Thursday Evening! Deadline for Resource Rebate; Missed Prep Period Form; Ontario Health Coalition Rally; Opportunities from ETFO Provincial

 

Thursday Evening - We are really looking forward to seeing all those who have registered to attend our Spring Annual Meeting and Elections tomorrow at London's Lamplighter Inn at 4:30 PM. The event has always been a wonderful opportunity to catch up on news from the Local and to spend time with peers over a lovely dinner. Also, this year members will select a new TVOT Executive - It promises to be a very interesting evening. See you there!

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Counting today, there are just 12 days for TVOT members to submit a claim for their $75 dollar Resource Rebate! The deadline is May 31st.  Members may use this claim to submit receipts for professional book(s) or resources related to their elementary professional needs. Forms are available to members who register on our Local website www.etfotvot.com and can be submitted electronically. (One claim/school year)

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Miss Your Prep Period? Occasional Teachers in daily and long-term assignments "...who are not able to receive their preparation payback period in the course of their assignment will be entitled to money in lieu." (Letter of Understanding #5)

The deadline to submit a claim for this current school year is July 2/26 at 4 PM. Here is the link that was also sent via TVDSB's Outlook - https://forms.office.com/r/AG8wNG36YJ

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The Ontario Health Coalition has organized a rally to protest the privatization of healthcare in our province. You are invited to join the rally in Toronto at noon on Thursday, May 28th for a march from Union Station to Queens Park. There is no cost for the train travel but seats  assigned on a first come basis. 
Today is the deadline to register and reserve your train ticket -https://forms.gle/G5CuTp2qM3mT7itZ7

ETFO 2026 SISTERS IN THE STRUGGLE WOMEN’S PROGRAM

July 12-17, 2026

Hamilton Convention Centre, Hamilton, Ontario

Open to members who self-identify as women

ETFO is pleased to partner with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) to offer Sisters in the Struggle, an intensive, advanced women’s leadership program for experienced members who are committed to continuing their leadership journey.

Registration opens at 9 a.m. on May 8, 2026, and closes at 5 p.m. on May 22, 2026.

Visit events.etfo.org to register and complete the application form.

A $75 registration fee applies.

For more information, please contact Kelly Hayes at khayes@etfo.org.

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2026 First Steps Program - ETFO is seeking 10 observers to attend the August 17-20 ETFO Annual Meeting in Toronto. Those selected will learn about Robert's Rules of Order and the democratic process of the Federation. Expenses for travel, dependent care, meals and shared accommodations will be paid per ETFO guidelines. The deadline to apply is May 27/26 at 4 PM at events.etfo.org . Contact Matthew Sinclair at msinclair@etfo.org for further details.

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May 21st is Ontario Flag Day

Who will be your new President; Deadline for $75 Resource Rebate! Police Record Check Schedule; New Order of Red 4 Ed T-shirts; Schools Underfunded; About Concussions; ETFO Summer Academy

 

1) A new TVOT President! 

To have a say in who will be the new TVOT President and to vote in the Local Executive elections, register to attend the TVOT Spring Annual Meeting in the Crystal Ballroom of the Lamplighter Inn on 591 Wellington Road in London.

The date is Thursday, May 21/26 from 4:30 - 7:30 PM and registrants who attend receive:

- $15 gas money

- a chance to win one of 3 gift cards of $100

- a lovely free buffet dinner including slow-roasted beef top sirloin; fire-roasted Atlantic salmon; Italian spinach and three-cheese cannelloni; assorted salads and desserts

- another chance to pick up your Red 4 Ed T-shirt (you may want to order it in advance)

Come meet your peers. Register at: mail@etfotvot.com or 519-641-3936

To view candidate profiles go to www.etfotvot.com

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2) Just 18 days remain for TVOT members to submit a claim for their $75 dollar Resource Rebate, The deadline is May 31st.  Members may use this claim to submit receipts for professional book(s) or resources related to their elementary professional needs. (One claim/school year)

Forms are available to members who register on our Local website www.etfotvot.com and can be submitted electronically. 

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The New Police Record Checks

As you may be aware, the new Ontario Regulation 521/01 has made it mandatory for those who work in educational institutions to submit a Vulnerable Sector Check on a 5 year cycle, dependent on the employee's birth month. On 4 out of 5 years, the member will just complete an Offence Declaration by September.

TVDSB urges employees to wait for official notification from the Board before taking any steps, but for your information, here is the table of how this new system will roll out:

1) If your previous Police Record Check was submitted on or before September 1, 2021-
Birth Month	When new police record check will be due
January to March	Last day of birth month in 2027
April to June	Last day of birth month in 2026
July and August	June 30, 2026
September to December	Last day of birth month in 2026
2) If your previous Police Record Check was submitted after September 1, 2021 and for subsequent years
Birth Month	When new police record check will be due
January to June	Last day of birth month in the year that is 5 years from the most recent police check
July and August	June 30 in the year that is 5 years from the most recent police check
September to December	Last day of birth month in the year that is 5 years from the most recent police check

The Red 4 Ed Campaign Continues so wear yours proudly on Mondays at school, this year and into the next one. If you still need one, your TVOT Local is prepared to set a date and location to deliver free T-shirts to members in Woodstock, St. Thomas and/or Strathroy. To order yours, contact the OT Office: mail@etfotvot.com or 519-641-3936 and let us know your size (S - 4X).  

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Auditor General Confirms Government Underfunding our Schools - 

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Lifelong protection made easy. (please tag @OTIP on Facebook, @OTIP_Insurance on X, or @otip_insurance on Instagram here) (RTIP) offers flexible health, dental and travel plans with coverage that evolves with you. Learn more about the three RTIP plans: https://bit.ly/4vX9rnb

TVOT Spring Meeting; Paid PD Opportunity - Libraries; $75 Resource Rebate Deadline; Candidates for TVOT Local Executive; ETFO All-Member Meeting; Education Week; ETFO Resources for Multilingual Language Learners

 

Come meet your peers and enjoy a lovely free dinner at the TVOT Spring Annual Meeting.

- Thursday, May 21/26 from 4:30 - 7:30 PM

- Lamplighter Inn,  591 Wellington Road in London

- $15 gas money to registrants who attend

- Free buffet dinner including slow-roasted beef top sirloin; fire-roasted Atlantic salmon; Italian spinach and three-cheese cannelloni; assorted salads and desserts

- Order your Red 4 Ed T-shirt when you register and we can deliver it to you at the meeting

- Registration for the TVOT Spring Annual Meeting: mail@etfotvot.com or 519-641-3936

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Paid PD Opportunity on May 14/26 - Library: More than Shelving Books

This workshop will introduce some of the technology components you might encounter when you accept a daily library assignment. Learn about Insignia, Open Board/View Board and Green Screen. Find out how to provide assistance in the library/learning commons with basic software such as Google Slides and Canva.

A light pizza dinner will be served so please email any dietary restrictions to mail@etfotvot.com.

Where: John Wise P.S., 100 Parkside Dr. in St. Thomas

When: Thurs., May 14/26 from 4:30 - 7:30 PM

Registration: TVDSB Employee Portal > Conference/Session Registrations> Elementary/Dual Occasional Teacher PD

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The deadline for TVOT members to submit a claim for their $75 dollar Resource Rebate is firmly, May 31st.  Members may use this claim to submit receipts for professional book(s) or resources related to their elementary professional needs. (One claim/school year)

Forms are available to members who register on our Local website www.etfotvot.com and can be submitted electronically. 

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The candidates for the upcoming TVOT Local elections to be held on Thursday, May 21/26 at the TVOT Spring Annual Meeting are listed alphabetically by last name:

President (2 yr. term): 

- Vivek Nath

- Kevin Utley

First Vice President (2 yr. term): 

- Krisanne Nunes

Second Vice President (2 yr. term): 

- Ruth Ann Morley

Secretary (2 yr. term): 

- Rupinder Kaur

- Sharon Pinylo

Treasurer (2 yr. term): 

- Farida Makhani

Health & Safety Officer (2 yr. term): 

- David Griffith

Executive Member at Large: (1 yr. term): 

- Allison Joseph

- Keri Kok

- Melissa Major

- Meera Merchea

Delegate/Alternate Pool for ETFO Annual Meeting: 

- Allison Joseph

- Keri Kok

- Farida Makhani

- Meera Merchea

- Ruth Ann Morley

- Krisanne Nunes

- Kevin Utley

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The following candidates submitted their profiles by the deadline set out in the TVOT Local Election Campaign Procedures.  In alphabetical order by last name:

For President

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For First Vice President

For Second Vice President

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For Executive at Large

ETFO Provincial's All-Member Meeting on May 19, 2026 - Register at mail@etfotvot.com

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Hurry! Only a few days left to complete our short Spring Survey for a chance to WIN one of ten $50 gift cards*. Survey closes May 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM: https://bit.ly/3OWgHip. Brought to you by (please tag @Educators Financial Group on Facebook or @EducatorsFG on X/Instagram). #EFGtips

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May 10 is Bear Witness Day (Jordan's Principle) 

https://youtu.be/RatzhHmFd-M?si=Lgkejs88PGhPzhyg

About Smaller Class Sizes; Two Important Meetings; More Red 4 Ed Shirts - All Sizes; Deadline to Submit Nominations; $75 Resource Rebate

 

It's All About  -

The impact has been extensively studied:

- A 2021 Canadian review of international research concluded: "In general, research suggests that students in classes in the early grades benefit greatly from enrollment in classes with fewer than 20 students... Teachers in smaller classes report greater engagement with learning activities and better relations with students and parents, as well as spending less time on administrative and disciplinary processes."

- A 2018 California study (the largest in U.S. history since the late 1990's) found that smaller class sizes in public schools reduced private school attendance... which in turn, benefited the quality and funding of public education.

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Two important upcoming meetings for TVOT members. Register now at 519-641-3936 or mail@etfotvot.com. 

 TVOT Spring Annual Meeting and Elections Banquet 

Lamplighter Inn on May 21/26 

$15 gas money and free buffet dinner to registrants who attend!

Win one of three $100 gift cards!

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ETFO Provincial All-Member Meeting

 Hellenic Centre on May 19/26

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Thursday, April 30/26 at is the last day to submit a candidate form for the upcoming 2026 TVOT Local Executive.  Candidate Forms are posted on the Local website: www.etfotvot.com

The deadline for receipt of Candidate Forms is 5 PM April 30, 2026.

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$75 Resource Rebate Deadline - TVOT members have until May 31st to submit their $75 Resource Rebate claims.  Resource Rebate forms are available to all members who have registered on our Local website www.etfotvot.com.

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More Free Red for Ed T-Shirts

The response has been terrific from both the Teacher and Occasional Teachers' Locals. If you want to wear a "Red for Education" on Mondays alongside the permanent Teachers of Thames Valley, please let us know because we have just received our second shipment and all sizes are currently available. 

The T-shirts are 100% cotton and unisex. 

If you are interested in receiving a shirt, please contact us at mail@etfotvot.com and indicate your preference as sizes range from S - 4XL.

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ETFO Resources to support Asian Heritage Month - https://www.etfo.ca/socialjusticeunion/anti-asian-racism/may-asian-and-south-asian-heritage-month

ETFO Resources to Support Jewish Heritage Month - https://www.etfo.ca/news-publications/publications/jewish-heritage-month-poster and https://www.etfo.ca/calendar/jewish-heritage-month