expert” from the Board to come in and provide me with training/professional development?
    • Yes, you may request training/professional development as long as it is teacher-initiated.
  56. Can non-NSTU members (paid or volunteer) supervise students during the student’s lunch break?
    • Yes, pursuant to Board policies.
  57. Are outside agencies like Mental Health still able to come to our school to work with individual students and groups of students, as long as we do not facilitate other than providing space?
    • Yes.
  58. We have two new staff within our professional group that are not yet in the candidate register. As such, they require supervision from psychologists within our group to practice. Should this continue?
    • No. NSTU members are not to accept, direct, or supervise any student teachers.
  59. My Board provides a specific program (e.g., PATHS) to be used in the classroom, should I continue to use it?
    • Teachers are to use their own professional discretion in choosing resources in their lesson planning and teaching. However, if using a certain program or resource requires work or activities that are contrary to the work-to-rule directives, then that particular work or activity cannot continue during the work-to-rule job action.
  60. I am a substitute who tutors. Under what conditions can I tutor?
    • NSTU members, including active and active reserve members are prohibited from tutoring by Operation Procedures. If you are not a member, you are only permitted to tutor on days that you are not substitute teaching.
  61. Can I accept a student teacher?
    • No, supervision of all student teachers is struck work.
  62. Can a sub be provided for a teacher in order for them to get PD that they've requested from the Board (work with a specialist/coach/consultant for the day)? 
  • Yes.
  1. If a sub is provided can this PD happen at the Board office or should it happen at the school?
  • These meetings should only be at the request of the teacher and should take place at the school.
  1. What if a certain specialist/coach/consultant had several teachers ask for the same/similar PD, could several teachers go to the Board office to do this training together?
  • Such meetings should be initiated by an individual teacher.  Several teachers meeting together at the Board Office is considered contrary to the intention of WTR and would be considered struck work.

     65. Can NSTU members participate in primary registration process?  Can assessments by SLP’s etc. take place during Primary registration?

o    No, Primary Registration may not be facilitated by NSTU members under Work to Rule.  NSTU members must focus on delivering the PSP to their students.  NSTU specialists should not be conducting these assessments during WTR.

    66.  Can field trips continue?

o   No, teachers may not plan, organize or participate in field trips.  Only previously booked trips that have contracts involving money and travel outside the province will be allowed

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Exam and Report Card

  1. Our Board is asking teachers to administer the Department or Board mandated large-scale assessments or Board/School based common assessments?  Do we have too?
  • No, during WTR teachers are not to administer Department or Board mandated assessments.  Teachers should only administer and evaluate teacher created assessments, as they deem necessary.  Boards or school-based administrators cannot direct teachers to administer Department or Board mandated large-scale assessments.
  1. Can a teacher decide on what type of assessment to use to support student(s) assessment?
  • Yes, a teacher should make decisions on what type of summative evaluation is used.
  1. Can I be required to supervise or invigilate exams for my students or for students of other teachers?
  • Yes, as long as it takes place during the instructional day and outside of your marking and preparation time.
  1. Will there be a traditional Exam Week at high school?
  • This is a decision of School Boards.  WTR directives do not prohibit exam week from continuing.
  1. What is the expectation for calculating exam marks and final marks?
  • Teachers are expected to assess the learning of their students and provide students with an exam mark and a final mark.  Final marks should be provided to your administrator.  Marks cannot be uploaded using PowerSchool.
  1. Will I be expected to provide my students with a report card?
  • No, use of PowerSchool or TIENET cannot be used to generate report cards.  However, students can be provided final marks on paper.
  1. May I provide students with their academic transcripts upon request?
  • Yes, a guidance counsellor or administrator may provide transcripts.  However, the transcript can only reflect marks uploaded by NSTU members prior to WTR, unless updated by non NSTU members.
  1. I am a Department Head. I have been instructed by my principal to collect, review, and approve the exams of members in my Department. Should I still do this, or would this be considered "struck work"?
  • A teacher can request from their Department Head assistance in reviewing exams. However, a Department Head could not require this of teachers during WTR because how teachers assess and the assessment tool chosen are at the discretion of the individual teacher.
  1. Can administrators ask for teachers to submit 1st term marks prior to the end of exams?
  • It is not appropriate for a principal to require teachers to submit grades, other than a final 1st term mark.  It is appropriate for teachers to communicate with students and parents, as the teachers deem necessary.
  1. If I can't use PowerSchool, how should marks be calculated for end of term reports?  Also, how will Guidance Counsellors make course changes without the use of PowerSchool or TIENET?
  • It is up to individual teachers as to how they will calculate term-end marks.  Teachers are expected to assess the learning of their students and provide students with an exam mark and final mark. Final marks should be provided to the school administrator.  These marks cannot be uploaded using PowerSchool.  Students may be provided final marks on paper.  
  1. Will there still be exam exemptions for high school students?
  • Exam exemptions are covered by Department/Board policies.

     12. May I provide a list of marks to my administrator to facilitate exam exemptions prior to the end of my term?

  • Teachers are to provide the administrator only their final term mark and their exam marks.

     13.  Do I have to provide comments, attendance or fill out a learner profile for end of term reports?

o    During WTR, teachers will prepare and present administration with final marks.  They are under no obligation to provide additional information such as comments or learner profiles.   No additional data will be entered during Work to Rule.  Teachers may, but should not be directed to enter the final marks in a template prepared by the school.  NSTU directives remain in effect as this is a legal job action.

     14   Do I have to fill out comments for term end reports for IPP’s requested by others?

o     Teachers may wish to keep track of this information to help inform their own teaching, but the form should not be filled out for someone else on staff.   We are not to be providing such reports to other teachers or administrators under WTR.  Teachers may communicate with parents as they deem appropriate under WTR.

 Our Exam and Report Card FAQ's state that teachers need only to provide a final mark on paper to administrators.  Teachers should not provide report cards or comments.  As teachers may not feel a "final mark" is necessarily reflective of progress on an IPP, teachers are reminded that they may communicate with parents as they deem appropriate during the school day.  If the teacher feels further communication is needed with these parents, they may provide this communication either in person, by telephone, or on paper. 

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