Tomorrow's Meeting; ETFO Assessment; Free Apps for OTs from Teachers' Pension

Tomorrow's Meeting
Your Executive is looking forward to meeting everyone who has registered for tomorrow's lovely dinner and Spring General Meeting at the Lamplighter Inn.  There have been a couple of cancellations so if you are a TVOT member, have become available and wish to join us, please call us at the office to register: 519-641-3936. There are plenty of door prizes to go around.

ETFO Assessment Website
ETFO has created a very practical new website called ETFO Members Sharing in Assessment (www.etfoassessment.ca).  The website reinforces our strong position on the importance of teacher professional judgement, the importance of classroom assessment and the information that teachers gather on a daily basis.  This new site is an opportunity to help members enhance their understanding of assessment and learn new strategies and approaches that are meaningful, well-organized and utilized by their peers in the classroom.  ETFO Members Sharing In Assessment was developed by members for members. Members have the opportunity to choose what strategies and tools work for them and modify them to meet their daily needs. New practical tools will be added to the site moving forward.


Free Apps from Your Pension Plan
The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan has released new apps that might be of interest to members:
Classtime - a free mobile app available from Google Play and the App Store to help Occasional Teachers track of where and when they worked, as well as when they get paid.
Worklog - a free mobile app for iPhones and Android devices to help re-employed Teachers keep track of their days anywhere and anytime so as not to exceed their 50 day teaching restriction.
BabySteps - an aid to figuring out maternity leave buyback payments and deadlines. www.otpp.com/members/your-working-years/having-a-baby-or-taking-leave/babysteps

Bargaining, Mandatory Online Training and More....

Debriefing After Last Round of Bargaining
Provincial ETFO is seeking feedback from our key stakeholders in order to reflect upon and evaluate the 2014 collective bargaining process.  Presidents and Chief Negotiators participated in this debrief at the Collective Bargaining Conference in March. ETFO will now be seeking information regarding the 2014 bargaining round from our members through a short online survey.

The survey will be open until Monday, May 16 (ending at 5pm) at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W2BTF6M

The link is also posted on ETFO's main website (www.etfo.ca) , and in ETFO's member-only Collective Bargaining Facebook group.

Mandatory Online Training Modules;
TVDSB has now posted the mandatory training modules for this school year. Log in to the Employee Portal. On the right hand side you will see "Staff Development & Training" and under the heading is "Mandatory Training". Open this for the 2015-2016 OTE Required Training and be sure to click on "Submit" as you finish each module. If your completed modules have been received, the check mark will still be in place the next time you log onto this section. Completion must be done no later than June 30th if you want to be paid for .5 of a day.

2015-2016 OTE Required Training
OTE required training for 2015-16 school year must be completed by June 30, 2016 (with payment by July 22nd, 2016). Confirm electronically the completion of each module. Note the WHMIS, Offence Declaration and ITS Security Declaration is accessible on the main page of the Employee Portal under the heading "Personal Information".

Module 2 - Handling a Violent Situation
Module 5 - Harassment
Module 6 - Work Refusals
Module 7 - Management of Aggressive Behaviour
Module 10 - Working Late
Module 12 - Workplace Design
Module 13 - Recognizing and Coping with Aggressive Behaviour
Mental Health Awareness (May Safety Spotlight)
Concussion Awareness PART I (June Safety Spotlight) (Mandatory)
Concussion PART II - Response, Management (June Safety Spotlight) (Mandatory)
Anaphylaxis Awareness (March Safety Spotlight)
Fire Code Training
Emergency Codes and Asbestos Awareness (Mandatory) (September Safety Spotlight)
Ladder Safety Awareness (Mandatory) (November Safety Spotlight)
Workplace Violence Hazard Assessment Survey, 2016-2017 (Voluntary)

Earning an Extra Day and a Half Salary
Your Local has negotiated that TVOT members have the opportunity for 2 days of paid PD per year, one half day of which is to be used for the mandatory training referred to in the preceding paragraph. (N.B. For those who are in part-time LTO or partial contract, your PD entitlement is pro-rated based on your LTO or contract FTE. For example, if you're in a .5 LTO or a .5 FTE contract teacher, then your entitlement is pro-rated to two half days i.e., 1 full day).  For details, log in to the Employee Portal. On the right hand side under "Staff Development & Training" is "Conference/Session Registrations" and in there are listed the options for Elementary Occasional Teacher PD 2015-2016. This time counts for all purposes (including EI credit, pension credit, seniority etc.) as time worked.

TVOntario - Teach Ontario
www.Teachontario.ca. This online resource is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education, the Unions and TVO to provide education resources and professional learning opportunities developed "by teachers for teachers."

The Bill 115 Decision; TVOT Spring Banquet; ETFO AQ courses; 2016 Census

We Were Justified!
You may have noticed the full page ETFO ad in Saturday's London Free Press celebrating the Ontario Supreme Court Justice decision that Bill 115 was a violation of the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.  We invite you to view the above message from ETFO President Sam Hammond.

Local Spring Banquet and Elections
Thursday, May 19th at London's Lamplighter Inn is the date of the TVOT Spring General Meeting. We would love for  you to take this opportunity to  meet some of the other elementary OTs who are out in TVDSB schools. - they truly share your experiences. Join us for a lovely meal and perhaps win one of the door prizes.  Nominations have closed and the list of candidates for your 2016 - 2017 Local TVOT Executive is now posted on the Local website www.etfotvot.com

 Just a reminder that registration for ETFO summer Additional Qualification courses opened April 25th and will close on June 22nd.  Courses run from June 22 - August 5th and TVOT members who have been with us for longer than 1 year are eligible to apply for the Local's $150 PLDF subsidy (Professional Learning Development Fund).  Applications are available on the Members' Section of our Local website www.etfotvot.com

ETFO Supports Canada's 2016 Census and reminds members that completion is mandatory. The data collected remains confidential and informs all levels of government and many social services as they plan social services. transportation, education etc.

TVARRIS Info; May 19th; The New Phys Ed and Health Curriculum: Win 1 of 10 iPad Minis

 TVARRIS and Speakerphones

Just a heads-up that the TVARRIS system may fail to recognize your PIN if you have answered using the speakerphone function.  Apparently using a speakerphone can create an "echo effect" which distorts the PIN number and makes it unrecognizable.  Problems have also been reported using systems such as "Magic Jack".  Remember that the telephone is your main access to daily employment so be sure you have a reliable carrier if using a cellphone and hardware that will allow you to accept work.

TVOT Spring Celebration and Elections
Please register on our website www.etfotvot.com to join us at the Lamplighter Inn on May 19th for a lovely banquet: California, Potato. Greek and Caesar Salads, Fire Roasted Atlantic Salmon, Pastas and Assorted Desserts. Take this opportunity to meet and mingle with your peers and have a say in the affairs of your OT Local.  We would love to see you there.


The New Phys. Ed and Health Curriculum
ETFO has just released a Professional Relations Services Matters sheet on what ETFO members need to know when it comes to this newly released curriculum.  It is unlikely that daily OTs would be asked to teach this because of the sensitivity of the subject but those in LTOs should make themselves aware of the expectations and their duties around delivering the material.  Follow this link for further information: http://www.etfo.ca/AdviceForMembers/PRSMattersBulletins/Pages/The%202015%20Health%20and%20Physical%20Education%20Curriculum%20and%20You.aspx



ETFO Provincial All-Member Survey
Complete this online survey for a chance to win one of ten mini iPads. Membership information is used to develop ETFO programs and ensure that contact information is up to date so that members remain informed. You can participate at:  https://events.etfo.org/announcements/42c2f143-a9a5-e511-940c-005056bc1cf0/

Nominations Open; 2015 Health and Physical Education Curriculum; ETFO AQ courses; Math Conference

Nomination Forms for Local Executive positions are now posted on our website  www.etfotvot.com . Please consider joining the Executive table for the upcoming school year.  Take advantage of the many leadership opportunities we can provide, find out more about your working relationship with the Board and offer input into services the Local provides to members.  We would love to have you on our team. Deadline for receipt of nominations is April 29, 2016 at 5 PM.
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2015 Health and Physical Education Curriculum
ETFO's Professional Relation's Services has just issued Volume #87 to advise members about issues regarding the 2015 Health and Physical Education Curriculum. We advise members to check the following link for important information:  http://www.etfo.ca/AdviceForMembers/PRSMattersBulletins/Pages/The%202015%20Health%20and%20Physical%20Education%20Curriculum%20and%20You.aspx
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ETFO AQ Courses
Provincial ETFO is a leader in offering high quality and affordable Additional Qualification courses in Ontario. The 2016 - 2017 course calendar is now posted with offerings throughout the Spring and Summer months. Please check http://etfo-aq.ca/catalogue/ for                                                         additional details.
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ETFO Learning Math in the Early Years Conference
Registration is now open for this exciting opportunity for members
to explore effective practices and pedagogy in Math instruction for
Kindergarten to Grade 3. This event will be held at the lovely Kingbridge Conference Centre in King City/Toronto from May 27 - May 28. Registration is $50 with most other costs paid. Check http://www.etfo.ca/CalAttach/mathconference.pdf for further information.

Have you considered joining the TVOT Executive

About the TVOT Executive
Nominations for Local Executive elections will soon be posted to our website www.etfotvot.com for positions to begin for next school year.  We meet for a full day in early September with the time to be paid as a day of teaching by TVDSB.  After that orientation session, we meet monthly after school (with the exception of January when the weather can be a factor) at our Local office where we share a catered dinner before discussing emergent issues that impact both daily and Long-Term Occasional Teachers.  The main focus of TVOT is member representation however we participate on many Board committees, host lots of professional development events and interact with organizations that can promote public education and the fine work of our elementary OTs. Your OT Local has the mandate to deal with every aspect of members working relationship with the Board and it can be rewarding to resolve member issues and debate interactions with the Board that can have such far-reaching consequences.
Executive positions require a commitment for just 1 year, except for the position of President which is a 2 year position.  We encourage members to give consideration to putting their names forward and learn more about the Union by serving on the Local Executive.  Your input is greatly valued and whether or not you decide to run, please join us at our Spring General Meeting on May 19th at the Lamplighter Inn for a fine dinner (free), great door prizes and an update on OT matters.  Registration will be on our Local website. We look forward to meeting lots of you there.

Upcoming April PD Opportunities for ETFO-TVOT Members

Please take note of and plan to join us for some or all of the following Professional Development being offered to you:

April 7th, 2016  Google Drive Classroom Workshop: Beginners - Part 1
Presenters: Cari Patterson and Carolyn Cowie
Where:  John Wise P.S.  (100 Parkside Dr. in St. Thomas, from 4:30 - 7:30 PM)

 April 12th, 2016  Choose one from the following:
1) Paper! Paper! Paper! -  Presenter: Polly Stringle  (limited to 25 participants)
2) Math Workshop - Part-Whole Relationships  -  Presenter: Ann Pigeon
3) IEP's in your LTO: A Case Study Approach  -  Presenter: Ray Wiersma
Where:  Best Western Lamplighter Inn  (591 Wellington Rd. south in London, from 4:30 - 7:30 PM)

NEW!
April 15th Paid PD Event (OTs paid to participate):
- Welcoming Syrian Refugees into our Schools (AM or PM Session)
- Dairy Farmers Nutrition workshops (AM or PM Session)
Where: BMO Centre (295 Rectory Street London) Registration via TVDSB Employee Portal > Conference Registrations

April 21st, 2016  Google Drive Classroom (More) Advanced - Part 2
Presenters:  Cari Patterson and Carolyn Cowie
Where:  John Wise P.S.  (100 Parkside Dr. in St. Thomas, from 4:30 - 7:30 PM)

Meal is included before each workshop!
Please register at www.etfotvot.com
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Perspectives and the Truth and Reconciliation Book Club
For all members who are interested in learning about the diversity of Aboriginal peoples, perspectives, the residential school system and reconciliation.
It's welcoming online learning environment is aimed at engaging members in critical thinking, rich dialogue and personal reflection and professional connection.

This opportunity is made available to you by ETFO Provincial.
For more information, contact Rachel Mishnene, ETFO Executive Staff 416-962-3836, ext. 2256
or Toll Free: 1-888-838-3836.
Registration required through FNMI Online Book Clubs
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