The Victorian branch of the Australian Education Union expects more than 30,000 public school teachers, principals and other education staff to go on strike for 24 hours on Tuesday.
The union and state Labor government remain far apart on a new pay deal after an offer of 18.5 per cent increase over four years was rejected.
The union is demanding a 35 per cent increase along with measures to address excessive workloads and ongoing staffing shortages.
Education Minister Ben Carroll last week assured schools would remain open but parents of some schools have been warned a lack of staff will impact classes.
In a note to parents, a school in Melbourne's outer east said 44 staff members planned to strike, including 27 classroom teachers and 10 specialist teachers.
"In light of this, we request that you make alternative arrangements for your child/children," the school's acting principal wrote.
"We understand that critical service workers or families with special circumstances may be unable to make such alternative arrangements.
"Due to the reduced number of staff onsite, the school will operate a supervision only program for those students who attend on the day."
Only four of 34 classes will run at a nearby primary school and students in a raft of grades are "not required" at another school in the city's north.
Premier Jacinta Allan, whose children attend public school, said she was unaware of the memos to parents.
"My kids have been told that there will be programs at school tomorrow," she told reporters on Monday morning.
"That is the advice that the education department is giving to families across the state."
However, Ms Allan acknowledged the strike would cause inconvenience for families and called for the union to cancel at the 11th hour and return to the negotiating table.
"A deal can be done here," she said.
"We want to stay there at the table, to continue those negotiations but they've walked away."
The union didn't appear to have had second thoughts on striking for the first time in more than 13 years.
"Victorian teachers, principals and support staff would much rather be in the classroom teaching Victorian students (on Tuesday). But because of the disrespect from the Allan government, they are having to stop work for 24 hours," Victorian branch president Justin Mullaly said.
"If the Allan Labor government really values the work of Victorian teachers, principals and education support staff, they must come forward with an offer that addresses their real concerns."
Public schools will also close in Tasmania over three days as teachers strike in their battle for improved pay and conditions.
Stop-work action will begin in the state's northwest on Tuesday, followed by the north on Wednesday and the south including Hobart on Thursday.
The teachers' union, which has escalated industrial action over several months, recently thumbed their nose at a three-year pay deal.
There have been widespread public sector strikes in Tasmania over recent months, with the Liberal government planning to cut 2500 state servant jobs to rein in growing budget debt.
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