Earn While You Learn - Nov. 17th Paid PA Day; ETFO's Winter 2024 Session of AQ Courses; Violence and Harassment Against Educators Survey and Anti-Bullying Week.

November 17th Paid PA Day 

Some spots are still available for Friday's sessions. For full details and to register, log into the Board's Employee Portal > Conference Session Registration > and then click on "Elementary Occasional Teacher PD".  Earn a half-day teaching salary on the November PA Day by participating in one of TVDSB's paid PD sessions.

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ETFO's Winter 2024 Session of AQ courses (developed by Teachers) begins in January. Visit https://etfo-aq.ca/ for the full catalogue of opportunities.

November 15th is Wear Purple Day. Help to raise awareness for abused women and girls, and let them know they are not alone. For more information about this campaign visit https://www.lawc.on.ca/shine-the-light-on-woman-abuse-campaign

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In Ontario, Anti-Bullying Week begins the third Sunday of November each year.

Earning Salary on PA Days; No First Duties; Lost Prep Periods; Be in the Know;

 

Did you know you can earn a half-day teaching salary on the November PA Day by participating in one of TVDSB's paid PD sessions? Workshops cover topics such as Behaviour Management, Primary Reading, Teaching French without FSL and Math. For full details and to register, log into the Board's Employee Portal > Conference Session Registration > and then click on "Elementary Occasional Teacher PD". 

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- Are you aware that your Collective Agreement does not allow daily OTs to take a supervisory duty prior to the start of class on the first morning of an assignment or, if it is an afternoon assignment, before that first afternoon of the assignment? This was negotiated because both the Board and the Union agree that daily OTs need this time to prepare. TVOT members who ignore this clause of Article L18.03(a) not only violate their Collective Agreement, but make it more difficult for the rest of us to take advantage of this provision.

- Remember that the Education Act requires all Teachers to be present in the classroom at least 15 minutes before the start of class in the morning, and at least 5 minutes before the start of class in the afternoon.

- Union representation for OTs/LTOs comes from the TVOT Local Office. School Stewards represent the permanent Teachers at that site and do not know your Collective Agreement. Never hesitate to contact your TVOT Local - we are your support.

- For purposes of Employment Insurance, each day is reported as 8 hours.

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Daily Occasional Teachers are to follow the timetable of the Teacher they are replacing, with the exception of no first duties before the first day of a daily assignment or first afternoon of an afternoon assignment.  OTs are to cover the other assigned duties; we are to receive the scheduled prep periods of the absent Teacher. Should an Administrator ask you to use your prep period to cover a class etc., the Local encourages members to keep track of the date, the school, the time of the scheduled prep period and the number of minutes that were lost. In previous years, the Local has negotiated payment for such lost time so we ask that members please advise the Local at etfotvot@gmail.com so that we can track if the problem is systemic again this school year. Remember that a right gained, is never a right secured - we must all remain vigilant.

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Want to keep abreast about ETFO OT/Teacher bargaining? Register for updates at https://members.etfo.ca/login?returnurl=/ 

Want to know what is going on in your own OT Local? Register at www.etfotvot.com

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Winter Tire 101

It’s no secret that getting from point A to point B in the middle of a Canadian blizzard can be tough. Thankfully, there’s one simple step you can take towards a safer winter drive: installing a set of quality winter tires.

Read more at www.otip.com/article171. #OTIPUpdate

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May We Never Forget Those Who Have Given Their Lives For Us.

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ETFO Violence Work Refusal Checklist; Know Your Rights Video; Using Sick Leave Correctly; Central Bargaining Bulletin 10; ETFO Women's Workshop

Learn how to use the above "Violence Work Refusal Checklist" and hear about ETFO Provincial's Multi-Year Strategy to address the violence we face in our classrooms, by logging into the Secure Site of www.etfo.ca and listening to the October 25th ETFO Town Hall.

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Sick Leave Absences -

It is extremely important that LTOs enter their absences correctly as errors may be interpreted by the Board as acts of fraud. 

The Collective Agreement only allows sick leave to be used for:

- personal illness, injury, clinical tests, hospitalization, emergency dental or reasons certified by medical/dental practitioner

- up to 5 days/year as care days for LTO to care for a child, parent or spouse

- up to 3 days/year as act of nature days if a LTO is unavoidable absent because of a local act of nature between their home and worksite.

For other absences, contact your TVOT office or check Article L10.00 of your Collective Agreement.

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Raising awareness and funding for men's health issues such as prostrate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention -

- from Trent University

November is Financial Literacy Month

Pay grids. Pension contributions. Deferred leaves. These are all factors unique to education members. And each of these factors plays an important role when it comes to your overall financial journey.

This month, take time to empower yourself and invest in your own financial wellbeing. By being financially literate, you can better manage life events such as buying your first home, having a child, or retiring early.

Check out these upcoming events and educational resources to help strengthen your financial literacy and make more informed decisions about your money:

·         NEW First Home Savings Account (FHSA) resources:

o   FHSA 101 on-demand webinar: https://bit.ly/3QbbJea

o   A step-by-step guide: Using a First Home Savings Account to help you save for your first home: https://bit.ly/46LwILJ

·         Walk into Retirement with a Plan – sign up for upcoming workshops and webinars in collaboration with OTIP: https://otip.my.salesforce-sites.com/wrpen/

·         Financial literacy newsletter – get educator-specific tips and resources straight to your inbox every month, plus your chance to win a $50 gift card: https://bit.ly/3Q6ptqK

Brought to you by Educators Financial Group.

ETFO Telephone Town Hall tonight; Lamplighter PD Event Nov 1; Check for Errors etc.

 

ETFO Telephone Town Hall - Tonight

Wednesday, October 25/23  6:30 - 7:30 PM

• ETFO President Karen Brown will share information about the work of ETFO's Multi-Year Strategy to address workplace violence;
• Legal Counsel Howard Goldblatt will share information about the right of workers to refuse unsafe work;
• ETFO's new Checklist for Violence will be unveiled, and 
• The results of the 2023 All-Member Violence Survey will be discussed.

Pre-registration is necessary so click here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6JstzyllpMotP-uwXmz9DYKOkfJlmdTgP-xIWsNJ0reuqpg/viewform

An audio file of the meeting will be available in the ETFO Secure site as of Monday, October 30th.

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Paid PD Event

November 1, 2023 - Lamplighter Inn in London

4:30 - 7:30 PM (Buffet dinner provided so please let us know if you must cancel)

For all purposes, each session counts as a half-day of teaching.

Option 1) Teaching the Fundamentals of Fractions: This workshop will outline the progression of teaching fractions for Gr. 3-8 as outlined in "Fractions Learning Pathway". Make and use concrete tools to simplify the understanding of unit fractions, fraction equivalency, and operating with fractions.

Option 2) Uncovering the New 2022 Junior/Intermediate Science Curriculum: This workshop will support J/I Teachers in planning engaging activities using experimental processes for student learning. You will leave armed with new knowledge, resources and practical tips for bringing these concepts to your classroom.

Register in the TVDSB Employee Portal!

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-  OTs can log into the Board's SharePoint to find a dedicated page of information for TVDSB Occasional Teachers related to their employment. 

- Payroll errors happen frequently so be sure to check your paystubs regularly as members only have 12 months to request corrections.

- QECO does not forward your rating to the Board as it is personal information. If you are in a LTO assignment, be sure that HR has your rating and proof of teaching experience outside of TVDSB so that your pay reflects proper placement on the salary grid.

- Daily experience with other Ontario school Boards counts for experience credit when you are in a long-term assignment with TVDSB.

- Daily Occasional Teachers do not need to be FSL qualified in order to accept daily French assignments.

- LTOs in full year, full FTE assignments with posted end dates have access to 11 days of paid sick leave per year followed by Short Term Leave Disability Plan / STLDP days at 90% salary once sick days are exhausted. For more information, contact your Local at etfotvot@gmail.com

- It's not too early to apply for your $75 annual Resource Rebate so look for the form in the member section of our Local website www.etfotvot.com

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Please contact the TVOT Office at mail@etfotvot.com if you did not receive this year's pocket calendar and annual newsletter. 

We recommend TVOT members keep both for handy reference and important information.

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ETFO's Video Warning about Public Education in Ontario

October is the month to recognize -

New In-Person PD Events; Did you Know?

 

November 1, 2023 - Lamplighter Inn in London

4:30 - 7:30 PM (Buffet dinner provided so please let us know if you must cancel)

For all purposes, each session counts as a half-day of teaching.

Option 1) Teaching the Fundamentals of Fractions: This workshop will outline the progression of teaching fractions for Gr. 3-8 as outlined in "Fractions Learning Pathway". Make and use concrete tools to simplify the understanding of unit fractions, fraction equivalency, and operating with fractions.

Option 2) Uncovering the New 2022 Junior/Intermediate Science Curriculum: This workshop will support J/I Teachers in planning engaging activities using experimental processes for student learning. You will leave armed with new knowledge, resources and practical tips for bringing these concepts to your classroom.

Option 3) Supporting Students with Tiered Response, Universal Design for Learning and Differentiated Instruction: Find out how to meet the diverse needs of your students by learning how to apply these strategies and develop instructional practices to decrease learning barriers within the classroom. Participants will have the opportunity to create diagnostic tools, surveys, and choice boards to address student needs.

Register in the TVDSB Employee Portal!

Your Collective Agreement Provides:

L18.02      The timetable for an Occasional Teacher shall be the same as the timetable of the Teacher being replaced except as set forth in Articles L17.03 and L17.05.

 

L18.03    (a)     Unless hired for a long-term occasional assignment in accordance with the provisions of Article L14, an Occasional Teacher shall not be assigned supervisory duties prior to the commencement of class on the first morning of an assignment or prior to the commencement of the afternoon class on the first day if it is a half-day afternoon assignment.

 (b)      Where an Occasional Teacher is hired for a vacancy for preparation time coverage, IPRC coverage, etc., that Occasional Teacher shall be assigned no more than one supervisory duty.

 

(c)     If the assignment is for the Occasional Teacher to provide preparation time payback in full day assignment, then that Occasional Teacher shall be provided with a minimum of forty (40) minutes preparation time at the beginning of the assignment. 

ETFO video: Women Voters and Lawmakers - A Woman's (Political) Work is Never Done

Strike Votes; Your Pension Webinar; Cyber Security Resources; Memo from Stephen Lecce re Middle East

Your TVOT Local thanks everyone who attended the mass meeting at Budweiser Gardens last week.

TVOT voters gave your Local negotiating team, a strong Local strike mandate. 

ETFO Central strike results will be released by Provincial ETFO once all Locals have completed voting.

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Being A Member Webinar – Your Life as a Teacher (for early to mid-career members) - 1.5 hours Your pension is one of your most important financial assets. Consider this your Pension 101. Designed for all early to midcareer members, you will gain an understanding of how your contributions and pension are calculated, how to maximize your pension benefit and how some life events may impact your pension. Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 4:30 pm You will receive an email confirming your registration and a reminder email one hour before the webinar begins.

To Register - https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b9c8b27b-2694-4348-bee7-f1b1add48ac5@022f3b02-6070-4e91-a96f-2206ab7ebb08

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 We don’t stop at exclusive insurance discounts… We go the extra mile, like you.

Get exclusive auto and home insurance discounts and a $20 gift card of your choice when you get a quote!*

 

Plus, you can keep that refreshed look with a new wardrobe!

Get a quote in October and you’ll be automatically entered into our

Back to School Bonus Contest for a chance to

win a $1,000 Mark’s gift card.

 Get an online quote or call 1-866-206-7523 and mention this offer.

 * Restrictions apply. See Rules and regulations.  

Want another chance to win?

When you complete our 5-minute Back to School Survey, you could be

one of ten lucky winners of a $50 gift card of your choice.

 You only have until October 31, 2023, so start the survey now! 

Read the rules and regulations here.

Click on these links for resources to support the annual K-12 Cyber Awareness Month of October:

https://ecno.org/cyber-awareness/ provides posters, videos, quizzes etc.

https://ecno.org/cyber-awareness-calendar/ is an interactive calendar highlighting monthly themes 

https://cybersecurityontario.ca/ is a learning hub for educators

https://cybersecurityontario.ca/k-12 additional Ontario resources for educators

N.B. The memo below was released to school boards last night. It asks that educators be aware of the impact that the tragic events in the Middle East may have on students, and encourages staff to ensure safe spaces for all: 

Memorandum to: Chairs of District School Boards; Directors of Education; Secretary/Treasurers of School Authorities

From: Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education 

Subject: Supporting students following recent terror events in Israel

Over the weekend, governments from around the world and at all levels across Canada, including Ontario, condemned the horrific acts of terrorism against Israeli civilians at the hands of Hamas, a terrorist group as defined by the Government of Canada.

Emerging from these tragic events, discussions about matters taking place in the Middle East may make their way into schools. Many students have direct connections to these horrific acts through family, community, identity and history. They will inevitably be impacted by what they see on the news or read on social media.

We have seen the unfortunate rise of intolerance and antisemitic acts at a record high in Ontario and in Ontario's schools. As educators and staff, we ask you to be proactive, compassionate, and determined to stop any form of hate impacting students, such as Antisemitism or Islamophobia in Ontario classrooms. We ask that you remind your school communities about the ongoing importance of creating safe spaces for the students and staff that enter each day.

Please lean into the newly mandated Holocaust education curriculum to better understand how to provide students with knowledge of history. The following resource hub was developed in partnership with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) to align with the Ontario curriculum and may be  helpful in discussing, recognizing, and combatting antisemitism: Unlearn Antisemitism

Thank you for your ongoing leadership and commitment to creating learning and working environments that are safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all students and staff.

Sincerely, 

Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education

Important Strike Votes; ETFO Awards for Members; Your Collective Agreement; Earn While You Learn

IMPORTANT - Central and Local STRIKE VOTE INFORMATION

Your TVOT Local Executive and your Collective Bargaining Team have decided to include a Local strike vote at the ETFO Central Strike Vote being held at Budweiser Gardens on Thursday, October 5, 2023 as little progress has been made at the bargaining table to date.

Registration opens at 4 PM and Occasional Teachers/LTOs will register separately from permanent Teachers. Please bring photo ID.

The meeting will commence at 5:30 PM with light refreshments being provided. 

Members must be present in order to cast a ballot. 

For parking options in the vicinity check https://www.budweisergardens.com/plan-your-night/parking

We look forward to seeing you there!

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It's In Your Collective Agreement -

- No first duty for daily OTs on the first day of an assignment or first afternoon if it is an afternoon assignment, because we need that time to prepare. (Article L18.03), so advise the Office that your Union will not allow you to accept that duty in violation of your Agreement.

- Daily OTs follow the timetable of the Teacher they are replacing (Article L18.02), including that Teacher's supervision duties and their prep periods.

- For the sake of continuity, daily OTs should leave a report at the end of the day to assist the returning permanent Teacher. (Article L18.01 (b).

 

Still Time to Register for TVDSB Paid PD - 

For more information on how to earn money this Friday, check last week's Wednesday Blog.

Registration for both in-person and virtual sessions can be found in the Employee Portal. 

Payment is triggered once Staff Development receives your Reflection Form.