Reminder When Doing Your Long Range Planning

Your Union has negotiated two paid PD days. 
Day 1 is mandatory.  There are several options for Day 2.
Day 1 (Mandatory): Throughout the year, the Board will post training modules on the Employee Portal. The Board will pay members following completion of all mandatory on-line training modules.  The training modules will be available throughout the school year, with compensation being paid on completion of all modules by year's end. 
Day 2 (Optional):  April 8, 2011 - Althouse College opportunity:  This joint effort between the Board and your Union will be a full day event with a keynote speaker, a message from the Board and a variety of workshops from which to choose.  Check the newsletter and First Class for additional options.
The combination of the online training and April 8, will count as 2 days of Occasional Teaching. 

Edvantage Discount Opportunities

Your provincial ETFO membership card is your Edvantage discount card. The Edvantage programme / http://www.edvantage.ca/ provides rewards and discounts to education workers and their families through partnerships with Ontario retailers and businesses such as GoodLife Fitness (40% -50% off), Enterprise Rent-A-Car (9% off), Canadianflowershop FTD (15% off), Hakim Optical (30% off), Scholar’s Education Centre (10% -25% off), Softmoc (10% off), Colour Your World ICI Paints, Apple Canada and more.   To update your member information and to request new ETFO cards go to www.etfo.ca > Quick Links or call ETFO at 1-888-838-3836 for your ETFO card.    

Pocket Calendar Update

Your  ETFO TVOT pocket calendar is at the printers and will be mailed out to members by month's end.  This should ensure that we have accurate names and addresses of our membership so as not to miss anyone.  To buffer the inconvenience of a later delivery, we will now include the upcoming September in each edition to carry members over until the next calendar is available. Your Fall newsletter will arrive with that same mailing so be certain to check it out as well for information important to all elementary Occasional Teachers.

Footwear Policy is coming

Though the new Footwear Policy policy is still in draft and not yet open for public input, the Board is immediately enacting the provisions in response to Ministry of Labour orders.  
So, effective immediately all employees must:

• Wear the appropriate footwear for the location and activity at all times.
• Wear shoes that are in good condition and provide a secure fit.

• Be aware of surroundings and conditions which may dictate the use of appropriate footwear and equipment.

• Report unsafe and unexpected surface/work conditions which may require isolation, repair or implementation of the steps listed within this document.


Due to the nature of a school environment, the increased presence of hazards within schools and the requirement to work outdoors, no open toed shoes should be worn. Soles should be non-skid and provide a snug fit.That is to say, footwear should be designed for the task being performed and must:

• provide adequate protection against injury to toes

• have soles that are soft rubber and non-skid

• fit snugly and fully enclose the foot

• be flat or maximum two and one-half inch (2.5") heel

The following are considered as inappropriate footwear:

• flip flops, beach shoes or slippers

• shoes with spiked heels

• platform shoes, soles greater than 1 inch

• molded/plastic “gummy” shoes or “Crocs”

• bare feet or socks

• “wheelies”, roller blades, roller skates, or similar type of footwear

Gym shoes worn must have soft rubber soles/non-skid soles and have a flat heel. Technical shops, the lab or chemical store rooms will require complete foot protection.


Employees working outside (recess/bus duty) during the winter are at a greater risk of falling. Footwear with soles resistant to slippery surfaces must be worn. Winter footwear should have flat soles with a raised pattern that grip the walking surface.