With negotiations in the teachers' strike seemingly at an impasse and the scheduled start of Grade 12 only days away, Argyle secondary student Josh Johnson isn't sure how he'll spend September if the strike isn't resolved.
"It's definitely going to be a major setback for me," he said. "My parents can't afford private school, so that's not an option."
Johnson blames both sides, but places the burden of resolving the strike on the province.
"I don't think that the teachers are looking out for students, nor should they be - I think that's the government's job and they're not doing a very good job."
While Johnson frets over damage to his university prospects, many parents are wondering where to put their children if school doesn't start next Tuesday.
After offering daily camps for 100 children in the event the strike continues next week, the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission watched nearly every slot fill up within days of opening registration.
There are plans to create space for another 30 children beginning Sept. 8, according to Anne Rodgers, communications specialist for the commission.
The camps will continue throughout September if no agreement is reached between the teachers and province.
"If school is back in session, they'll get full refunds," Rodgers said.
Daycares on the North Shore are fielding more calls from hopeful parents than usual, according to Carolyn Peters, the owner of Park Place Daycare.
"I would gladly open another room if I had one. I just don't," she said.
There's also no room at Little Rascals daycare in North Vancouver, according to centre supervisor Jennifer Smallman.
"We are fielding quite a few calls from parents," she said. "We are at capacity."
With two children at Windsor secondary, including a "really stressed" Grade 12 student, Smallman is hopeful public opinion will put pressure on both sides to reach a resolution.
The $40 a day stipend offered by the province to parents with children younger than 13 could be better spent, according to Smallman.
"(The money) would go a long way with a tutor, but they're not offering anything to the parents who need that."
Ross Road elementary parent Jessica Stanley describes the $40 payout as a "buy off" that's of limited use to many parents, because it will only be paid after the strike is ended.
Stanley has made arrangements for family members to help take care of her two young children, but knows many parents are struggling.
"I feel for the parents who need to work and will have to pay for and make other childcare arrangements, because that is really expensive."
The government's negotiating stance sends a troubling message, according to Stanley.
"If our government's not willing to fund our education. .. what does that communicate to our children?" she asked.
Stanley said she hopes teachers will stay at the bargaining table until class size and composition issues are addressed.
"I'm willing to deal with the short-term frustration in the hopes of the betterment of my children's education," she said.
Both Stanley and West Vancouver parent Jaime Perez are frustrated with the strike, but for different reasons.
Last year, Perez's son went to school in Saskatchewan while taking part in intensive hockey training. This year, his son decided to come back and finish high school at Sentinel with his friends.
"We regret it now," he said.
Teachers should demonstrate on the street, vote for a different premier, or do anything except strike, according to Perez.
"I wish the government could do something; force them back, fire them, dissolve the union," he said.
While he's hopeful a deal can be struck, Perez said the government shouldn't cave, because that would encourage other unions to ask for more money.
Perez is one of many parents who have hired tutors in the hopes of keeping their children sharp while the strike continues.
After the walkouts caused a dip in business last June, Tutor Doctor North Shore has been fielding extra calls for math and English tutoring, according to operations manager Tiffany Sung.
Facing increased demand from parents, staff at Marine Drive Math and Science Centre rolled out a new a daytime course set to start Sept. 3, according to owner Karen Hilton.
Within three hours of sending an email alerting parents of the course, 10 students were enrolled and another 23 applied.
"I haven't a clue what I'm going to do because I can't accommodate them all," Hilton said.
