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 

Two Important Meetings and Registration; Province Red 4 Ed Day of Action; Police Record Checks; Checklist for Student Safety Plans;

 

Two Important Meetings -  

Register now at mail@etfotvot.com or 519-641-3936

1) ETFO Provincial's All-Member Meeting on May 19, 2026 

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2) Your TVOT Local Spring Annual Meeting on May 21, 2026

It's the Province Wide Day of Action - 

Wear your Red 4 Ed t-shirt on Wednesday, April 29th

To support central bargaining, ETFO Provincial is organizing a province-wide Day of Action. This event is a joint effort with the four other education unions in Ontario: AEFO, OECTA, vOSBCU-CUPE, and OSSTF.

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, April 29, and get ready to take action!

By coming together, as educators and education workers across Ontario, we are signalling that we are united and serious about protecting the future of public education in the 2026 central bargaining.

Here is how you can support the plan in three simple steps:

1. Wear Red for Ed: On April 29, please wear red clothing. To learn why education unions wear red, read the Red for Ed background. (Log in to members.etfo.ca and visit

https://members.etfo.ca/etfo/stewards/stewards-resources/tools)

NOTE: Elementary and secondary educators will wear red, and CUPE education workers will wear purple.

2. Button Up! Show your support for our bargaining campaign by wearing the ETFO smaller classes BIG DIFFERENCE button or sticker. Your steward has one for every member. Ask your steward about the plan and the group photo for the Day of Action.

NOTE: For the biggest impact, please wait until the Day of Action to display your button or sticker. After April 29, keep wearing it when you are out in the community. Buttons are great conversation starters!

3. Help spread the word widely and amplify the action. If you are at a school on the Day of Action, join the group photo. Photos can include ETFO members and/or members from CUPE, OECTA, and OSSTF. Share this action with your network by posting on social media with the photo or your own message. Be sure to include the hashtags #OntEdUnited and #BigDifference.

To help you share on social media, ETFO Provincial has made four images with messages. These images, sized for Facebook/Instagram and X, are available on member.etfo.ca. Once logged in, go to https://members.etfo.ca/etfo/stewards/stewards-resources/social-media and look for “Day of Action Poster.”

 

With your support and participation, this Day of Action will send a strong, visible

message to the government that we are mobilizing for central bargaining!

There is still time to get your t-shirt. Call the TVOT Office at 519-641-3936 or email us at mail@etfotvot.com

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Provincial ETFO is asking members to participate in a province-wide campaign calling for greater investment in our public schools. Since 2018, the Ford government has cut $6.35 billion from public education, resulting in a dramatic reduction of student supports, increased violence, larger class sizes and heavier workloads. Postcards will be available next week from ETFO Stewards and ETFO Local Offices.

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Provincial ETFO invites parents and the community to help support Ontario students by distributing this postcard which asks for a personal commitment.  Leave a personal message explaining why an increase in funding for public education is vital. Together we can make a difference! Postcards will be available next week from ETFO Stewards and ETFO Local Offices.

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About Student Safety Plans - 

 

Navigating life’s unexpected changes: is your financial safety net ready?

Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. Whether it’s the uncertainty of a new bargaining cycle, an unexpected medical leave, or the personal impact of a divorce or job loss, these moments are stressful enough on their own. They shouldn’t have to break the bank, too.

The best time to build a safety net is before you need it. Here are 2 ways to start today:

· Register for our next “Ready for Anything” webinar on April 28^th from 4:30 pm – 5:45 pm. Learn actionable tips to help you prepare financially and personally for events like strike action, disability, or other major life changes: https://bit.ly/4bXOJug

·  Book a complimentary consultation with an Educators financial advisor to get personalized advice and a plan tailored to your goals: https://bit.ly/4c35aGH

 

P.S. Want a chance to win one of ten $50 gift cards? Take a couple minutes to complete our Spring Survey: https://bit.ly/4bUYc5c. Your input will help us tailor our products and services to better support you in reaching your financial goals.

 

Brought to you by Educators Financial Group. Bringing peace of mind to members of the education community and their families for over 50 years. Book your complimentary consultation today: https://bit.ly/4c35aGH.