LTOs and June 30th PA Day
Just a reminder that Long-Term Occasional Teachers are expected to attend school for the PD Day slated for the last day of school, if June 30 was the posted end date of your assignment. LTOs must participate and will be paid according to the FTE of their assignment. Please call the office if you have any questions in this regard.
Sick Not Weak Rally
Canadian sports journalist and mental health advocate, Michael Landsberg of TSN will host a rally #Sicknotweak Thursday, June 16 from 7-9 PM at the Woodstock Community Complex, 381 Finkle Street. "There is hope - mental health doesn't have to be a death sentence - sharing and dialogue can be life saving." Registration is free at https://t.co/sJtkqAgbU3 We hope to see you there.
ETFO and Locals donate to Fort McMurray Relief
"Children and families in Fort McMurray have faced displacement and lost everything to the fire that swept the city," said ETFO President Sam Hammond. "When tragedy hits like this, it is incumbent on us to help our fellow Canadians find a way forward to rebuild their lives."
ETFO committed an initial $50,000 to the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Fires Appeal and pledged to match ETFO local donations up to an additional $50,000. The latter matching amount was realized with donations from ETFO locals across Ontario recently reaching $57,500. ETFO's combined provincial and local donations currently total $157,500.
Employment Insurance
N.B. In this region, the Government of Canada will require 630 insured hours of work to qualify for Employment Insurance benefits this year. http://srv129.services.gc.ca/eiregions/eng/rates_cur.aspx For purposes of EI, the hours reported by TVDSB changed from 7 hours to 8 hours as of December 16, 2015.
ETFO THAMES VALLEY OCCASIONAL TEACHERS' LOCAL
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Pan-Canadian Survey of Beginning Teachers; Offence Declaration and Modules; PD for Next Year
Survey for Newer Teachers/OTs
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRCC) is funding a study to explore the impact on teacher induction and mentorship programs on the retention of beginning teachers across all Canadian provinces and territories. Professors from Queen's University and the University of Saskatchewan are undertaking this work. This study has the full support of teacher organizations across the country, including ETFO.
Teachers within the first 5 years of employment in a publicly funded school in Canada (this includes occasional teachers) are encouraged to participate in an online survey that will take about 15-20 minutes to complete. The questions pertain to teachers' perspectives and insights about their early career experiences with teaching, induction and mentoring programs, professional learning opportunities, and career development. Upon completion of the survey, members can enter their name into a draw for an iPad Mini3.
The learnings from this research study will be helpful to ETFO and for beginning teachers across Canada.
http://queensu.fluidsurveys.com/s/teacher-induction-survey/
Annual Offence Declaration and Training Modules
Remember to complete the modules for the 2015-2016 OTE Required Training along with WHMIS, Offence Declaration before the last day of school!
For those of you who are in LTOs, make sure you submit your QECO ratings to the Board if they don't have one for you or if there have been any changes.
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRCC) is funding a study to explore the impact on teacher induction and mentorship programs on the retention of beginning teachers across all Canadian provinces and territories. Professors from Queen's University and the University of Saskatchewan are undertaking this work. This study has the full support of teacher organizations across the country, including ETFO.
Teachers within the first 5 years of employment in a publicly funded school in Canada (this includes occasional teachers) are encouraged to participate in an online survey that will take about 15-20 minutes to complete. The questions pertain to teachers' perspectives and insights about their early career experiences with teaching, induction and mentoring programs, professional learning opportunities, and career development. Upon completion of the survey, members can enter their name into a draw for an iPad Mini3.
The learnings from this research study will be helpful to ETFO and for beginning teachers across Canada.
http://queensu.fluidsurveys.com/s/teacher-induction-survey/
Annual Offence Declaration and Training Modules
Remember to complete the modules for the 2015-2016 OTE Required Training along with WHMIS, Offence Declaration before the last day of school!
For those of you who are in LTOs, make sure you submit your QECO ratings to the Board if they don't have one for you or if there have been any changes.
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
ETFO Summer Academy; PD Book Rebates; ETFO Stewards' Mailings
Registration is now open for ETFO's Summer Academy. This year there are over 80 courses to consider. Each course is 3 days in length and include practical classroom-ready strategies. Enjoy networking with colleagues and working with dynamic presenters. Registration is $75 and includes your lunch on site and supporting resources. Courses fill quickly so register now at https://summeracademy.etfo.ca/$40 PD Book Rebate a resounding SUCCESS!!
Over 100 members have participated in and received up to $40 in rebate for Professional Development Book purchases this school year. We are happy you are finding this Professional Development helpful and applaud your initiatives. Stay tuned for exciting developments with this PD for next year!
ETFO Stewards' Mailings
As daily OTs we do not have access to Provincial ETFO mailings that are distributed to staff through permanent Teacher stewards but we can get the same information by checking www.etfo.ca . There you will see that the most recent mail out contained information on teaching abroad through Project Overseas; being a witness in a court proceeding and using your professional judgment when completing report cards.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
TVOT Executive for 2016 - 2017; $40 Book Rebate deadline: ETFO Responds to Auditor General's Comments
The results from the Spring General Elections for the ETFO - TVOT Executive for 2016-2017 are:
Terry Card - President / Chief Negotiator
Nancy Springer - First Vice-President
Vivek Nath - Second Vice-President
Kevin Utley - Treasurer
Gina Droppo - Secretary
Nicole Henderson - Health & Safety Officer
Meera Jain - Executive Member at Large
Sheri-Lynn Honyust - Executive Member at Large
Sarah Pye - Executive Member at Large
Shasta Tunks - Executive Member at Large
________________________________________________________________
Deadline for your $40 PD Book Rebate Application is fast approaching. All applications must be received by May 31st. You can find the application at www.etfotvot.com website under: Member Services, Useful Forms/Documents.
Again, we advise all members to have accounts on the etfotvot.com website to keep apprised of all current information and to be able to participate in various rebate programs (PD Book Rebate, PD Learning Fund) available to you as ETFO- Thames Valley Occasional Teachers.
_________________________________________________________________
ETFO Responds to Auditor General's Comments on Allocation of PD Funds to Unions
Here is an excerpt of President Sam Hammond's response from the Toronto Star of May 20th:
"...the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario and its predecessors have provided PD to Ontario's public elementary teachers since the 1950s.
While school boards do provide some PD, the Education Ministry has long recognized that ETFO's professional development model is more efficient, practical, extensive and equitable than school boards could possibly deliver. Our PD is developed by academic and classroom teachers for teachers making it relevant to current curriculum and classroom needs. School Boards do not have the human capacity to deliver sustained and practical PD and many recognize this by partnering with our locals to deliver ETFO created PD for educators.
ETFO has always maintained rigorous accountability and reporting mechanisms for the professional development funding received from the government. .."
Terry Card - President / Chief Negotiator
Nancy Springer - First Vice-President
Vivek Nath - Second Vice-President
Kevin Utley - Treasurer
Gina Droppo - Secretary
Nicole Henderson - Health & Safety Officer
Meera Jain - Executive Member at Large
Sheri-Lynn Honyust - Executive Member at Large
Sarah Pye - Executive Member at Large
Shasta Tunks - Executive Member at Large
________________________________________________________________
Deadline for your $40 PD Book Rebate Application is fast approaching. All applications must be received by May 31st. You can find the application at www.etfotvot.com website under: Member Services, Useful Forms/Documents.
Again, we advise all members to have accounts on the etfotvot.com website to keep apprised of all current information and to be able to participate in various rebate programs (PD Book Rebate, PD Learning Fund) available to you as ETFO- Thames Valley Occasional Teachers.
_________________________________________________________________
ETFO Responds to Auditor General's Comments on Allocation of PD Funds to Unions
Here is an excerpt of President Sam Hammond's response from the Toronto Star of May 20th:
"...the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario and its predecessors have provided PD to Ontario's public elementary teachers since the 1950s.
While school boards do provide some PD, the Education Ministry has long recognized that ETFO's professional development model is more efficient, practical, extensive and equitable than school boards could possibly deliver. Our PD is developed by academic and classroom teachers for teachers making it relevant to current curriculum and classroom needs. School Boards do not have the human capacity to deliver sustained and practical PD and many recognize this by partnering with our locals to deliver ETFO created PD for educators.
ETFO has always maintained rigorous accountability and reporting mechanisms for the professional development funding received from the government. .."
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
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
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
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
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."
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."
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)