UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Westwind Schools Closed – ATA Strike Oct. 6

Westwind Schools to Close October 6 Due to ATA Strike

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This letter serves as official notification that the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) has issued strike notice. A full-scale strike involving all ATA members will begin on Monday, October 6, 2025.

Effective Monday, October 6, 2025, all schools in Westwind School Division will be closed to students until further notice.

The following conditions will be in effect for the duration of the strike:

• Instruction: All student instruction, both in-person and online, will be suspended. Teachers will not assign or assess student work.

• School Buildings: All school buildings and properties will be closed to students.  Access will be permitted to community joint-use programs.

• Transportation: All school bus services will be cancelled.

• Staffing: Teachers, principals, and other ATA members will not be present in schools. Support staff, including educational assistants, administrative staff, librarians and custodians, will continue to report to work. 

• Activities: All athletics, fine arts programs, extracurricular activities, and school-related events will be suspended from the start of the strike and remain suspended until the end of the strike period. 

Westwind School Division is governed by the provincial collective bargaining process. The duration of this strike is currently unknown. 

The Alberta Government has implemented learning resources and financial compensation to assist parents/guardians of students during the strike period. Please see Alberta.ca for more information. 

For more information and answers to common questions, families are encouraged to visit the division’s Alberta Teachers’ Association Labour Action and FAQ webpages. 

For urgent matters not addressed in the FAQ, please contact the Westwind School Division central office (403) 653-4991 or email wsd.pr@westwind.ab.ca. 

Sincerely,

Darren Mazutinec

Superintendent