“Helping Kids Through a Teachers’ Strike: Critical Grades to Watch”

“On Sept 10, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) notified the Government of potential job action starting October 6. With this in mind, we want to share which grade levels may be most at risk if there is an interruption in learning.”

📚 Early Elementary (K–3)

Why it matters:
- These years are foundational for reading, writing, and basic numeracy.
- Students at this stage need consistent, guided practice — falling behind early can have long-lasting effects on confidence and skill acquisition.
Consequences:
- A strike can delay reading fluency, which affects all later learning.
- Harder to “catch up” without structured, daily reinforcement.

🔑 Transition Years (Grades 6 & 9)

Grade 6
- Transitioning into middle school or junior high.
- Missing time here can make the adjustment to more independent learning harder.
Grade 9
- In many places, Grade 9 marks are the first ones that count toward high school placement or records.
- Gaps in math and literacy here can carry into the courses chosen for high school.

🎓 High School Milestones (Grades 11–12)

Why it matters:
- Students are preparing for graduation requirements, standardized exams, and post-secondary applications.
- Interruptions in these grades may directly affect admission to college, trades, or university.
Consequences:
- Lost prep time for diploma exams, SAT/ACT (if relevant), or AP/IB courses.
- Increased stress due to high stakes.

🧩 Special Notes

Students with learning differences (any grade)
- Consistency and routine are crucial — interruptions can set progress back more than for peers.
Language learners (ELL students)
- Daily exposure to structured language practice is especially important in early and middle grades.

What Parents Can Do.

Gather information and stay connected

Ask the school to provide the curriculum plan for the year, or at least for the first few months, along with study resources..
Keep up-to-date with reliable sources (school board, teachers’ union, district communication).
Make sure the school has current contact info (email, phone) so you can get alerts about closures or updates.
Find out exactly what a strike means in your area: Are certain services (meals, childcare, special education supports) still being offered? What is being suspended?

What Sylvan Learning Can Do.

How Sylvan Can Help During Critical Grades.
At Sylvan Learning, we know how important these milestone grades are for your child’s future success. Whether it’s building strong foundations in reading and math (K–3), preparing for junior high transitions (Grade 6 & 9), or supporting high school students with diploma exam readiness (Grades 11–12), we can step in to keep learning on track. Our personalized tutoring ensures your child doesn’t lose momentum, even if school schedules are interrupted.