Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Van full of Donations for Merrymount Children Centre

Thank you to those members who were able to attend our re-scheduled Fall General Meeting yesterday afternoon at the Elm Hurst Inn. We are pleased to announce that the Preliminary Submission for Local bargaining was passed by 100%.
Once again, our members stepped up to the plate and brought lots of donations for the Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre which were greatly appreciated by Anne Brooks, their Communications and Development Manager.
ETFO Staff Officer Susan Ansara brought those in attendance up to date with the provincial strike vote protocol and Craig Smith, ETFO- Permanent Teacher Local President brought warm wishes.

The ETFO 2014 Central Strike Vote is open and available on-line.  Please go to www.etfotcb.ca to vote now.  The voting period runs from November 24, to November 29, at 9 PM. If you have any questions or require any help, contact the Central Strike Vote Help Centre at 1-877-869-8233.

And Still We Rise... Registration is now open for ETFO's popular women's conference taking place the evening of February 25th to February 27th at Toronto's Royal York Hotel. The theme is women's leadership in the union and spots fill quickly so click on the link for more information and act quickly if you are interested. http://www.etfo.ca/CalAttach/aswr2015.pdf


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Technology for Teachers

ETFO Opportunity - ICT Conference for Members
January 16-17, 2015   Network with colleagues, learn about exciting technology projects and take part in hands-on workshops that explore Gamification, Coding, Google Drive, iPads, Social Media, Critical Thinking, Inclusive Classrooms and more!
The registration fee is $75.00 for conference materials, travel, meals, accommodation (as required), release time and dependent care, subject to ETFO guidelines.
Registration Deadline:  December 1, 2014, 5 p.m.  Successful participants will be selected by a random draw and will be notified by email by December 12, 2014.

Go to www.etfo.ca to view further information, agenda and registration form for this opportunity.
You can also contact Jill Aoki-Barrett, Executive Staff, jaokibarrett@etfot.org.

Our Fall General Meeting is taking place tomorrow afternoon and we look forward to hosting members at the scenic Elm Hurst Inn in Ingersoll. We will approve the Preliminary Submission for local bargaining at the meeting and three lucky members will take home a gift card for $200.  Please remember to bring along a gift to donate to Merrymount Children's Centre.

Thanks to everyone who attended the All Member Meeting on Thursday at the Hellenic Centre.  If you missed out on the information discussed that evening, you are invited to participate in the ETFO Town Hall on Tuesday, November 25. Members who have provided ETFO’s Member Records Department with an up-to-date telephone number by Friday, November 7 will be receiving a call from ETFO with an invitation to the town hall meeting on Tuesday, November 25 (8:00 pm – 9:00 pm) a few minutes before it begins.


 

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

An ETFO Opportunity for Members

ETFO Connected Communities Online Learning is offering different webinars throughout the month of November, 2014.
If you're interested in:
- Knowing more about effective use of technology in the classroom?
- Looking for more effective practices for teaching and learning in a digital world?
- Developing your understanding of promoting digital citizenship and the safe use of the Internet?
- Enhancing your knowledge of mathematics curriculum and content?
- Increasing your understanding of balanced, effective, instructional strategies and assessment      practices in mathematics?

Math Topics:
- Communication (November 25)
- Getting Comfortable with Mathematics (November 26)

Technology Topics:
- 21st Century Learners (November 20)
- iPads/iPods (November 24)
- Media for Learning (November 27)

Each webinar will be held on the weekday evening listed from 8 PM to 9 PM.

To register, please fax the registration form found on the Provincial ETFO website; www.etfot.ca
to 416-355-6753.

Please note that registration closes one week prior to each webinar.  

There are still spots available for the Fall General Meeting taking place on Thursday November 20, 2014 at the Elm Hurst Inn in Ingersoll.  There will be much to discuss at this meeting and we encourage you to attend.  Dinner is included and door prizes including three $200 gift cards to be given out to lucky members.  For registration and notice of constitutional amendments check out the members section of www.etfotvot.com.
 

It is very important that Occasional Teachers have their ETFO Provincial ID number (from the "red apple card") as soon as possible.  This ID number will be necessary in order to participate in the upcoming information meeting being held November 18th at the Hellenic Centre at 5 PM.  Call 1-888-838-3836 if you have misplaced your ID number.  The ETFO ID number also enables you to participate in discounts through Edvantage and to register in ETFO Provincial workshops and conferences.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Microsoft Office








Did you know that TVDSB employees can purchase Microsoft Office Suite 2013 for only $11 (plus $13.99 if you opt for the back up CD as recommended)?
This is a home use, single computer version which contains Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, One Note, Publisher, Access, InfoPath and Link. You have the option of selecting either the Windows or Mac edition. Unfortunately MS Office 2013 is not compatible with Windows XP.

To purchase, log in to First Class > Conferences > IT Tips and FAQs > then scroll down to Microsoft Office Employee Purchase Plan and follow the steps listed there.

Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the Interview Skills Professional Development at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, last Thursday.  Presenter Sylvia Van Campen provided excellent tips and guidance on the Interview process.  The interview begins as soon as you step out of your car or enter the building - be prepared and do your research so you can impress the interviewer.

Don't forget to register for our Fall General Meeting being held at Elm Hurst Inn in Ingersoll on November 20th, 2014 from 4:30 - 7:30 PM.  where the preliminary submission will be presented to members.  Come enjoy a fabulous dinner (included)  and door prizes including three $200 gift cards.   
Members are encouraged to bring along donations in support of Merrymount Children's Centre.  For registration and notice of constitutional amendments, go to the members section of www.etfotvot.com.

A few house cleaning items, please ensure our office, the Board and The College of Teachers have your full and correct residential address.  We are receiving many returned mailings from Canada Post with incorrect/incomplete stickers on the envelopes.  Firstly, it is a condition of employment that the Board, have your correct address along with your Union.  Also, the cost involved in re-sending these mailings is unnecessary to all members.

On a similar note, meals are being purchased for members who are registering for various Professional Development events and then Members don't attend.  We understand that emergencies do arise and there isn't much one can do about those, however, should you become aware that you will not be able to attend, we ask that you edit your spot on the website so that another member who is on a wait list may take your place and meals will not go to waste.  Failing that you can always call the office to have your registration cancelled.