ETFO Thames Valley Occasional Teachers' Local

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Columbia invitation; OCT Fees; NTIP evaluations; OMERS pensions; Education in the Ontario Budget; Retirement workshop.

Did you miss the Columbia Sportsewar Outlet invitation in last week's Wednesday Blog?
Details are further down in this week's edition.
Vailid from March 24/23 to April 16/23

1) TVOT members must pay their annual Ontario College of Teacher's (OCT) fees by April 15th to remain in good standing. Those in LTOs on January 1/23 will have had their fee deducted as verified on their TVDSB pay stub in the Employee Portal. To pay your fees online click https://www.oct.ca/members/college-fees . Those who do not pay will have their salary adjusted to non-certified pay and must pay an additional $130 penalty to OCT for re-instatement.

2) LTOs in NTIP are exempt from the Evaluation Process as it applies only to permanent Teachers. You can find out more at https://www.ontario.ca/page/new-teacher-induction-program

3) Newly certified Occasional Teachers who previously worked as UOTEs will have paid into the Ontario Municipal Employess Retirement System (OMERS) pension plan during that time. There is an opportunity to transfer these contributions to the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan. For more information on this process and the deadlines to apply for such a transrer, click on https://docs.otpp.com/PensionTransfers_FS.pdf

Planning for retirement when it’s ten years, five years, and one year away

Planning for retirement but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone. Here are some action items you can take as your retirement date draws closer.

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Columbia Sportswear Invitation; Remedy Payments Bill 115; New Paid PD events for TVOT Members; Retirement Workshop

Remedy Payment Update - Bill 115

The Ministry of Education has completed their review of all Bill 115 Remedy Notices of Objections and are in the process of updating the final eligibility payment list. This means transfer payments should be made to School Boards by April 1st. School Boards will then issue payments to those eligible by June 1st.

TWO NEW PAID PD EVENT Selections

Lamplighter Inn, London on March 29/23 from 4:30 - 7:30 PM

(dinner is provided)

1) Engagement and Integration in the Arts for the Occasional Teacher - This workshop is packed with fun, practical, easy-to-use activities and strategies for teaching drama, dance, visual arts and music. Occasional Teachers will become more confident in teaching the arts and leave with a variety of resources that are enjoyable for students, can be used immediately and are easily integrated into their teaching practice.

2) Special Education and the Occasional Teacher - Navigating the challenges of special education, student mental health, and occasional teaching. Participants will learn practical, classroom-based strategies to effectively plan and manage special education student programming and mental health needs as an Occasional Teacher. Throughout the workshop, we will share research, interventions, and strategies to help you and your students develop learning environments where all can succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.

Registration is via the TVDSB Employee Portal and participation counts for all purposes as a half-day of teaching, so come Earn While You Learn!

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Ramadan Begins Today - March 23, 2023

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Lots of LTOs out there; Final chance for Men's Health and Wellness Conference; Retirees Can Teach 95 days; Anxiety Workshop online tonight; Upcoming Retirement workshop;

- When a LTO is posted to the Occasional Teacher conference in TVDSB's Outlook, it is because no certified members have applied and so the LTO will be available to people who are not certified teachers. There are some great opportunities here for our TVOT members as these positions must first go to our members.

- Eligible OTs can participate at their convenience in the online paid PD selections listed in the Employee Portal with the deadline of June 30th; each module counts as a half-day of teaching.

- When a LTO leave states, "with Occasional Teacher cost deduction" it means that the day is not entirely unpaid because the LTO gets to keep the difference between their grid salary and the daily OT rate.

- The TVOT Local continues to advocate that members receive the scheduled prep periods of the Teachers they are replacing so keep track of the dates, locations and length of any missed prep time. This is a violation of our Collective Agreement and the Local will be seeking compensation for our members.

- The TVOT Office will be closed during March Break.

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TONIGHT

Deadline Extended -

Today is your last chance!

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Again, Ontario Courts rule that the Ford Government Acted Unconstitutionally

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TODAY IS -

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Your TVOT Office will be closed during March Break and will re-open when school resumes March 20, 2023.

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Central Bargaining update; ETFO Town Hall, Bursaries, Violence Survey; Discount available

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What does the Union / Local Do?

- We support members having difficulty with payroll, Administration, assignments etc. NB: ETFO stewards represent the permanent Teachers at that site. Representation for OTs/LTOs comes from your TVOT Local Office which you can reach at 519-641-3936 or etfotvot@gmail.com

- We negotiate the best possible terms and conditions of your employment through collective bargaining

- We provide guidance and respond to questions from TVOT members regarding these terms

- We provide meaningful professional development for our members, both as a Local and in conjunction with TVDSB staff development

We are your advocates.

Call us when you are unsure or at the first signs of difficulty!

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1) ETFO Provincial's Town Hall on Central Bargaining, is being held for ETFO members in Thames Valley tomorrow, March 2/23 from 8 - 9 PM. Several minutes before the start, members will receive a phone call from ETFO (416-800-9227). You will be contacted using the number on file with ETFO Provincial so be sure that your information is correct. To update your personal information, contact ETFO Member Records at memberrecords@etfo.org

2) This is the final week for members to complete the Violence in our Schools survey for ETFO Provincial. This is important information for ETFO as they negotiate with the government for the supports necessary for a safe environment in our schools. For more information go to http://etfohealthandsafety.ca/site/workplace-violence/violence-survey/

3) The deadline for Teachers/OTs to pay their annual OCT fee is April 15th. Please note that ETFO objects to the recent fee increase to $200, however a valid teaching certificate remains a requirement. Here is a link to the OCT fee page https://www.oct.ca/members/services/annual-membership-fee-information

4) Members have until April 30 to apply for one of ETFO Provincial's scholarship or bursaries. These are awarded to members and non-members entering faculties of education and members studying at the graduate level or upgrading their qualifications. Find out more at https://www.etfo.ca/about-us/awards-scholarships/etfo-scholarships-and-bursaries

5) TVOT members are reminded to record any lost prep time as the Local has filed a grievance with TVDSB in hopes of settling this breach of our Collective Agreement. We will keep members informed of any new developments.

6) TVOT members must teach at least 10 days in an elementary school in order to remain on the OT list for next school year.

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Travelling for March Break? Keep these safety tips in mind -

Whether you are planning a road trip or a sunny resort getaway, you want your holiday to be enjoyable and stress-free. Read our list of safety tips to help you prepare for a safe and memorable trip.

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

ETFO Town Hall; Free online Mental Health Resources; New TVDSB Homepage for OTs; Leadership and PD Opportunties from Provincial ETFO; Closing Ceremonies

NOTICE - March 2, 2023: All ETFO Teachers and Occasional Teachers in TVDSB are invited to participate on Thursday, March 2/23 from 8-9 pm, in an ETFO Telephone Town Hall for an update and opportunity to address questions related to central bargaining.

A few minutes before the meeting, members will receive a phone call from Provincial ETFO (416-800-9227), inviting them to join the Town Hall so please ensure that your main telephone number on file with ETFO Provincial is accurate.

To update this information, contact ETFO Member Records at memberrecords@etfo.org no later than 1 pm, Friday February, 24/23.

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Access free online mental health resources

As a part of Ontario's Education Community, you have access to FeelingBetterNow, an e-mental health platform for assessment and treatment.

This platform uses evidence-based e-mental health technologies to help you improve your mental health, allowing you to confidentially identify mental health issues early and take immediate action.

Learn more by watching this FeelingBetterNow informational video and sign up for your confidential and anonymous account at https://www.feelingbetternow.com/otip.

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NEW: TVDSB's Occasional Teacher Home Page

To access the Board's new Occasional Teacher home page, first log into your TVDSB "Outlook" account.

Next, click on the Microsoft waffle icon at the top left corner and select "SharePoint". Once there, use the search feature at the top to look for "Occasional Teachers". This will bring you to the new site which centralizes pertinent links and information for OTs.

For example, in "Board Information", members can find a map of the TVDSB region. Did you know that most Occasional Teachers live in London and many are not aware of how many schools are just a few kilometres outside of town? We encourage members to give these a try - rural schools are often undiscovered gems.

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ETFO Provincial's Violence Survey

If you did not receive a link to this survey, please email Member Records at memberrecords@etfo.org (include your ETFO membership ID number if possible.)

ETFO Provincial PD and Leadership Opportunities -

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ETFO Provincial has 2 New Podcasts - (available on most podcast apps)

- The first new podcast features an ETFO member who strives to reduce violent student behaviour, and a professor at the University of Ottawa who studies workplace violence against Teachers and education workers.

- The second new podcast features a panel discussion recorded at the recent symposium: "Generation Black! You're Next"

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Go to https://lbhcc.ca/events for more information about this event and the African Food Festival being held that same day, sponsored by the London Black History Coordinating Committee.

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February 22, 2023 is Pink Shirt Day reminding everyone of their duty to take a stand against bullying!

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February 22, 2023 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day - in Canada, 68% of all such cases take place in Ontario!