Update to PPE; Changes for Retirees; Math Webcasts from ETFO Provincial; Making TVARRIS Efficient; Paid PD Opportunities

NEW: Alternative to Face Shields PPE TVDSB is now making goggles available on request at schools to those who would feel more comfortable wearing goggles instead of face shields. Remember that the public health unit recommends that Teachers wear face shields or goggles whenever social distancing cannot be maintained. Kindergarten classes are one example of where such PPE is advised. N.B. Goggles and/or face shields are not a replacement for masks. The wearing of masks remains mandatory! 

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 Changes to Pension Plan Restrictions for Retirees 

The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan is a partnership between the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Teachers' Federation which is the voice of the Teacher Federations at the table. Under the terms of the partnership, decisions are made jointly. 

Recent deliberations have resulted in a decision that for this current school year, retired Teachers will be able to teach up to the end of the month in which they exceed 95 days rather than 50 days, without affecting their pension.  

For further information from Teachers' Pension go to https://www.otpp.com/members/cms/en/life-career-events/retirement-life/working-after-retirement/reemployment-faq.html?intcmp=re-em_w_dmwk-779

To access the document below visit https://www.otpp.com/members/cms/en/life-career-events/retirement-life/working-after-retirement/reemployment-faq.html?intcmp=re-em_w_dmwk-779

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ETFO Provincial Revised Math 2020 Webcasts  TVOT members may not be aware that Provincial ETFO offers 6 webinars that are available for you at your convenience at https://www.etfo.ca/SupportingMembers/ProfLearning/Pages/MathWebcasts.aspx

Topics include "Demystifying Coding in the Primary Grades", "An Introduction to Coding in the Junior Grades", "Coding Connections in Intermediate Grade Mathematics" and "Exploring Social-Emotional Learning Skills in Mathematics". Most sessions are about an hour in length and the slides are available to download in either PDF or Word formats.

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When to block off in TVARRIS?

In order that Thames Valley Absence Reporting and Replacement System/TVARRIS operates as efficiently as possible, it is important that Occasional Teachers book as "unavailable" even if for only one day. Otherwise TVARRIS wastes time making needless calls which are either turned down or go unanswered and this results in unfilled Teacher absences. Please note that there is no penalty for making yourself "unavailable" so we encourage TVOT members to book off each and every time they chose not to teach. 

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Online Paid PD Opportunities

Did you know that there are many online paid PD opportunities now available in the Conference Registration section of the Employee Portal? These options include topics such as Online Literacy, Online Kindergarten and Online Spec Ed. To register, scroll down the list under "Elementary Occasional Teacher PD" and though they are listed with the date of June 29th, they can be completed by OTs on evenings, weekends or anytime at that is convenient. Payment is triggered when Staff Development receives your Reflection Form so be sure to submit one when you are done. Participation in paid PD sessions count as a half-day of work for all puposes.

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Note re: TVOT Member Portal - Just a note to members that our transition to the new etfotvot.com website is still in progress so you may have difficulties for a week or so in accessing the Member Portal / Secure area of the site.  __________________________________________________________