Alberta is currently facing a potential teacher strike, and many families are feeling the uncertainty of what this could mean for their children’s education. While the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) has rejected a four-year deal, the government has stepped up with a solid plan to support students and parents alike.

The silver lining? A payment program is here to help alleviate some of the financial pressure that families may face during this time. For every student aged 12 and under affected by the strike, parents can receive $30 a day or $150 a week. This support will begin on October 31, ensuring families have a little extra help for childcare and educational activities.

Worried about your child’s learning? Don’t be! Alberta Education has created an online learning toolkit that provides resources aligned with K-12 curriculum, including subjects like language arts and math. This toolkit is designed to keep kids engaged and learning from home while schools are closed.

The government is also investing significantly in addressing classroom challenges. Even as negotiations continue, it plans to allocate $100 million annually to hire new educational assistants to support teachers and students in increasingly complex classrooms.

If you want to prepare in advance, visit alberta.ca/alberta-ca-account to set up a verified account so you can apply for the payment program when it's available.

Remember, the goal is to support our kids and families during this uncertain time. Stay tuned for more updates!