Fall General Meeting Next Week!, ETFO's Workplace Violence Survey, OTF's AgScape

Our Fall General Meeting and Banquet is 1 week away!!
Don't wait until it's too late.
Register to attend this wonderful festive meal in the Crystal Ballroom at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn,
591 Wellington Road South in London from 4:30 - 7:30 pm. 
All registrants in attendance will receive a free insulated water bottle.  Come meet other Occasional Teachers.
We're looking forward to seeing you there.
Register at www.etfotvot.com
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In a partnership with two professors from the University of Ottawa, ETFO Provincial is presenting a New Survey re Violence in Schools.

On December 4th, we will be sharing a link to a new survey that builds on ETFO's Workplace Violence Survey asking educators (teachers, occasional teachers, PSP/ESPs, DECEs) about a broad range of workplace harassment (e.g., slurs, insults, and put downs) as well as threats, attempts and acts of physical aggression. In addition to documenting educators' experiences, the goal of this new research is to unpack how vulnerability, experience, and institutional response are conditioned by intersecting factors (e.g., gender, ethnicity, dis/ability). To the best of our knowledge, this survey will be the first of its kind in North America.

The survey which focuses on the 2017-2018 school year, includes both closed and open-ended questions and will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Confidentiality and privacy will be taken very seriously. Members will be able to complete the survey without providing identifiable information and will not be asked the name of the school in which they work.

Results will be tabulated and a comprehensive report made available to ETFO early in the new year. The researchers have also indicated that they will be able to provide a "Key Local Findings" report to each ETFO Local describing research results from their area.  All participation by members would be extremely beneficial.

Members will receive a heads up today through the e-newsletter process. The survey will be available next Monday at the following link:  http://www.edviol.net , and will remain open until December 23rd at 11:59 pm.
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From OTF

As the voice of Agriculture in the classrooms of Ontario, AgScape provides factual, balanced, curriculum-linked food literacy programs and resources to Ontario's educators and students.

All AgScape classroom programs and resources are designed to reflect core values in providing factual and non-biased information to ensure a balanced presentation of facts.

Lesson plans and resources in several subject areas for Grades 1-12.

www.agscape.ca/resources

Come Celebrate: OTF's "Making Math Moments That Matter"; The Winners are...

Come Celebrate with Us 

Plans are finalizing for out Fall General Meeting and Banquet taking place at the Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road South in London, on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm.
We have a festive meal planned which includes Roast Breast of Young Ontario Turkey with a Traditional Dressing and Cranberry Sauce, and Stuffed Gigantic Pasta Shells along with Ricotta Cheese.

Don't miss out - register at www.etfotvot.com under Member Services!
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Empower your students to become resilient problem solvers in your mathematics classroom. Learn how to use a three-part framework for building easy-to-plan and fun-to-deliver lessons that kids will not only love, but also learn from, regardless of their level of readiness!

In the Making Math Moments That Matter video series, two Ontario teachers, John Orr and Kyle Pearce,  show that we can reach all students in our math classes, regardless of the range of skills in our math classrooms.

The Ontario Teachers' Federation is proud to share this free four-part video series, Making Math Moments That Matter. To watch the first video in the series, go to makemathmoments.com  and register to be notified when each new lesson is released.
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ETFOTVOT Survey Winners
Thank you to the hundreds who participated in our Local Survey.  We are pleased to announce the winners of the $100 Gift Cards:

1. Ha Yoon Kim                                                                  
2. Jessie Vinnons
3. Julie West

Congratulations and the Local will contact these OTs to arrange delivery of their gift cards.

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ETFO Provincial Bargaining Survey
Members have until 11:59 PM on  Sunday, November 25th to complete ETFO Provincial's Central Bargaining Survey.
By Friday, members should receive an email from Strategic Communications (Stratcom) with the link so please check your Inbox (or Spam folder) to ensure you have a chance to participate. If you do not hear from Stratcom and wish to participate, follow the instructions at the link:  http://www.etfocb.ca/contact-us/

One more day for chance at $100; Successful Daily Assignment cont'd; TVOT Fall General Meeting and Banquet

Local Survey Deadline
The deadline to complete the TVOT Collective Bargaining Survey and have your say is tomorrow, November 15th!  Don't miss your chance to provide your opinion AND have a chance to win one of three $100 Gift Cards. Here is the link to the CB Survey -
http://www.surveyshare.com/s/AYAMY7A
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Take a Stand for Your Rights in Ontario
If you have not yet sent a message to your MPP to protect fairer worker's rights, please do so today at http://www.myrights.ca/email_mpp






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More Tips for a Successful Daily Assignment 

What can I do to encourage appropriate behaviour?
First and foremost, be proactive. Preventing discipline problems is easier and more effective than responding to them.  When a well-planned, stimulating learning environment is created, most behaviour problems can be avoided. Student behaviour may appear to be more disorderly when an occasional teacher is in the classroom because some students may take advantage of your lack of familiarity with the rules and routines. In other words, they try to test the established limits.

How can I be proactive?

• Arrive early. (Education Act requires you be there 15 minutes before class)
• Review lesson plans.
• Gather the necessary materials (e.g., photocopy a class set of work sheets).
• Identify potential times for off-task misbehaviour such as transitions or when work is completed. Try to make transitions quickly and smoothly by planning ahead and knowing what comes next. Also, have some prepared activities appropriate for the grade and/or division. These may include puzzles, trivia and word games. When students are busy and on-task, there is a lower rate of misbehaviour. 
• Check the daybook, calendar or memos to see if there will be any alterations to the regular school day (e.g., assemblies, drills).
• Write an outline of the day's activities on the board for students to see.
• Locate a seating plan or be prepared to make one.
• Familiarize yourself with students who have special needs (e.g., behaviour plans, medications safety plan). This information should be in the daybook. If it isn't, check with the school administration or secretary.
• Review classroom rules, routines and expectations.
•  At the start of class inform the students that the regular classroom rules, routines and expectations will be followed.
• Inform students about what you need them to do rather than what they need to stop doing.
• Provide clear instructions before an activity begins, offering students an opportunity to ask questions.
• If unsure about how to approach any of the topics in the plans left for you, seek input and directions from your school administrator and the appropriate board resource consultant.

Occasional teachers who receive a plan for an assignment that includes a sexual health component may wish to seek direction from the administrator about whether the lesson should proceed or whether an alternative lesson should be delivered so that the sexual health component may be delivered by the returning classroom teacher, who may be more known to students.
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Don't put off registering to attend our Fall General Meeting and Banquet.
The setting, delicious food, festive time of year contribute to an enjoyable and informative evening where you can ask questions and learn from your Local Executive.
Registration at:  www.etfotvot.com
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Truth and Reconciliation 
A discussion booklet for the classroom (Grades 5 to 12)
OTF Interaction; Oct. 2018

The Student Voice Series is a resource to support discussions about complex societal issues using the voice of students. In this booklet, you will find student responses to questions and classroom discussions, residential school survivor statements, visuals, and key information from the reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Free online lesson plans and discussion questions on Truth and Reconciliation are available for registered imagineaction (a social justice program of the Canadian Teachers' Federation) teachers.   If you're not yet registered as an Imagineaction teacher, visit: www.imagine-action.ca and follow the instructions. It's simple and free.

Win $100 participate in Local Member Survey

     

                                           
   

Deadline is just days away!
Three members who complete the Local survey will win $100 gift cards to use as they please.
Go to this link for your chance to win!
                 



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Central Bargaining Survey

Since our Collective Agreement expires as of August 31, 2019, ETFO Provincial has contracted a research firm called Strategic Communications Inc. (Stratcom) to assist us in determining your bargaining priorities. Here are the ways you may be contacted by Stratcom to participate in the central surveying process starting next week:

• Online Survey Email - On November 5 or shortly after, members will receive an email entitled ETFO All Member 2019 Central Goal Setting Online Survey, with a personalized unique link to participate in an online central bargaining survey. Please watch for that link. The survey will be open until November 21.

• Telephone Survey - From November 7 to 21, a Stratcom interviewer will telephone a randomly selected group of ETFO members to participate in the bargaining survey over the phone. Members who have already completed the online version of the survey will not be able to participate in the phone survey. This will ensure ETFO receives input from as many members as possible.

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Still spots for Oct. 30th PD Event, Membership Survey and....

For Members only  -  Night of Craft, Care and Camaraderie
There are still spots available to attend our Night of Craft, Care and Camaraderie PD Event taking place next Tuesday, October 30th, from 4:30 - 7:30 pm at the BMO Centre, 295 Rectory Street in London.  We'll enjoy a warm meal together before breaking out to our selected workshops. Which are:
1) Self-Care as a Practice....Because You Are Worth It!
2) Crock A Doodle Paint Night!
3) Fused Glass Workshop

Please go to www.etfotvot.com to register but act quickly as we need to provide numbers for our meals by Friday, Oct. 26th.  We ask that you advise us if you cannot attend so that we may cancel your meal.
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Win One of Three $100 Gift Cards! 
Our Collective Agreement is set to expire the end of August. In preparation for this next round, our Collective Bargaining Committee would like to hear from the membership regarding your concerns. As an incentive to complete and submit the survey, the Local will draw for three $100 gift cards from those who participate. If a member wishes to be eligible for these draws, they must include their TVDSB employee number to allow the Local to identify the winners.

Here is the link to the CB Survey -
http://www.surveyshare.com/s/AYAMY7A                       Survey Closes November 15, 2018 
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It's Easy to Be in the Know:
Subscribe to Provincial ETFO's Award-winning E-Newsletter
Get all the latest news from ETFO by subscribing to this newsletter which comes right to your email account. This latest edition lets members know about:

• Three Steps to English Proficiency (STEPs) webcasts which provides Teachers with a tool to track their ELL students at the same time as they do their planning. Visit -http://etfo.ca/SupportingMembers/Resources/Pages/stepwebcasts.aspx

• Three ways for members to support the "15 and Fairness" campaign -                     http://etfo.ca/DrivingLabourAction/ETFO TakesAction/Pages/15andFairness.aspx

• How Teachers can have a say in the government consultations, now underway - https://www.buildingbetterschools.ca/consultations  

Subscribe now at - https://www.buildingbetterschools.ca/consultations

Tips for a Successful Daily Assignment: #1, ETFO 1-day workshop (Nov. 26) and OCT. 30th TVOT PD Event

Why is a positive classroom environment so important for an occasional  teacher to establish?

Students become comfortable with established routines and the familiarity of their own classroom teacher. The absence of their regular teacher can disrupt everything to which the students are accustomed. This is especially evident when the arrival of an occasional teacher is unexpected. Students need to feel welcome and comfortable in their own classroom and to have as much continuity as possible in their everyday activities.

How do I create a positive learning environment and establish a respectful relationship with the class?

Successful occasional teachers have compiled the following tips for creating a positive learning environment:

• Greet students at the door.
• Smile.
• Introduce yourself.
• Tell the students something about yourself.
• Explain why you are there.
• Allow students an opportunity to introduce themselves or each other.
• Allow students to take ownership of their classroom by asking them to explain the established rules and routines.
• Try to adhere to these rules and routines as closely as possible.
• If a temporary rule or routine is required provide the students with a reason for its need; record it on the board as a reminder.
• Treat each student with respect and dignity; it will be returned to you.
• Call each student by name (use name tags or cards).
• Be an active, attentive listener.
• Be fair and consistent.
• Maintain a confident composure.
• Encourage appropriate behaviour by acknowledging it.
• Do an icebreaker activity.

To be continued next week.
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ETFO invites 60 women members to register for a one-day workshop on November 26 that will take members through play-based activities from the First Nations, Metis and Inuit Education Resource: Engaging Learners Through Play while engaging in learning and dialogue about Indigenous worldviews, treaties, residential schools and leadership. Release time, travel, double accommodation (as required), dependent care and meals will be provided to members who are traveling from greater distances outside the GTA. There is a $25 registration fee. The deadline to apply is October 29, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. For more information or to apply, please visit the ETFO Events Management System at https://events.etfo.org/upcoming-events/ .

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Save the date for our upcoming PD Event scheduled for October 30th at the BMO Centre from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.  An email will be sent to all members with accounts on the ETFO-TVOT website advising when registration will be open and a description of the 3 workshops being offered.
To create your account if you haven't already got one, go to: www.etfotvot.com and go to
 "Create and Account".  We remind you to please use your personal email address when creating your account as it is inappropriate to use the Board's email system for Union business nor is it private.

TVDSB Trustee Elections; Advice for Members re: Fall Reporting Processes from ETFO-Provincial; It's in the Mail - Columbia Invitation

Municipal Election Day is Monday, October 22, 2018
Aside from selecting Mayors and Councillors, October 22nd is the day when voters chose those who will represent their interests as school board Trustees.  Trustees are responsible for setting the direction of the school board, allocating funds and implementing provincial policies.

The Thames Valley Union Council, comprised of CUPE 4222, CUPE 7575, ETFO Thames Valley Teachers' Local, ETFO Thames Valley Occasional Teachers' Local and the bargaining units of OSSTF District 11, met recently to review those candidates running for Trustees of the Thames Valley District School Board.
As a result of these deliberations, Union Council has agreed to ask our members to consider supporting the following Trustee candidates (two Trustees to be elected per ward):

Wards 1, 11, 12, 14:  Sheri Polhill and Amanda Stratton
Wards 2, 3, 4, 5, 6:  Leroy Osbourne and Corrinne Rahman
Wards 7, 8, 9, 10, 13: Joyce Bennett
Middlesex County: Sean Hunt and Arlene Morell
Oxford County: Bill McKinnon
Elgin County:  Peter Rochus and Bruce Smith

The term of office for a school board Trustee runs from December 1, 2018 until November 14, 2022. N.B. Regardless of your riding, election for Trustees is not by ranked ballot.
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From ETFO Provincial, Members will now be focused on completing the Progress Report for Grades 1 - 8 and the Kindergarten Communication of Learning: Initial Observations. It will be important to remind them of the areas where they may exercise the their professional judgement during the process. Feel free to review the following links:

Grades 1 to 8
http://etfo.ca/SupportingMembers/Professionals/PJdocs/PJM-PRC.pdf

Kindergarten
http://www.etfo.ca/SupportingMembers/Professionsla/PJdocs/PJM-KFC.pdf
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It's in the Mail
This year's pocket calendar is in the mail along with our Fall ETFOTVOT newsletter.   Check out all the important news for members and look for your latest invitation to the Columbia Employee Outlet Store which will welcome our members from October 12 to November 4. 
Finally, please take a few minutes to visit the link and complete our membership survey - we want to know what is important to our members and look forward to your comments and questions.
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But We Missed You ...
Thank you to all who attended our first PD for the 2018-2019 school year at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn yesterday afternoon. Once again, the venue, delicious meal and beneficial workshops offered by wonderful presenters was very well received.
Save the date for our next PD event scheduled to take place on October 30, 2018 from 4:30 - 7:30 PM at the BMO Centre, 295 Rectory Street in London.
Stay tuned for the workshops being offered and notification when registration will open on the ETFO-TVOT website.
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