Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Last Chance for 2 extra days of pay and SMART Board Workshop - June 7th, 2017

Daily Occasional Teachers have access to 2 extra days of pay, delivered as paid Professional Development. (Those in LTO assignments .5 FTE or less can be paid for one full day). A half-day is to be paid for completion of the 13 online mandatory training modules listed in the Employee Portal under "Employee Training".  Your other three half day options include online webinars that can be done at your leisure, or by participating in the final Board sponsored PD sessions being offered on June 9th, however registration closes for these on this Friday, June 2nd.
Sessions fill quickly so check out the Employee Portal >Conference/Session Registrations> Elementary Occasional Teacher PD (2016-2017). Click on "Register" to see your options.
These days count as a day of work for purposes of seniority, Employment Insurance, Pension credit etc. so register today and "Earn as you Learn".
______________________________________
SMART Board PD Workshop- Wednesday, June 7th, 2017   

Westmount P.S. , 1011 Viscount Road in London from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
(a light dinner will be provided).

The SMART Board has become integral to the modern, elementary classroom and an essential tool for creating lessons that are both interactive and engaging for students. During this hands-on workshop, participants will experience many of the basic features and have an opportunity to practice creating SMART Board lessons in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Presenter :  Katie Jeffries
Registration is now open at www.etfotvot.com under Member Services

________________________________________

Registration is now open for ETFO Summer Academy!!!!

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Spring General Meeting and your Local Executive for 2017-2018; ETFO Provincial Opportunities; Deadline for your Book Rebate Application

Spring General Meeting
Over 100 members registered for our Spring General Meeting and Elections which took place at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, last Thursday.
The following TVOT Members were elected for the your Local 2017-2018 Executive Positions:

Executive
 President:  Terry Card
 1st Vice-President: Nancy Springer
 2nd Vice-President: Vivek Nath
 Secretary: Sarah Pye
 Treasurer: Kevin Utley
 Health & Safety Officer:  David Griffith
 Executive Members at Large:  Meera Jain, Farida Makhani, Sharon Pinylo, Shasta Tunks

 Collective Bargaining Committee:
  Chief Negotiator:  Terry Card
  Bargaining Committee Members:  Vivek Nath, Sharon Pinylo, Nancy Springer, Kevin Utley

Thank you for interest and support!!!!
____________________________________________________
ETFO AQ Courses
Registration is now open for ETFO's Additional Qualifications courses which includes the new "Environmental Education Part 1" session.  These are high-quality courses by developed by Teachers for Teachers so we encourage members to check out www.etfo-aq.ca for the this year's selections.


ETFO Summer Academy
Just a heads up to members that registration for the popular 3 day sessions, will open next week at www.etfo.ca.  Courses are extremely popular so make sure to act quickly if you are interested.  A good opportunity to meet other Teachers from across Ontario.
____________________________________________________
TVOT $50 Book Rebate
Don't miss the deadline to submit your claim for $50 towards the purchase of a professional resource. Forms along with accompanying receipts are due at the ETFO- TVOT office by May 31, 2017!  The following books are some of the resources your peers have used their book rebates toward:

 - Classroom Management Guide for Substitute Teachers: And New Teachers, Author: Bonnie Moon,      Publisher:  Outskirts Press (May 1, 2013),
 - Teach Like a Pirate: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity and Transform Your Life as an Educator,  Author: Dave Burgess    Publisher:  Dave Burgess Consulting, Incorporated (Aug. 18, 2012),
  -  See Me After Class:  Advice for Teachers by Teachers,  Author:  Roxanna Elden,   Publisher: Sourcebooks, 2nd ed. (Nov. 1, 2013).
   - Lost AT School,  Author:  Ross W. Greene,    Publisher:  Simon and Schuster
______________________________________________________




            

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Spring General Meeting & Banquet; Go to the Sources for your Info: Robert Reich on Widening Inequality;

Spring General Meeting and Banquet
We look forward to seeing over 100 members at tomorrow afternoon's Spring General Meeting and Banquet at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road South, in London from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm.  We have a lovely  plated dinner to be served along with door prizes and a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow members and your Executive! There may be cancellations so please call the office if you are interested in attending.

Where do you get your information?
Just a reminder to members that gossip runs rampant, whether in staff rooms, unauthorized Facebook groups, or among friends.  If you want to ensure that you have the correct information, please call either your Local at 519-641-3936 or the Board Office.  These are the parties who have negotiated your Collective Agreement and who oversee all aspects of your working relationship as TVDSB elementary Occasional Teachers. All questions are valued and confidential.  This is your livelihood - why settle for an unauthorized and possibly ill-informed interpretation of the terms of your working conditions.

Brief video worth viewing from Robert Reich 
Time Magazine has called him one of the 10 best US cabinet members of the century.  See Robert Reich's short illustration on the widening economic inequality in North America:

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Elementary Provincial Report Cards and Professional Judgement, Mandatory on-line Training and the Upcoming Spring General Meeting

ETFO has recently updated their documents regarding the Elementary Provincial Report Card Continued Implementation - Grades 1 to 8.
This information can be found at http://www.etfo.ca/adviceformembers/professionaljudgement/Pages/default.aspx  in the Professional Judgement section of the website and is titled ETFO Professional Judgement Guidelines for the Completion of the Elementary Provincial Report Card - Grades 1 to 8.
Members who have questions or concerns may contact staff in Professional Relations Services (PRS) at 416-962-3836 or 1-888-838-3836.
__________________________________________________________

The Annual WHMIS Review / Offence Declaration / IT Security is now available in the Employee Portal.  This is done annually and must be completed by all TVDSB Staff by 2017 August 31.  Please make sure you are using Internet Explorer as your internet browser.

* NOTE - ALL 3 ITEMS MUST BE COMPLETED TOGETHER OR NONE WILL REGISTER AND YOU WILL HAVE TO DO THEM AGAIN.

Please follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Employee Portal.
2. Find the link, highlighted in yellow, "Annual WHMIS Review / Offence Declaration / IT" under    Personal Information.
3. Complete the WHMIS Review by viewing the video and completing the Quiz.
4. At the bottom of the WHMIS Results page click on the Complete Offence Declaration button, you  will be able to print all of your results at the final step.
5. Answer your Offence Declaration and click the submit button.
6. A message will appear indicating successful completion. Continue on to the IT Security Policy  Declaration by clicking on the button.
7. Review the Policy and Procedures listed, check the box to the left of the statement. Click to save  your completed declaration.
8. Use the EXIT button in the top right to return to your portal. You have now completed all three  requirements.
9. You can review your completion details by clicking on the link again in your portal, if required for your records you can PRINT this page.

___________________________________________________________

We look forward to hosting over 110 members at our upcoming Spring General Meeting and Banquet next Thursday, May 18th, at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road South, in London, from 4:30 - 7:30 pm.
There are still spots available if you have not yet registered.  This is always a wonderful opportunity to meet your peers and the Executive while enjoying a complimentary fine dinner.
Registration at www.etfotvot.com under Member Services.
Don't hesitate to contact the Local at 519-641-3936 with any questions or if you require any assistance.



    

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

List of Candidates for Local Elections 2017-2018, Spring General Meeting & Retired Teachers of Ontario Invitation

The following Members have put their names forward for the following positions in the upcoming Local Elections on May 18, 2017:

Local Executive Positions:

President : (first year of two year term - no election)
First Vice-President :  Nancy Springer
Second Vice-President : Vivek Nath
Secretary : Sarah Pye
Treasurer : Kevin Utley
Health & Safety Officer : No Nomination Received
Executive Members at Large (four positions) : (in alphabetical order)
 Meera Jain
 Farida Makhani
 Sharon Pinylo

Collective Bargaining Committee:

Chief Negotiator (7.3.4 Local Constitution) :  Terry Card
4 additional members (5 if Pres. and Ch. Negotiator same person): (in alphabetical order) 
 Vivek Nath
 Sharon Pinylo
 Nancy Springer

Delegate/Alternates to Provincial ETFO Annual Meeting, August 14-17, 2017:
 Sharon Pinylo

Thank you for your interest and continued support
_____________________________________________________________

Registration is now open for the Spring General Banquet at the Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road in London, N6C 4R3 on Thursday May 18, 2017 from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM.

Meet your peers and enjoy this complimentary fine dinner:

Garden Lettuce with Slivers of Sweet Red Onion dressed in Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette;

Duo of Grilled Filet of Beef Tenderloin with a Shitake Mushroom Cabernet Sauce and Grain-Fed Chicken Breast with a Sauvignon Blanc Reduction; Olive Oil Roasted Mini Potatoes; Chef's Seasonal Vegetables; Freshly Baked Breads, Assorted Flatbreads and European Rolls;

French Style Lemon Curd Mousse Cake on a Swirl of Fruit Sauce; Coffee and Tea

Vegetarian Menu
Mushroom Raviolli with Alfredo Sauce

Have a say in the business of your Local and register at www.etfotvot.com

Please call the Local if you have any questions or require any assistance in registering for this Event.
(519)641-3936.
______________________________________________________________
The Retired Teachers of Ontario, District 37 (Oxford) has invited all members (and a guest),who have decided to retire this year to join them at The Bellringer Breakfast.  This is a wonderful opportunity for your retired colleagues to welcome you into this new and well-deserved life adventure.

The Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTO/ERO) is a 75,000 plus strong organization that for nearly 50 years has served the needs of retired teachers, educational employees and their families. Those who have been employed in any aspect of public education are eligible for membership.  At the provincial level, the RTO/ERO Health Plan provides an opportunity for health insurance coverage that is non-age banded. Advocacy regarding issues affecting retired seniors is another important service of the provincial organization.

The breakfast will take place on September 5, 2017 at the Community Hall in Mt. Elgin at 9:00a.m.
This is a great opportunity to join District 37 and learn about the many benefits of membership in RTO/ERO.

Please Respond by May 26, 2017 to Sandra Stock;
: By email-rsstock@execulink.com
: By telephone: 519 462 2643