ZaheaHalabi

We're now into the second week of Edmonton Public Schools support staff strike and as you would expect the ripple effects are being felt by many. Students and families, especially special needs students and their families may feel it most. Diana Halabi’s twelve-year-old daughter Zahea is non-verbal and requires help with everything from the minute Zahea gets off the school bus until she gets back on it. Zahea can’t attend school in person because there is nobody to support her.

Both CUPE Local 3550 President Mandy Lamoureux and Alberta Teachers’ Association president Jason Schilling say they have heard similar stories from others. Lamoureux said the union got word Tuesday morning that the school board wants to return to the bargaining table as early as Thursday.