With news that longtime mediator Vince Ready is wading into the education dispute, it's possible that classes will begin on schedule after labour day.
In the meantime, local organizations are preparing for what may be an extended strike into the fall.
"We know that we're probably going to have to do something, but what exactly that is, we're not certain," said Dave Ellenwood, director of parks and recreation with the City of Burnaby.
The department runs day camps and specialized programming through the summer, and Ellenwood says some of those may be brought back in September for parents looking for activities for children who would otherwise be in classes.
"We're discussing the possibility of extended day-long activities, and we also have some drop-ins that will pick up some of the slack," he added.
Ellenwood notes that they have auxiliary staff and contract instructors that can be brought in as required, but the challenge could be finding the space.
"The issue for us, if that happens, is availability of facilities - many of the spaces at our community centres are used during the day for seniors' programs."
But, right now, it's all wait-and-see, he notes.
"Of course, we're not sure yet what will happen. ... We can probably react on an ad hoc basis. There's not a fully developed plan because there's so much uncertainty."
Ellenwood says parents hoping to make plans can check out their local community centres closer to September, but that the fastest way to get information is through the city's website (www.burnaby.ca) or through their social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook.
Burnaby Village Museum has already announced that they've set up a series of day camps in the event that schools are not in session.
Currently the camps are set up to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with an extension to 4:30 p.m. if needed, for the first two weeks of September.
Local community-based organizations are also hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.
At Burnaby Neighbourhood House, program director Sarah Shaw says they will hopefully run their usual before-and-after school care programs as full-day programs.
"We will have our centres open, but the challenge is if we're allowed to access our buildings - our programs are all at schools in the district," she said, noting that picket lines may affect their ability to use those spaces.
"If we have access to them, they will be running full days at our normal licensing capacity."
But without knowing for sure if the strike will continue or the impact it may have on their usual child-care spaces, she said they're not certain what will happen.
"We're still figuring it all out. Until we have definitive word, it's likely to be last minute to know either way," she said.
Parents who use their programs have already been calling in preparation for September, she noted.
Local child and youth sports clubs and businesses may also set up day camps; the websites for the 4Cats Arts Studios in both Capitol Hill and Burnaby South already feature a "teachers' strike" button, though specific programming hasn't yet been posted.
On Wednesday it was announced that Ready was meeting with both sides to determine if mediation was possible. The teachers and the employer have agreed to halt public discussions while he is meeting with them.
