OCT Fees Due Today: Call For Candidates; Paid PD with Dinner at the Lamplighter Inn; Provincial ETFO OT Conference; Lost Prep Periods

 

Your Ontario College of Teachers annual membership fee of $200 must be paid no later than today, April 17th. Those who were in a LTO assignment at the beginning of January had their fee remitted by TVDSB so check your paystub to ensure it has been paid. Otherwise you will no longer be certified. N.B. Those who are late will be charged an additional penalty of $130.

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CALL FOR CANDIDATES for TVOT Local Executive positions -

Have you considered running for a position on the ETFO Thames Valley Occasional Teachers’ Executive? Members at the TVOT Spring Annual Meeting select their Local Executive each year.  

Why not join your Executive team and find out what is going on – you can make a difference!

Meetings are typically held one afternoon a month at our TVOT Office. (LTOs are released from their assignments to attend.)

Elections to be held May 23, 2024 at the Lamplighter Inn for the following positions:

President – two year term, full-time position; legal spokesperson and representative of Local; Grievance Officer; liaison/ member of all committees; signing officer; attends all Provincial Rep. Councils, ETFO Annual Meeting, other ETFO meetings in Toronto Local Constitution 7.2.1  Candidates must have a minimum of two (2) years of Local Executive experience Local Constitution 9.1.2

First Vice-President – two year term; assists the President, coordinates preparation of the newsletter, attends committees: Local Constitution 7.2.2 Candidates must have a minimum of two (2) years of Local Executive experience: Local Constitution 9.1.2

Second Vice-President – two year term; assists the President and First Vice-President and acts as liaison to the P.D. Committee: Local Constitution 7.2.3 Candidates must have a minimum of two (2) years of Local Executive experience: Local Constitution 9.1.2

Secretary – two year term; records, prepares and circulates accurate minutes of past and present Executive and General Membership Meetings: Local Constitution 7.2.4

Treasurer – two year term; maintains financial records, pays expenses of the Local as signing officer, drafts budget and reports to Executive and membership: Local Constitution 7.2.5

Health and Safety Officer – two year term; acts as liaison with the Board’s Joint Health and Safety Committee, the Local Executive and general membership; conducts annual audits of schools and participates in all applicable training: Local Constitution 7.2.7

Executive Members at Large (4) – one year term; great learning position with duties as determined by the Executive: Local Constitution 7.1.1 – 7.1.13

Chief Negotiator - remains in office until new agreement ratified; negotiates the collective agreement; maintains agreement and reports to membership: Local Constitution 7.2.6 and 7.3.4

Collective Bargaining Committee (President, Chief Negotiator and 4-5 others) - remains in office until new agreement ratified; collects information from membership and prepares Local preliminary submission: Local Constitution 7.3.4

ETFO Provincial Annual Meeting Delegates (8) Alternates (5) – 11 to attend, with pool from which vacancies can be filled; Meeting in Toronto August 12-15, 2024 (costs paid): Local Constitution 10.1 – 10.6

Candidate Forms are posted on the Local website: www.etfotvotcom .

The deadline for receipt of Candidate Forms is Friday, May 3, 2024 at 5 PM.

Registration for the TVOT Annual Meeting opens next week!

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Still time to join us for Paid PD with dinner on Tuesday, April 30/24, 4:30 PM at the Lamplighter Inn.

Sessions include:

- The Progression of Patterning in Elementary

- Keeping the "A" in STEAM  

- Documenting Learning in Kindergarten 

Register in the TVDSB Employee Portal > Conference/Session Registration where you can find out more about each workshop'

Please notify the Local if you cannot attend as there is often a waiting list and we don't wish to use members' money paying for meals that are wasted.

Should an Administrator ask you to give up the prep period on your daily or LTO schedule

in order to cover a class etc., the Local asks that you take note of the date, the school, the time of the scheduled prep period and the number of minutes that were lost. In previous years, the Local has successfully negotiated payment for such lost time so we encourage members to track losses again this school year. Remember - a right gained, is never a right secured. We must all remain vigilant.

More in-person paid PD dinners; Notice to new Grads awaiting OCT; Fees are due; ETFO Bursaries;

 

Another in-Person Paid PD with dinner on Tuesday, April 30/24, 4:30 PM.

Join us at the Lamplighter Inn for dinner and workshops such as: 

- The Progression of Patterning in Elementary - This workshop will focus on how to connect the different types of patterning that are taught throughout the grades in mathematics to see how they set the foundation for linear growing patterns in intermediate grades.

- Keeping the "A" in STEAM - This hands-on workshop will show  you practical, low-cost and easy to use ideas that will allow you to blend digital arts, visual arts, drama and dance into your math and science lessons making it fun and understandable for reluctant learners. 

- Documenting Learning in Kindergarten - This interactive workshop will provide Teachers with the opportunity to explore documentation and the ways in which it supports students' learning. Develop your skills for the ongoing collection of evidence of student growth that builds on your initial observations. 

Register in the TVDSB Employee Portal > Conference/Session Registration. 

Please notify the Local if you cannot attend as there is often a waiting list and we don't wish to use members' money paying for meals that are wasted.

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You may be entitled to compensation if you were a recent graduate awaiting certification from the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT).

As of September 2019, if you were a recent graduate who had fulfulled all of your requirements, applied to OCT but were awaiting a response, then according to the terms of the Collective Agreement, you are entitled to an adjustment to your pay. 

Please send documentation to Jessica Fox at j.fox@tvdsb.ca and allow up to 7 days for a response.

This applies also to current new graduates who have applied to OCT and are awaiting certification. (This does not apply to those awaiting interim/transitional certification from OCT.)

For more information, contact your OT Local at etfotvot@gmail.com or TVDSB Staffing Supervisor Clare MacMillan at clare.macmillan@tvdsb.ca.

Sunday is the final day for TVOT members to take advantage of their Columbia Outlet Store invitation.

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OCT Fees are due  by April 17th and must be paid if TVOT members want to continue teaching as a certified Occasional Teacher in Ontario. Those who were in a LTO assignment at the beginning of January have had their $200 fee remitted by TVDSB as noted on their paystub. N.B. Those who pay  late are charged an additional penalty of $130.

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The ETFO Scholarships and Bursaries application period opens in January and ends April 30 each year. Here are the scholarship and bursary criteria.  Visit https://www.etfo.ca/about-us/awards-scholarships/etfo-scholarships-and-bursaries for application details.

Bachelor of Education Bursaries – For Children of ETFO members: Bursaries are offered annually to children of an active ETFO member entering a bachelor of education program in a faculty of education at a publicly funded university/institution in Ontario. Up to 12 bursaries of $500 and a Certificate of Recognition may be granted.

Doctoral Scholarship: This scholarship may be offered to active ETFO members to study at the doctoral level at a publicly funded university/institution in Ontario. One award of $2,500 and a Certificate of Recognition may be granted.

Doctoral Scholarship – Women’s Program: This scholarship may be offered to active ETFO women members to study at the doctoral level at a publicly funded university/institution in Ontario. One award of $2,500 and a Certificate of Recognition may be granted.

ETFO Black Educator Bursary (open to non-ETFO members): ETFO offers this bursary annually to support an individual who identifies as Black, who is entering their first year in a publicly funded faculty of education program in Ontario, as a full-time student. A bursary of $12,500 and a Certificate of Recognition may be granted. This bursary is not intended to support a master’s or doctorate program.

ETFO Black Educator Bursary - Women’s Program (open to non-ETFO members): ETFO offers this bursary annually to support an individual who identifies as a Black woman, who is entering their first year in a publicly funded faculty of education program in Ontario, as a full-time student. A bursary of $12,500 and a Certificate of Recognition may be granted. This bursary is not intended to support a master’s or doctorate program.

ETFO Bursaries – For members of designated groups (open to ETFO members/non-ETFO members): Bursaries are offered annually to members of designated groups who are entering a faculty of education at a publicly funded university/institution in Ontario or ETFO members of designated groups who are taking a qualification/upgrading course at a publicly funded university/institution in Ontario. Up to eight bursaries of up to $625 and a Certificate of Recognition may be granted. This award is not intended to support a master’s or doctorate program.

ETFO Bursaries – For members of designated groups – Women’s Program (open to ETFO members/non-ETFO members): Bursaries are offered annually to women members of designated groups who are entering a faculty of education at a publicly funded university/institution in Ontario or ETFO women members of designated groups who are taking a qualification/upgrading course at a publicly funded university/institution in Ontario. Up to eight bursaries of up to $625 and a Certificate of Recognition may be granted. This award is not intended to support a master’s or doctorate program.

ETFO Member Bursaries: Bursaries are offered annually to members who are entering a faculty of education or who are taking a qualification/upgrading course at a publicly funded university/institution in Ontario. Up to eight bursaries of up to $625 and a Certificate of Recognition may be granted. This award is not intended to support a master’s or doctorate program.

First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Professional Learning Bursary: This bursary may be offered annually to an active ETFO member who is taking an FNMI-focused additional qualification course from a publicly funded university/institution in Ontario, an FMNI professional learning course or attending an FNMI workshop/conference. Up to two bursaries of $750 and a Certificate of Recognition may be granted.

First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Women in Education – Women’s Program (open to ETFO members/non-ETFO members): ETFO offers this bursary annually to First Nations, Métis and Inuit women who are entering a publicly funded faculty of education in Ontario, or ETFO First Nations, Métis and Inuit women members who are taking a qualification/upgrading course from a publicly funded university/institution in Ontario. Up to four bursaries of up to $1,250 and a Certificate of Recognition may be granted. This award is not intended to support a master’s or doctorate program.

First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Women's Scholarship – Women’s Program

ETFO offers this scholarship annually to First Nations, Métis and Inuit women who are entering their first year of a full-time undergraduate degree at an accredited university in Ontario. Up to two scholarships of $12,500 and a Certificate of Recognition may be granted. This award is not intended to support a master’s or doctorate program.

Learning and Leadership Bursary – Women’s Program: This bursary may be offered annually to an active ETFO woman member who is pursuing professional learning and leadership opportunities through an additional qualification course from a publicly funded university/institution in Ontario, a professional learning leadership course or attending a leadership workshop/conference. Up to two bursaries of $625 and a Certificate of Recognition may be granted.

Master’s Scholarship: This scholarship may be offered to active ETFO members to study at the master’s level at a publicly funded university/institution in Ontario. Up to four awards of $1,250 and a Certificate of Recognition may be granted.

Master’s Scholarship – Women’s Program: This scholarship may be offered to active ETFO women members to study at the master’s level at a publicly funded university/institution in Ontario. Up to four awards of $1,250 and a Certificate of Recognition may be granted.

RTIP offers the most flexible health, dental and travel insurance with 3 plans to choose from to help you make the most of your retirement. Find out which plan is right for you and apply online: https://bit.ly/3TEFwOl #OTIPUpdate

 

OCT fees due; Bill 124 Remedy; Check your Pay;

Did you know that:

- your OCT annual membership fee of $200 must be paid no later than April 17th. Those who were in a LTO assignment at the beginning of January have had their fee remitted by TVDSB as noted on your paystub. N.B. Those who are late will be charged an additional penalty of $130.

- Teachers (includes LTOs and daily OTs) who are charged with a criminal offence (excluding most offences under the Highway Traffic Act), must report these charges and any restrictions to OCT on a form which is available at www.oct.ca/members/forms under Member Reporting Obligations. There is no such obligation to report a charge to the employer.

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The Bill 124 remedy will be applied to all ETFO salary grids and wages, including daily and LTO Occasional Teacher rates, retroactive to the 2019-2020 school year. The result will be a lump sum payment plus a permanent increase to income, both of which are pensionable and will be subject to the usual deductions by the Employer. This includes income tax.

Please be aware that the salary increase negotiated in this last round by Provincial ETFO will be separate - that amount will not be known until the end of arbitration which is now scheduled to begin in mid-April of this year.

TVDSB Occasional Teachers will be paid the following daily rate for the period from September 1, 2019 - August 31, 2020 per the remedy: 

• $243.15 (shown on pay stub as $233.80 + $9.35 vacation pay of 4% on separate line)

TVDSB Occasional Teachers will be paid the following daily rate for the period from September 1, 2020 - August 31, 2021 per the remedy:

• $247.41 (shown on pay stub as $237.90 + $9.51 vacation pay of 4% on separate line)

TVDSB Occasional Teachers will be paid the following daily rate for the period from September 1, 2021 - August 31, 2022 per the remedy:

• $256.69 (shown on pay stub as $246.82 + $9.87 vacation pay of 4% on separate line)

If you were in a LTO during those school years, your per diem is 1/194 of the salary grid below, recognizing that part-time FTE assignments must be pro-rated and that approved sick leave exceeding 11 days was paid at 90 per cent salary. This salary grid does include the 4% vacation pay:

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TVOT members are urged to frequently check their pay stubs (available in the TVDSB  Employee Portal) for any errors.  Under the terms of Article L7.12 of our Collective Agreement, there is a time limit of 12 months for the Board to address any underpayments or overpayments.

N.B. No daily Occasional Teacher will be paid for less than a half day, as provided by Article L7.03. 

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Protect your home from basement flooding

After a cold winter, the springtime is a welcome change. But with the longer days and warmer weather comes new challenges. The potential for flooding increases as the snow melts and heavy rain falls. Canadians are experiencing more floods than ever before. According to the Government of Canada, flooding has increased 300% since the 1960s. But many homeowners haven't taken the proper steps to protect themselves or their properties. No matter what area you live in, flooding can happen to you. Don't wait for the water – take these proactive steps to minimize your risk of a flood damaging your home.

Read more at www.otip.com/article180. #OTIPUpdate

Your TVOT Local reminds members to keep track of any lost prep periods (date, school, class and minutes lost) as the Local is working to once again negotiate that members receive compensation for this violation of our Collective Agreement.

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Demystifying Responsible Investing: what you need to know

“Sustainable”. “Green”. “Ethical”. “Responsible”.

Although described in many different ways, investing in funds or companies that reflect your beliefs and values has been one of the fastest-growing investment trends in recent years. Around the world, investors expect to increase the share of sustainably invested assets from 18% to 37% by 2025.

 If you’re one of the many investors interested in supporting environmental, social, and corporate governance causes, here’s what you need to know: https://bit.ly/494oGxS.

Participate in our survey for a chance to win! Your opinions matter to us. In partnership witj OTIP, we've created a short survey to seek your feedback. Complete our short Spring Survey for a chance to WIN one of ten $50 gift cards* of your choice. But hurry, you only have until May 17, 2024: https://bit.ly/4a55dyh

* Read the rules and regulations: https://bit.ly/3VyrkJ7

 Brought to you by Educators Financial Group. Trusted by over 16,000 education members and their families to meet their financial goals. Book your complimentary consultation today: https://bit.ly/4awHfMp.

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Win an iPad! April 8th Virtual Paid PD; Columbia Outlet Invitation; TVDSB Mandatory Online Training; New ETFO Anti-Racism Online Resource

 

Just 2 days left to win one of 10 iPads!

Take 3 minutes to complete the ETFO Provincial 2023-2024 All-Member Survey and you could win one of 10 iPads!   If you need assistance with the survey please contact ETFO Member Records at memberrecords@etfo.org.

All responses remain confidential so click https://ncv.microsoft.com/rHaevAlvTJ for your chance to win!

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Paid Paid PD sessions for April 8th are now available for registration in the TVDSB Employee Portal under the Elementary Occasional Teacher PD conference. Each session counts as a half-day of teaching.  

Sessions include:  

• · "Culturally Relevant and Responsive Approaches for Affirming Student Identities" (virtual)
• ·  "Surviving and Thriving as an OT in the FSL classroom" (virtual)
• ·  " Unlocking Creative Teaching Tools" (virtual)

 For questions about eligibility for paid PD, please contact Terri Manning in Staff Development at t.manning@tvdsb.ca . 

Register in the TVDSB Employee Portal under Conference / Session Registrations > Elementary Occasional Teacher PD. 

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- Article L18.05 entitles all OTs/LTOs to a lunch break of no less than 40 consecutive minutes.

- Article L16.05(a) says that the Board will provide a minimum of 2 hours notice of cancellation of any pre-arranged daily assignment, otherwise the OT will be paid for the full assignment.

- Article L7.03 remuneration paid to daily OTs will be pro-rated for assignments less than a full day however, the minimum a daily OT will be paid is for one-half day.

- Article L18.02 confirms that a daily OT follows the timetable of the Teacher they are replacing. (same prep period and no additional duties)

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TVDSB Annual Mandatory Online Training will be open April 1, 2024 and must be completed by all OTs/LTOs by June 28/24 for payment. Completion is a condition of employment. N.B. LTOs may have already covered some of these modules in staff meetings during their assignment.

To access the modules, log into the Employee Portal > Employee Training (right hand side) and complete those modules listed as "2023 - 2024 OTE Required Training".

The modules this year are:

• Anaphylaxis
• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Concussion
• Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls
• October - Fire Code
• Video 1 Awareness
• Employee Incident Reporting and Safe School Incident Reporting
• Safe Schools and Employee Incident Reporting Decision Tool Flowchart 
• Hazard Awareness Training
• Domestic Violence 
• WHMIS
• Cyber Security Part 1 and Part 2
• Privacy Training

The Annual Offence Declaration, and ITS Security Declaration must be completed by August 31, 2024.

Payment will show in TVARRIS as HR1 with payment taking place July 12th.

Be sure to press submit after completing each module. If it has been recorded, the checkmark will still be there when you next log in.

RETIREES: If you have not reserved a day for this training, please contact Terri Manning  t.manning@tvdsb.ca in Staff Development to discuss your options.

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Provincial ETFO has created a new online Teacher resource, "Race Matters: Teaching Students to be Race Conscious" designed to help primary, junior and intermediate classes examine race, racism and anti-black racism. Access this new resource at www.etfo.ca Secure > Classroom Resources. 

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Lamplighter Inn paid PD Event and Dinner; Your Collective Agreement; Columbia Outlet invitation; Withdrawing students from EQAO; Check your payslips; Occasional Teacher retention crisis

Some spots are still available for our March 27th paid PD event and dinner being held at the Lamplighter Inn in London from 4:30 - 7:30 PM. Each session counts as a half-day of teaching for those that are eligible to participate. (Contact Terri Manning in Staff Development at t.manning@tvdsb.ca if you have questions).

Our "Kindergarten Literacy" session is fully booked but TVOT members can still register for either:

- "Unlocking Assessment for Learning: how to use leraning goals, success criteria, evidence and feedback to transform student learning" or

 - "Reaching and Teaching Them All: making quick and lasting connections with every student in your classroom". 

We look forward to meeting you there.

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Are you aware that your Collective Agreement states:

- L7.03   Remuneration paid to Occasional Teachers will be pro-rated for assignments to positions on less than a full-time basis, but in no circumstances will a Short-Term Occasional Teacher be paid for less than one-half (1/2) day.  For the purposes of this article, one hundred and fifty (150) minutes equal one-half (1/2) day.

- L7.12  An Occasional Teacher shall only be required to reconcile an overpayment for the twelve (12) month period prior to an error being discovered. The Board shall only be required to reconcile an underpayment for the twelve (12) month period prior to an error being discovered. Any overpayment reconciliation plan shall be with the mutual agreement of the Union and the Occasional Teacher. An overpayment plan shall commence within two months of the discovery of the error.  Any underpayment shall be made on the next possible pay date or in a manner mutually agreeable to the Union and the Occasional Teacher. 

- L39.03    “Long-Term Occasional Teacher” means an Occasional Teacher who is required to teach for a period of ten (10) or more consecutive teaching days as a substitute for the same Teacher.

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             Sometimes mistakes happen so we encourage members to regularly check their TVDSB pay stubs in the Employee Portal. If a call to the Board's payroll helpline doesn't solve your issue, then please contact your TVOT Local at etfotvot@gmail.com

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       Paid PD sessions for April 8th are now available for registration in the TVDSB Employee Portal under the Elementary Occasional Teacher PD conference.

       Virtual half-day sessions include: "Culturally Relevant and Reponsive Approaches for Affirming Student Identities";  "Surviving and Thriving as an OT in the FSL classroom" and " Unlocking Creative Teaching Tools".

      There is also one in-person half-day session: " Implementing the Essential Conditions for Learning Foldables".  

      For questions about eligibility for paid PD, please contact Terri Manning in Staff Development at t.manning@tvdsb.ca

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 As a member of the Ontario Teachers' Federation (OTF), all TVOT members have access to OTF's excellent professional development sessions. Upcoming March virtual workshops include:

- Building integrated curriculum to support intermediate literacy and language skills (March 26th from 4:30 -5:30 PM)

- Junior Literacy - Tending the Fire (March 28th from 4:30 - 5:45 PM)

Additional topics are slated for April so for more information and registration visit https://www.otffeo.on.ca/en/learning/otf-connects/webinars/  

Past OTF workshops are archived at https://www.otffeo.on.ca/en/learning/otf-connects/resources/

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