There are no Christmas concerts, Christmas door decorations or gingerbread houses, the union told Toronto’s Catholic elementary teachers.

There are no Christmas concerts. Christmas door decorating and gingerbread house decorating contests are not allowed.

Toronto’s union representing Catholic elementary teachers sent a memo to members this week with a reminder of what they can and cannot do this month given their continued work to govern – the sanctions the board called disappointing because “ We know how happy these activities make students and we are saddened that they do not happen for the second year in a row ”.

The president of the union, Julie Altomare-DiNunzio, acknowledged that “it is not pleasant or funny”, but said that its members “are also frustrated and I am sure that the parents too.”

But teachers have been without a local contract since 2019, he added, and “we don’t want this to go into the New Year.”

The union memo, obtained by The Star, says that “it is vital that all permanent members (of the Catholic teachers in Toronto elementary schools) continue to vigilantly participate and maintain the work strike to govern.”

Members of the local union, known as TECT, were further told that they are “prohibited from participating in, planning or assisting in extracurricular, school and volunteer activities. This includes, but is not limited to, activities such as school assemblies, name introductions for monthly virtue celebrations, participation in a virtual school Christmas concert, fundraising coaching activities, door decorating contests, and / or a gingerbread contest. “

Teachers, however, may attend Advent services or Mass, but not plan for them, the memo also advises.

Altomare-DiNunzio told the Star that teachers can choose to make a gingerbread house as part of a classroom activity, but they cannot participate in anything school-wide.

Some Catholic parents criticized elementary teachers last month after their labor action included basic report cards and no parent-teacher interviews.

Angela Kennedy, president of the Toronto Catholic District School Board, said that “we believe that the withdrawal (of the teachers) from services and their refusal to reach an agreement is unacceptable. Families and students have been left in the middle, after going through so much during the pandemic. “

Kennedy said the teachers’ labor action also includes a ban on testing for gifted students.

A teacher approached Star to tell her that she disagrees with the Christmas restrictions.

“It is Christmas and it is a time to celebrate during such a difficult time,” he said. “The mental health of the students should be paramount and virtual celebrations could be organized.”