Wednesday, March 1, 2017

ETFO Tentative Extension Agreement; Book Rebate PLDF subsidies; Provincial ETFO PD opportunities; Teacher Supply Tax Credit

ETFO Tentative Extension Agreement
Members are reminded that the ETFO Provincial telephone town hall is tonight at 7:30 PM. Voting on the tentative extension agreement has already opened and will close Friday, March 3rd at 11:59 PM. Members will need to provide their ETFO ID number (on the red apple card and on Voice magazine address label) in order to participate in the vote. Details on the agreement and the process can be found at www.etfocb.ca. Your Local Executive has had significant discussions regarding the proposed extension agreement and we are pleased to discuss this matter or any of your other concerns. The office phone number is 519-641-3936.
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We have received numerous calls and emails asking questions about the Book Rebate and Professional Learning Development Fund subsidies offered by your Local. In a nutshell, the Book Rebate program offers up to $50/year per member.  Members may only purchase books or resources that are related to elementary professional practice. The Form along with the original receipt of purchase must be received at the ETFO-TVOT office- 521 Nottinghill Road, Unit #8, in London, N6K 4L4 by May 31st, 2017

The Professional Learning Development Fund (PLDF) offers members a chance to personalize their professional development.  Funding for this program is $300 per year/member for courses or workshops, whether in-person, on-line or by correspondence. All course funding must be pre-approved and the funding cannot be applied retroactively.  All courses must be related to the elementary education profession and to be eligible, applicants must have been on the TVDSB elementary OT Roster for a minimum of twelve months. Approvals are first-come-first serve until the funding limit is reached.

Application forms for both the Book Rebate and the PLDF are found in the Member Services area under "Useful Forms/Documents" link on the ETFO-TVOT website  : www.etfotvot.com.
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Did you know that ETFO Occasional Teachers are eligible to participate in any of the conferences offered by ETFO Provincial? Check out www.etfo.ca for upcoming conferences such as the FNMI Education Symposium being held April first, the Technology for Teachers Conference being held April 7-8th and the Kindergarten Conference being held April 28-29th.  Travel expenses, shared accommodation expenses and the cost of meals and resources are covered by ETFO Provincial for a small registration fee.  We encourage members to take advantage of these opportunities made possible through their ETFO fees.
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This will be the First Year that Teachers and Occasional Teachers will be eligible to claim the School Supply Tax Credit.  Unlike other Boards where there is a person designated to oversee these claims, in TVDSB this is an electronic process.  If you would like further information on allowable expenses etc. please visit the question and answer page at 
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gnc/bdgt/2016/qa03/eng.html