Hoopla 2020, band trips could be cancelled if no agreement between STF and province by Thursday

The cessation of all extracurricular or volunteer activities involving teachers in Saskatchewan beginning Thursday could have a huge impact on students.

That includes major events, like regional basketball finals taking place this weekend and the 2020 Hoopla provincial basketball championships taking place in Regina on March 19-21.

Saskatoon Public Schools spokesperson Veronica Baker says the events would likely be cancelled.

“There are a number of events coming up and of course — I don’t want to say all — but the vast majority are led by teachers who would be coaching, who are volunteering their time and providing it, to be leading these teams,” Baker said.

“So there are a number of things like the city championship basketball playoffs are to run this weekend, and then from there, they would move on to the provincial championships, Hoopla, the following weekend … so right there is a major impact.”

Baker said simply that if coaches aren’t available for organizing and running the events, they cannot go ahead.

That said, she emphasizes the situation is a fluid one.

“Nothing is officially cancelled … and I guess we could see things change,” she said. “But if sanctions are in place as of Thursday, then we’ll start to see some cancellation of some major events for schools.”

Band trips or performances, and club meetings in both elementary and high schools before or after school would also likely be cancelled.

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) has made it clear, however, that events normally taking place during school hours including recess, lunch and bus supervision will continue.

Parent-teacher conferences already booked are considered student-led events, according to the STF, and will also go ahead in both Regina and in Saskatoon.

Letters will be sent to parents Tuesday, informing them of the potential impact on their children.

At this point, no new talks are scheduled between the province and teachers.