There may be hope for students facing the loss of their extra curricular activities due to the labour tensions between teachers and the province.

Unions are recommending teachers refuse to do extra work such as coaching sports teams, heading up school clubs and offering extra tutoring.

Jennifer Adams is the director of education for the Ottawa Carleton District School Board.

She tells 1310News, for schools in her board, there are options.  

“Our policy and procedure with the school district does allow for volunteer coaches”.

Adams tells 1310News that in “exceptional” circumstances they can pursue that avenue, although the process is not quick. 

“The community coach has to be certified in the particular sport he or she is volunteering in.   There has to be consultation with the school council.   The principal goes through all the security checks including a police check”.

She does say there is some time as registration of high school sports doesn’t start until next week.

Meanwhile, about 100 students at Sir Robert Borden High School on Greenbank Road demonstrated outside their school at lunch, decked out in school colours and waving signs that said “we’re people, not pawns” and “I’m pro-student, are you?” while chanting “we want our sports!”