Continuing Withdrawal of Voluntary Actvities and ETFO Advice on the Elementary Provincial Report Card

Strike Pay:
Cheques for strike pay will be mailed to participants as soon as they are processed by ETFO Provincial.  We expect this to occur within the next week or two.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: Withdrawal of Voluntary/ Extra-curricular Activities

The provincial Executive of ETFO has passed the following motions:

"The ETFO members not participate in voluntary/extra-curricular activities outside the 300 minute instructional day."

"That the non-participation of ETFO members in voluntary/extra-curricular activities be reviewed prior to March 1, 2013."

This is nothing new.  Since Bill 115 provisions were enacted on January 3rd, ETFO repeated publicly that members should continue their pause on voluntary activities.
Our members were taking a pause on voluntary activities beginning in September.  They have continued to ask ETFO to take a strong public stand about voluntary activities and ETFO has responded to that request from members.
The bulletin sent out to members on January 14 is a response to many requests we received from members to clarify what is voluntary activity.  Please advise our office if you have not received your mailing.  It can also be found on the ETFO website.
This clarification will ensure that every member meets their legislative and contractual obligations to provide instructional duties to students as well as supervisory duties to ensure their safety.
Our provincial executive, elected by the members, will review the situation prior to March 1.
It is unfortunate that this situation is continuing. We gave the education minister an option to end the chaos she created, but she chose not to take that option and instead imposed Bill 115.

The Elementary Provincial Report Card:

The Elementary Provincial Report Card was designed to show a student's achievement of curriculum expectations as well as the student's development of learning skills and work habits at two points in the school year:  September to January/February of the school year and January /February to June of the school year.

Consistent with Growing Success, teachers are to use their professional judgement  when completing the Elementary Provincial Report Card. Teachers are not expected to comment on every learning skill or strand.

"When appropriate, teachers may make reference to particular strands.  The comments should describe in overall terms what students know and can do and should provide parents with personalized, clear, precise, and meaningful feedback." Pg. 64 Growing Success. 

The term "personalized feedback" does not mean that every student must have a different comment. A meaningful comment may apply to several students in a class.

Teachers are not required to completely fill the boxes.

In situations where more than one teacher teaches the same student/class, it is recommended that those teachers collaborate on the development of comments.

Teachers are expected to enter a grade for both Social Studies and Science and Technology on both the first and second term report cards.  All of the strands in both Social Studies and Science and Technology must be accounted for in instruction, assessment, and evaluation by the end of the year.

Teachers are expected to enter a grade for both Health and Physical Education on both the first and second term report cards.  It is mandatory that a grade be entered for each strand at least once over both reporting periods.

• For Language, four strands are reported on in each term.
• For Mathematics, at least four strands are reported on in each term and each strand must be reported on at least once.
• For The Arts, at least three of the subjects are reported on in each term and each subject must be reported on at least once during the year.

If the expectations for a student with an IEP vary from the expectations for the regular program for the grade, teachers must check the IEP box for that subject on the Elementary Provincial Report Card.

In instances where a student's program is not based on the expectations from the Ontario curriculum for Grades 1-8, an alternative form, which may require additional comments, may be used to report the student's achievement.

Kindergarten Observations and Reporting:

The Elementary Progress Report for Grades 1-8 teachers follows the policy guidelines for assessment and reporting under the Ministry of Education's policy for assessment, evaluation, and reporting (Growing Success), for the 2012/13 school year.  These policies do not apply to reporting processes in Kindergarten.  The Ministry of Education is currently working on a Kindergarten version of Growing Success but it is not complete at this time. As such, the Kindergarten process for assessment, evaluation, and reporting looks different in every district school board across the province.

 Some district school boards require Kindergarten teachers and Full Day Kindergarten teams to submit a version of a progress report, some have a parent in class visit, and some require a checklist identifying areas of growth and next steps.

Where written reports are required, the following advice to Kindergarten teachers and Full Day Kindergarten teams is provided:

If a checklist is required, all boxes should be checked and teacher professional judgement should be used for writing comments.

• If a short written report is required, teachers are to use their professional judgement when completing any type of Kindergarten report.  Teachers are not expected to comment on every area.

Ongoing parent communication and parent interviews remain the most effective way to inform parents about their children's growth and achievement.  Once you have submitted your Elementary Provincial Report Card to your administrator, your professional obligations regarding the content of the provincial report cards for January/February are complete.

One-Day Protest this Friday, January 11, 2013

Important Information from ETFO Provincial
One Day Political Protest – January 11, 2013

In December 2012, ETFO members voted overwhelmingly in support of a one day political protest if the Minister of Education imposed a collective agreement or stopped a legal strike.

On January 3, 2013, two weeks after refusing an offer made by President Hammond to work toward a respectful resolution, the Minister used the unprecedented powers of Bill 115 to impose local agreements. By imposing contracts without negotiation and ending legal strike action, the Minister has willfully trampled on the democratic rights of ETFO members - rights that are enshrined in theCanadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Based on the Minister’s deliberate and provocative choice to wipe out the democratic rights of tens of thousands of educators,the date of the one day political protest will be Friday, January 11, 2013.  This day will be without strike pay.

ETFO Thames Valley Occasional Teacher members will be receive further information about the one day protest by robocall from the local office. 

Occasional Teacher Protest Locations

LONDON –

·         TVDSB Board of Education (1250 Dundas Street, London)

·         Masonville Public School (25 Hillview Blvd, London)

·         Princess Elizabeth Public School (247 Thompson Road, London)

·         Westmount Public School (1011 Viscount Road, London)

ST.THOMAS –

·         Elmdale Public School (25 Elm Street, St. Thomas)

STRATHROY –

·         Colborne Street Public School (25 Colborne Street, Strathroy)

WOODSTOCK –

·         Central Public School (410 Hunter Street, Woodstock)

ETFO members are asked to check ETFO’s Control Your Future website (www.controlyourfuture.ca) on Thursday afternoon and evening for general updates.

Throughout these troubling months, ETFO members have recognized that it is impossible to stand back and watch the destruction of a profession we love and the trampling of rights that are fundamental to all Ontarians. We have demonstrated, over and over again, tremendous resolve, leadership and solidarity in the face of continual attacks by this government and Minister. Through this one-day political protest on Friday, January 11^th we are again standing up to say that what happened to ETFO members must not ever happen to any other Ontarian.

Historic Imposition of Collective Agreement

For the first time since Teachers were organized in Ontario, the government of the day has seen fit to impose a collective agreement. Who could have foreseen that this Liberal government which once fostered education, would abuse its power by trampling the democratic rights not only of Teachers, but of all Ontario workers and voters?
Shame on this Minister of Education for dictating terms and conditions of employment, when the lawful means of bargaining remains between school boards and their locals.

From the desk of Terry Card

In the face of challenging circumstances, our members have done an outstanding job of recognizing what is at stake.  We have made difficult decisions and stood together to protest legislation that could forever change not only our profession, but the lives of anyone who works in Ontario.  I am proud to be your President and to stand beside you on the line tomorrow - these next few months will define our province.

What you should know about Bill 115:

• Bill 115 seeks to unconstitutionally override the Ontario Labour Relations Act, the Human Rights Code and our Canadian Constitution.
• Under this legislation, the Government's actions cannot be questioned or reviewed in any court, questioned by an Arbitrator or an Arbitration Board.
• No course of action or civil proceeding may be brought against the Government.
• Trustees, duly elected by their constituents no longer have the authority to negotiate with their employees - the government will dictate the terms.
• This is not a wage freeze, but will result in an additional 1.5% pay cut with 3 unpaid days next year.
• This is the first phase of the governments plan. By the end, every education partner will be adversely affected as billions of dollars are removed from the education sector.
• The Drummond Report suggests that the Government should increase class sizes, change delivery of the Full Day Kindergarten programme, alter the Teachers' Pension Plan, and revisit the steps of our long-standing grid structure.
• To form your own opinion, I urge you to follow this link to Bill 115  Putting Students First Act 2012 -www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?BillID=2665

OTs and Picket Duty?

Let's be clear, since December 3, 2012 all ETFO members in Thames Valley (including Occasional Teachers and LTOs) have been in legal strike position and engaged in work to rule. Shortly, this action will escalate to full withdrawal of service as part of ETFO's campaign of rotating strikes in opposition to Bill 115. Occasional Teachers will be made aware of the date by robocall to the telephone number listed with TVDSB.
As a member of the Union, all OTs/LTOs will be expected to participate in picketing on the day assigned to this Local.  All active members (those who have worked within the last 60 days) will be required to report for duty and register that day at one of the designated sites. LTOs will picket with their schools. As an active member, you will be paid  the same strike pay of fifty dollars as a permanent Teacher.
Breaching the terms of a strike / noncompliance is not taken lightly and could lead to disciplinary action against the member as outlined in Bulletin #6. 
There may be members with legitimate needs for exemption and alternate duties.  Such requests with the appropriate documentation must be presented on the exemption form to the Credentials Committee no later than 24 hours before the beginning of full strike action (exceptions will be made for emergency situations.)
In summary:

• Picket duty is mandatory for all active ETFO members (those who have worked within the last 60 days)
• LTOs will picket with their schools
• All other OTs will go to designated sites and sign in
• Our strike date and list of OT picket sites will be made known by robocall when appropriate
• Requests for exemption/reassignment must be received no later than 24 hours before picket duty

For further information contact Local President, Terry Card at etfotvot@gmail.com - subject line: Strike.

Together We're Stronger

We have received numeous calls regarding volunteering in the classroom and participating in extra-curricular activities.  This is not optional, it is mandatory.  Your Union is telling you; there is no volunteering.  The permanent teachers in the schools you want to volunteer in are taking a position of "no volunteering" and are looking to us for support.  They would not look too kindly upon you entering the school to volunteer at this time when they are not.  Principals should also understand- they used to be teachers too!  We can only be effective by sticking together and hopefully the impact will result in a shorter time frame.
These are very challenging times - it is crucial that you remain informed, take control of your future.  Visit the www.controlyourfuture.ca website for current information and never hesitate to contact your local union representatives. 

ETFO Provincial has recently mailed Takeover Bulletin #6 dated November 29, 2012 detailing STRIKE PROTOCOL - WORK TO RULE - STAGE I, effective December 3, 2012.  Adherence to the Strike Protocol is Mandatory for all Thames Valley ETFO Members Including:  Daily Occasional, Long Term Occasional Members, and Permanent Teachers.  Please let us know if you have not received this information for any reason.

Bill 115: Why a Political Protest

   Collective bargaining gives employees a voice in determining their wages and working conditions, and has historically, set the stage for the benefits enjoyed by all workers in Ontario, eg. health care, CPP, maternity leave and the weekend.

  Bill 155 places the minister of education and the government beyond the reach of the Ontario Human Rights Code, Ontario Labour Relations Act and the courts. It gives the government unprecedented power. Under the law, the minister can end legal strike action, reserve the right to approve all collective agreements, and impose a collective agreements on ETFO members.

  Bill 115 puts all working Ontarians at risk and undermines the guarantees made to Canadians under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that include:

• Our right to organize, to engage in collective bargaining, and to withdraw our services to advance workplace goals;
• Our right to freedom of expression, specifically the rights of employees to express themselves regarding terms and conditions affecting their workplace, including strike activity or a withdrawal of services;
• Protecting employees from being forced to work under terms and conditions which are coerced, dictated, or imposed by state.

ETFO Members- Standing up for Democracy               

The Liberal government may have targeted Teachers / OTs to be first example for imposing austerity measures - but they picked the wrong public servants. ETFO members have continued to call this government to task in a very public way:

• When the government passed Bill 115, 15,000 ETFO members and others from labour and community groups protested at Queen's Park the very next day;
• ETFO members joined with many community and labour activists to help defeat the provincial Liberals in the Waterloo by-election;
• Members have continued to work with local labour and community groups to picket MPP offices around the province on a weekly basis.

As ETFO members, we have been the front line in standing up for democratic rights in Ontario. With the Day of Protest, we can send a resounding message to the public, the media, and elected officials that fundamental rights will only be restored in Ontario with the repeal of Bill 115.

How Bill 115 affects Daily Occasional Teachers     

1. Bill 115 has reduced sick days for permanent Teachers and eliminated sick leave banks. Teachers are being forced to come to work sick, which means finding teaching assignments is now even more difficult for Occasional Teachers.
2. Your TVDSB collective agreement allowed OTs to accumulate sick leave credits when assigned to LTOs to use if we become ill and can't work. The government has capped annual sick leave; this will significantly reduce the number of fully-paid sick days available to Occasional Teachers.
3. With the current inflation rate running at approximately 2.6% per year, the two-year salary freeze will erode the purchasing power of Occasional Teachers.