November 4th, 2010- Mid-Autumn Professional Development

In response to the demands of the membership, the Local has cancelled the Lamplighter event on Thursday, November 4th to focus our resources on twelve SMART Board workshops we will host that same day at W. Sherwood Fox Public School, 660 Steeplechase Drive in London.  The sessions will run from 4:30 - 7:30 PM and a light dinner will be provided.
Please let us know by email at http://www.tvotpd.com/ if you are interested in registering for either a Basic, Intermediate or Advanced SMART Board workshop.
Registration closes at noon  - November 1, 2010.

October 25th Elections

We are due to vote in Monday's Municipal Election.  Based on the results of a survey of candidates conducted by our colleagues at the ETFO Thames Valley Teacher Local, we recommend the following Trustee Candidates for Board of Education:

County of Oxford (two Trustees to be elected)               
- Marlene Turkington
- Robin Barker-James                                                  
- Bill McKinnon                                                                 
- James Battin

County of Elgin (Two Trustees to be elected)            
- James Todd                                                               

County of Middlesex (Two Trustees to be elected)       
- Jennifer Coghlin                                                          

City of London

Wards 1, 11, 12, 14 (Two Trustees to be elected)
- Graham McIntyre

Wards 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (Two Trustees to be elected)
- Darlene Snyders

Wards 7, 8, 9, 10, 13 (Two Trustees to be elected)
- Teresa Bell

N.B.
 - Thirteen Trustee Candidates responded to the ETFO Thames Valley Teacher Local Questionnaire.
 - Four incumbent Trustees (Peggy Sattler, Peter Jaffe, Terry Roberts, and Joyce Bennett) indicated that they both supported and voted for the TVDSB Attendance "Support" Program.  Only Peter Jaffe indicated support for wage parity between elementary and secondary teachers.
- Ten non-incumbent Trustee Candidates indicated some degree of opposition to the TVDSB Attendance "Support" Program and support for wage parity between elementary and secondary teachers.

Financial Tools for Women Conference - December 3-4, 2010, Toronto

Provincial ETFO is presenting a Conference specifically designed for women to provide participants with an opportunity to increase their financial literacy and learn about proactive strategies to reflect on and address their financial fitness.  Conference Workshop Topics include:  Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, Estate Planning, Tax time tips, Budgeting, and much more.
Registration Fee for ETFO Members is $50.00, non-ETFO Members is $150.00.
The registration deadline is November 1, 2010.  For members, the ETFO provincial office will cover the cost of travel, conference materials, accommodation (double occupancy), meals, and dependent care based upon provincial guidelines. 
Keynote Speaker: Evelyn Jacks, Founder and President, Knowledge Bureau.
This conference takes place on Dec. 3-4, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Toronto on King St.
The conference application form will be available on the ETFO website, http://www.etfo.ca/ by October 1, 2010.
For further information about this program, please contact ETFO Executive Assistant:  Jennifer Mitchell, jmitchell@etfo.org Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario Federation des enseignantes et des enseignants de l'elementaire de l'Ontario, 480 University Avenue, Suite 1000, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1V2.  Telephone : 416-962-3836, Toll free:  1-888-838-3836.  Website: http://www.etfo.ca/    

Mandatory Responsibilities under Bill 157 - Keeping Our Kids Safe at School Act

You may not be aware but Bill 157 requires that all school staff who become aware of inappropriate student activity must notify the Principal "as soon as reasonably possible".  Staff must complete a copy of a new form, called the Safe Schools Incident Reporting Form whenever a report is made to the Principal regarding student misconduct which can lead to suspension or expulsion.  Members could potentially face discipline for failure to comply with these new obligations and the Principal is required to provide an acknowledgement of receipt of a report filed.  FOR YOUR OWN PROTECTION, ETFO IS ADVISING MEMBERS THAT THIS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF A REPORT IS A CRUCIAL DOCUMENT, AND SHOULD BE KEPT BY THE MEMBER.
Principals may suspend students if they believe the pupil has engaged in any of the following activities while at school, at a school-related activity or in other circumstances where engaging in the activity will affect the school climate:
1. uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person;
2. possessing alcohol or illegal drugs;
3. being under the influence of alcohol;
4. swearing at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority;
5. committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the pupil's school or to  property located on the premises of the pupil's school;
6. bullying;
7. any other activity that is an activity for which a principal may suspend a pupil under a policy of the board.
For further information contact your Local (519-641-3936) or ETFO Professional Relations (416-962-3836 or 1-888-838-3836).