Nova Scotia

Things for Nova Scotia students to do during teachers contract dispute

Shortly after the province announced it would be shutting down public schools on Monday, a number of community organizations, businesses and parents started coming up with plans for children.

McNeil government is closing all public schools to students starting Monday for an indefinite period

Kid with backpack gets on bus
Public schools across Nova Scotia will be closed to students Monday. (Associated Press)

Shortly after the Nova Scotia government announced it would be shutting down public schools on Monday, community organizations, businesses and parents started coming up with plans, places to go and things for children to do.

Although teachers will be in the classroom this week, public school students are out school for an undetermined amount of time

The province's education minister said the teachers union's plan to begin work-to-rule action plan would make for an unsafe environment at school. 

In response, a number of groups and businesses have posted information about activities and childcare options for students. Do you know of events and activities we have not included? Email us.

Things to do, places to go

  • Bricks 4 Kidz is offering day camps at Dalhousie University on Monday and Tuesday. The program involves building Lego projects and learning STEM concepts (science, technology, engineering and math). The program is for children ages five to 11. Email Mateo Yorke for more details.
  • Needham Recreation Centre in Halifax is offering a day camp starting Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It's $19 per child per day. To register, call 902-490-4633.
  • Potentials Yoga Studio on Prince Street in Sydney is offering childcare on Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for children ages five to 10 years old. The cost is $45 per child. Contact Bev Bryson by email or cell at 902-295-0414.
  • Sylvan Learning centres in Halifax and Dartmouth will be opening extra hours to offer academic and STEM programs (science, technology, engineering and math) for students of all ages starting Monday. Program costs $400 for the week. For more information, email or call 902-425-2223.
  • Atlantic Cirque is offering a day camp for children ages seven to 12 for $45 plus tax on Monday. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will teach skills like juggling, trampoline and acrobatics. Spots can be reserved online.
  • The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse in Halifax, anticipating a take-your-kids-to-work week, is offering free lunches on their kids menu for children going out to lunch with their parents. The offer is on from Dec. 5 to Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is a limit of two free kids lunches per adult.
  • The Canada Games Centre in Halifax will offer day camps starting at $35 per day if schools are closed beyond Monday. Details are on their website.
  • The Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro is offering a Monday day camp from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for children ages six to 12. The cost is $30 for non-members and $25 for members. 
    The Halifax Christian Academy is offering a day camp for public school children between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The cost is $35 per day. Parents can register by emailing their child's name and age.
  • A Halifax-area mother has created a Facebook group where parents can connect with one another to arrange child care plans.
  • The Party Patrol Event Company is organizing a week of day-long day camps at the Windsor Junction Community Centre from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It's for children ages six to 12 and costs $38 plus tax per child per day.
  • Halifax Christian Academy is offering a day camp starting Monday for public school students at its Armdale Campus on Downs Avenue. It runs from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and costs $35 per day or $30 per child if there is more than one child registered per family. You can register by emailing the academy at [email protected] with your child's name and age. Registration forms are at available here.

If there are some activities you think we should know about, tweet us @cbcns or post a comment below.