Resources for Special Education; Upcoming ETFO Provincial workshops; Notice of terminating LTO assignments; Confidential Employee Assistance; Report Cards

 

Developed by the Ontario Teachers' Federation (OTF) with funding from the Ministry of Education, "The Teachers' Gateway to Special Education"  has become a great source for strategies and resources to help Teachers address the unique needs of students from K - 12. The website includes links to Board special education plans, Ministry documents, definitions of key Spec. Ed. terms and can be used as a practical guide for Teachers building Individual Education Plans (IEPs).  Here is your link https://www.teachspeced.ca/

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- Many ETFO Provincial workshops include payment for lost teaching time, travel, meal expenses and accommodations. This includes train travel to events.

- Any LTO assignment with a posted end date, can be terminated on the early return of the Teacher with 10 days notice or money in lieu of notice. (Art. L5.07)

- A LTO can only comment in report cards on the time they have spent in the assignment. They can be asked to input other assessments and remarks, but then the Administrator would sign the reports. Art. L35.00)

- Any LTO assignment with an undetermined end date can be terminated on the early return of the Teacher with 3 days notice or money in lieu of notice. (Art. L5.07 (b).

- All Occasional Teachers must teach 10 full days in an elementary school to remain on the OT List. LTO days and paid PD days count towards this threshold. (Art. L6.08)

- The timetable of the daily OT is the same timetable as the permanent Teacher you are replacing - no extra/switched duties etc. (Art. L18.02)

- Daily and LTO Occasional Teachers have confidential access to TVDSB's Telus Health Employee Assistance Plan at no cost. Look for the link on the same page as you use to log into the TVDSB Employee Portal.

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TVOT Collective Agreement; Inclement weather; Paid PD spots available; Use of sick leave; Experience credit for daily OT work; Violence in Schools

Where do you find your TVOT Collective Agreement and the most recent salary grid? 

Check "Documents" in Member Services at  www.etfotvot.com or in the Human Resources section of TVDSB's website.

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LTOs and Snow Days: Just a reminder to those in long-term assignments that if necessary, they can access an "Act of Nature" day if it is unsafe to drive - 

Article L9.04(b) Act of Nature – A Long-Term Occasional Teacher who is unavoidably absent due to a local act of nature over which no one has control may be granted up to three (3) school days leave per school year with no deduction of sick leave. A Teacher may apply in writing to the Superintendent of Human Resources or designate for an increase in the maximum allowable days under this section. It is understood and agreed that a “local act of nature” is an act of nature that occurs within the geographic area between the Teacher’s home address and the school or worksite of said Teacher.

It is understood as agreed to under the Central Letter of Agreement #7 that the combined maximum number of days for care days and act of nature days is five (5) days per school year. The days shall not be used for the purpose of sick leave nor shall they be accumulated from year to year.

Please also note - 

Article L10.01       INCLEMENT WEATHER - A Long-Term Occasional Teacher or a Short-Term Occasional Teacher who is delayed by local weather and/or road conditions but arrives at school as soon as possible during the regular school hours of that day will not have a salary deduction made. It is the Occasional Teacher’s responsibility to notify the Principal, Supervisor or designate of the situation as soon as possible. “Local” means within the geographic area between the Occasional Teacher’s home address and the school or worksite of said Occasional Teacher.

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Time is Running Out - Register now as spots are still available in the following paid PD workshops )(participation counts for all purposes as time worked for TVDSB):

- Thursday, Jan. 16/25 from 4:30 - 7:30 PM at BMO Centre (dinner provided): "Empowering Students Through Drama"

- Friday, Jan. 17/25 virtual and in-person sessions offered in the morning and afternoon of this Board PA Day: "Canva for Occasional Teachers"; "How to Start the Day Off Right"; "Oh No! I have to Teach Music"  

Register via TVDSB Employee Portal in "Conference/Sessions Registration" under "Elementary/Dual Occasional Teacher Synchronous Session". 

For further information, contact Terri Mannning in System Staff Development t.manning@atvdsb.ca

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- It is very important that LTOs enter their absences correctly; misuse of sick leave can be construed by the Board as fraud. Contact your OT Office with any questions.

- Even daily occasional teaching experience from other Canadian school boards will be recognized for grid placement so be sure to submit all relevant documentation to H.R. once you are in a LTO position. 

- The Collective Agreement states that under no circumstances will a TVOT Occasional Teacher be paid for less than a half-day; assignments will be pro-rated after that when replacing a permanent Teacher whose job is less than 1.0 FTE (Article L7.03)

- A TVOT Occasional Teacher must teach ten days in an elementary school in order to remain on TVDSB's Occasional Teacher list, unless they are on a Board approved leave (Article L6.08 d)

- The timetable of the daily Occasional Teacher is the timetable of the permanent Teacher that they are replacing. There can be no additional or switched duties etc.

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Five Myths About Violence in Schools, presented by ETFO Provincial

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Unsure about something related to your employment? Contact your OT Local - We are here to assist you. 

519-641-3936 or mail@etfotvot.com

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No matter what your financial goals are, an (please tag @Educators Financial Group on Facebook or @EducatorsFG on Twitter/Instagram) financial advisor can help you reach them. Plus, for a limited time, get $100 when you open and invest in a new RRSP, TFSA, FHSA, or non-registered account*: https://bit.ly/4iQCemI. #EFGtips

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Snow Day Cancellations; OCT fees; Full Year Leave From TVDSB; Pensionable Teaching Years; New Paid PD Sessions; Columbia Store Invitations

 

- The TVOT Local has heard from many daily OT  members who had their jobs cancelled during one of the recent snow days. It is the Union's position that many of these jobs were cancelled without the 2 hours advance notice provided by our Collective Agreement. The Local asks members to be patient and stay tuned as we work to resolve this issue with TVDSB.

- TVDSB automatically deducts the annual Ontario College of Teachers' (OCT) fee from the salary of those who are in a long-term assignment at the beginning of each January. OCT fees are due in January.

- TVOT members only have until December 30th to request a full year leave of absence for the current school year. To apply go to Laserfiche (left hand side in the TVDSB Employee Portal). This is a leave under Article L10.16 and the supervisor for this purpose is Roxanne Jones at roxanne.jones@tvdsb.ca 

- TVDSB only requires daily OTs to teach 10 days per school year in order to remain on the elementary OT List. 

- The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan requires daily OTs to work more than 10 days i.e., 11 days for that year to count as a year of teaching for pension eligibility purposes. 

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Newly posted in-person Paid Professional Development sessions are now open for registration through TVDSB. The Local will be hosting "A Night of Arts" after-school workshops with dinner on Thursday, January 16, 2025, and a full day session with lunch on the following day which is a TVDSB PD day - 

Where: BMO Centre London, 295 Rectory St., London

When: Thursday Jan. 16th, 2025 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm

A buffet dinner will be served. Please advise the Local if you have any dietary restrictions. E-mail us at: mail@etfotvot.com

Sessions include - 

Exploring Elements of Design through Ceramic Painting.

Come out for a relaxing evening where participants will explore both elements and principles of design while painting ceramic objects. Learn about basic elements of designs such as line, shape, shade, space, colour while exploring techniques such as pointillism and, abstraction. Learn to create a foundation of design principles with a focus on proportion, balance, repetition, etc. Participants will have a choice of painting a mug, bowl, or plate!

Empowering Students through Drama!

Inclusive classrooms allow students creative expression of their unique interests while allowing for personal investment and accountability in meaningful, enriching activities. This workshop will focus on the use of dramatic techniques with a focus on effective collaboration with peers, critical thinking, and innovative problem-solving. Participants will learn to use dramatization to connect abstract ideas and make them relatable to students with a focus on understanding, while giving students the structure to share their voices.

Using Abstract Art Expression to Include All Learners: An Indigenous Perspective

Learn to use elements and techniques of expressive art to allow students to consider and express the profound statement “I AM!” This Indigenous led, hands-on workshop will allow participants to consider shape and form, space, colour, texture and much more using a variety of mediums and techniques as they create pieces of abstract art. Abstract art allows students of all levels and abilities to express their inner self in engaging, unique artistic creations. This workshop will have an emphasis on activities that promote mindfulness, individual expression, and a structured safe space for creative exploration and artistic risk-taking!

Then on the PD Day on January 17th, the Local will host a full day PD session with lunch at the BMO Centre:

When: Friday Jan.17th 9am to 3:30 pm

Where: BMO Centre

A buffet lunch will be served. Please advise the Local if you have any dietary restrictions. E-mail us at: mail@etfotvot.com

Addressing Challenging Behaviours in the Classroom

Feelings of anxiety and stress are a normal part of occasional teaching but how we manage these emotions is both critical to our success as well as our students. This workshop will help us realize that we have more control than we often realize. This workshop will help participants consider strategies to create expectations with the goals of mutual respect and a positive learning environment. We’ll explore the crucial importance of mindset, getting students on task, timely and consistent skill-based interventions as well as responding to disruptions appropriately with care as a guiding principle. Learn simple-yet-effective strategies to engage and motivate the most challenging of students.

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It was such a pleasure to spend time and enjoy a lovely festive dinner with our members at the TVOT Fall General Meeting last week.

The donations which our members so generously donated for Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre have been delivered.  Merrymount has asked that we pass along their gratitude - 

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TVOT Membership Pass - Dec. 20/24 - Jan. 12/25

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Friends and Family Pass - Dec. 26/24 - Jan. 5/25

Your TVOT Office will be closed from Friday, December 20/24 until school resumes on Monday, January 6/25.

In an emergency situation, TVOT members should contact ETFO Provincial at 1-888-838-3836.

Enjoy your Holiday Break!

Columbia Employee Store Invitation; Cancelled Daily Assignments; Benefits for LTOs with no end date; Responsibilities at end of a LTO; Pay over the Holidays;

Your Columbia Employee Store Invitation has arrived!

All ETFO Thames Valley Occasional Teachers and up to 4 of your guests, are invited to shop for brands such as Sorel, Columbia, Mountain Hardwear and prAna, at the Employee Store from December 20th to January 12th. (Offer is not valid for online purchases)

Bring your digital invitation and proof of employment to access the store. 

Donations of non-perishable food items for the Food Bank will be accepted. Items must have labels and must not be expired.

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• Any daily assignment can be cancelled in Thames Valley so long as there is 2 hours advance notice. This includes school closure due to inclement weather.
• If you are in a LTO assignment with an undetermined end, then you need to wait 90 calendar days in order to become eligible for benefits. For more information go to https://etfo-elhtbenefits.ca/faqs/
• Article L35.00(iii) states: When a long-term occasional teaching assignment is completed, it is the Occasional Teacher’s responsibility to leave assessment data at the end of their assignment (e.g., grades, anecdotal observations, notes, etc.). The Occasional Teacher may be assigned to assist with the completion of these report cards. In such an event, the Occasional Teacher shall be paid for the time to complete the report cards up to a maximum of one (1) day. The rate of pay shall be the rate the Occasional Teacher received during the long-term occasional teaching assignment.
• Neither permanent Teachers or Occasional Teachers/LTOs receive pay for statutory holidays (we are exempted under the Employment Standards Act) and so members are urged to take this into account when planning their budgets over the Winter Break.

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Edvantage Discounts for ETFO Members - 

To access the Edvantage program (www.edvantage.ca) for discounts with Goodlife Fitness, Bell, Marks, Soft Moc and many other retailers, members need their Provincial ETFO ID number. Request yours by emailing memberrecords@etfo.org or calling thee Provincial ETFO office at 1-888-838-3836.

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Provincial ETFO reminds us that the cost for the provincial government's decision to send out $200 pre-election cheques is around $3.2 billion - the same amount the government would need to invest in public education just to restore us to 2018 funding levels. We understand many individuals are struggling financially and can use the direct support, but we criticize the government's attempt to buy votes, rather than support public services.

If you share this opinion, consider emailing your MPP and a template for this is available at https://www.buildingbetterschools.ca/support-not-rebates

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To see how funding cuts have hurt your school, visit - https://www.buildingbetterschools.ca/

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Wondering where is your annual TVOT Pocket Calendar and Newsletter?

Our printer tells us that with a Canada Post strike looming, the mailhouse they use was swamped and so our order was delayed and is now part of the backload that Canada Post will deal with when contract talks are settled.

All we can do at this point is to apoligize for the delay - we really did try our best to avoid this situation.

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Important year-end financial planning deadlines and tips

As the year draws to a close, it’s a great time to review your financial situation and take advantage of year-end tax planning opportunities. With a little planning, you can maximize your savings, minimize your tax burden, and stay on track with your financial goals.

Here are a few key financial to-dos to consider:

• Saving for your first home or your child’s education? Contribute to your First Home Savings Account and/or your child’s Registered Education Savings Plan before December 31 to maximize tax benefits and government grants.
• Maximize any charitable donations. ‘Tis the season to give—so if you want to get a donation receipt (for this year) that you can claim on your tax return in the spring, be sure to give those charitable donations by December 31.
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For a comprehensive checklist of to-dos, check out this helpful resource: https://bit.ly/3Ors3Hf.

Don’t let your finances drift

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