The province says teachers in Ontario's public elementary schools may slowly be returning to after-school activities.

Education Minister Liz Sandals says she's hearing specifically about low-profile volunteering such as helping to tutor or organizing family nights at school.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has been advising union members to continue their boycott of extra curriculars as they talk with the province. This stems from the union's anger over legislated teachers contracts.

More discussions are scheduled after March break.

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) has asked its teachers to return back to helping out with sports and after-school clubs. Sandals says she has heard they might be back in high schools soon after the break ends.

ETFO President Sam Hammond was not available for comment. Union spokesperson Valerie Dugale would only say talks are continuing.