Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Running for the ETFO Thames Valley Occasional Teachers' Executive

WE NEED YOU!!!
Being a member of Executive is a rewarding learning opportunity in which you can make a difference!

Duties under our Constitution include:

Chief Negotiator - negotiates the collective Agreement; maintains agreement
President - official spokesperson and representative of Local; liaison and ex-officio member of all committees; signing officer; (2 year term for this position so no election until 2014)
First Vice-President - assists the President, coordinates preparation of the newsletter, attends committees
Second Vice-President - assists the President and First Vice-President and acts as liaison to the P.D. Committee
Treasurer - maintains financial records, pays expenses of the Local and reports to Executive and membership
Secretary - prepares and circulates accurate minutes of Executive and general meetings
Health and Safety Officer - acts as liaison with the Board's Joint Health and Safety Committee, the Local Executive and general membership; conducts annual audits of schools
Executive Members at Large (3) - duties as determined by the Executive

Look for opportunities throughout the year to serve on committees such as Professional Development, Outreach, and New Teachers.

All active members are eligible and encouraged to run - you will be compensated for your time!

Local Elections for 2013- 2014
Elections will be held May 23, 2013 at the Lamplighter Inn for the following positions -

President (two year term so no election until 2014)
First Vice-President           Second Vice-President
Secretary                            Treasurer
Health and Safety Officer
Executive Members at Large (3 members)
Chief Negotiator
Collective Bargaining Committee
(4 members; 5 if Pres and Negotiator are same person)

NOMINATIONS ARE DUE BEFORE MAY 3, 2013
Forms:     www.etfotvots.com
Mail to:    Local Elections Officer
                 ETFO Thames Valley Occasional Teachers' Local
                 521 Nottinghill Rd., Suite 8
                 London, Ontario   N6K 4L4
Email to:  etfotvot@gmail.com
Or fax to: (519) 641-6838

Once nominations close, check www.etfotvots.com for slate of candidates.
Members may not run from the floor unless no nomination for that position has been received.

Annual General Meeting and Elections
Thursday, May 23, 2013 from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Best Western Lamplighter Inn
591 Wellington Road South
London, Ontario

Dinner Buffet:  5:00 p.m.

R.S.V.P. required for meal
tvotpd@gmail.com to register
Win one of our many door prizes.

REMINDER
To remain an elementary Occasional Teacher with TVDSB you must annually:
  • Work at least five full days as a TVDSB elementary Occasional Teacher
  • Pay your Ontario College of Teachers' fees by April 15th (fee deducted for those in LTO on January first)
  • Complete your Offence Declaration online
  • Complete all online training modules and WHMIS review
  • Submit your online Statement of Intent to Remain on the List by April 30
  • Inform the Board of any changes of name, address, and/or telephone number




Wednesday, April 17, 2013

2013 Spring General Banquet and Elections

May 23rd is the date of our Spring General Meeting and elections at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm.  A lovely dinner will be served at no cost to members and registration is now open at tvotpd@gmail.com or by telephone at 519-641-3936.  Confirmations will go out to those members registering, provided space is available.  We have had situations arise whereby members insist they have emailed registrations but have not received confirmations from us.  In these instances, we would ask that you re-send your request or call in to confirm receipt.
Nomination forms for election to the 2012 - 2013 Executive are available in the upcoming newsletter so consider this opportunity to serve the membership.

As with all our meetings these are well-attended, important membership events and it is in your best interests to inform yourselves about what is going on in these ever-changing times in education. It is also a chance to meet your peers and exchange information - occasional teaching can be very isolating.

TVDSB has opened registration for the June 7, 2013 paid PA day - all day conference at Althouse College, UWO.  ** Registration for this event is through the Employee Portal and space and these workshops are proving very popular so register soon.

EARTH DAY is April 22nd this year.  Earth Day was first established in 1970 and is recognized by countries around the world as well as by the United Nations.  There are wonderful resources available to you to educate and celebrate this day!

 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

LESS THAN 12 WEEKS BEFORE THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

One always thinks there will be lots of time to complete requirements for professional certification and deadlines but for most of us, procrastination sets in and albeit the best of intentions, we wind up scrambling last minute to get everything done.

Clutter, physical and emotional, is stressful.  One way to alleviate some is to break it down obligations in parts and set up a schedule where items can be completed.  Priorities must be made through organization.

Please review the items required to remain on the List as found on page 3 in your pocket calendars.  There is also additional relevant information you should be aware of.

We are ready for an exciting Professional Development Event taking place April 11th at the BMO Centre 295 Rectory St., in London from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM.  As requested by our membership, our PD Committee has arranged the following 3 workshops:

1)  More Than A Play
2)  Beyond Dodgeball: Phys Ed Survival for the OT
3)  Teach Nutrition:  Primary

Resource Materials and hands-on experience will provide participants with that much more to add to their Resumes.

Terry Card, your President will address the participants before the sessions begin.

Registration is open for our Spring General Meeting taking place on May 23rd at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn from 4:30 PM- 7:30 PM.  Please register for this event to tvotpd@gmail.com or call 519-641-3936.  Dinner is included.

Don't forget about the all day designated PA event at Althouse College on June 7th this year.  Registration for this event and for opportunities for Paid Pd on April 19 are both available on the Employee Portal.



    

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Reminders & ETFO Provincial CB release

Requirements -
It's that time of year- Income Tax Preparation is due by month-end and as Teachers, there are requirements you must meet to Remain on the List.  As with other professions that pay to renew their licences to practice, it is of the utmost importance that you ensure the following requirements are met:
  • Pay College of Teachers' fee by April 15th.  (if an LTO assignment on January first, fees were automatically deducted by payroll)
  • Complete online Statement of Intent to Remain on the List by April 30th > Employee Portal
  • Teach at least five (5) full days in an elementary site
  • Complete Annual Offence Declaration and WHMIS review on Employee Portal > Employee Portal
  • Complete mandatory online training (not posted until May 15, 2013)
  • Notify TVDSB of any changes to name, address and telephone number
Paid PD Days -  
Elementary Occasional Teachers are eligible for two days of paid PD during the 2012- 2013 school year, which must take place on system PA days

 * A 1/2 day of this paid PD is compulsory on the June 28, 2013 PA day, with mandatory online training in the employee portal (expectations of this 1/2 day will be communicated at a later date). These modules will not be available until May 15, 2013.

* 1 and 1/2 days of paid PD may include the following options:

  1. April 19, 2013 PA day - portal workshops, job-embedded or self-directed PD at a school location.** Registration for this event is through the employee portal opened March 1, 2013**
                                                      OR

     2. June 7, 2013 PA day - all day conference at Althouse College UWO
** Registration for this event is through the employee portal and is open.  Spots are filling quickly.

* For job-embedded or self-directed PD, you must fax 2 items to System Staff Development (519-452-2692) in order to be paid once the PD is completed. - request form completed with an Administrator's signature and a completed reflection form (go to Portal>Human Resources>System Staff Development for forms)
* If on LTO assignment or partial contract on which a PA day occurs, you are expected at your school for which you will be paid your FTE .

ETFO Provincial has called all Presidents to a meeting today - See ETFO news release at the end of this post for more information.

Thames Valley Occasional Teachers' Local Presents:

What:  An Evening of Professional Development
Where:  BMO Centre, 295 Rectory St., (just south of York St.) London, Ontario
When:  Thursday, April 11th, 2013 from 4:30 - 7:30 PM
Dinner included
Free parking on-site.

As requested by our Membership, we are pleased to offer the following PD sessions:

More Than a Play
Here is your chance to participate in this wildly popular and engaging workshop.  More Than a Play has been created by Ontario educators to support critical thinking about issues of social justice and equity.  Each play delves into the complexities of eliminating intolerance and prejudice in our world, and is guaranteed to generate meaningful and engaging classroom discussions.
Each participant will receive a complimentary copy of the book, "More Than a Play"!

Teach Nutrition: Primary
In this much-requested workshop, participants will learn how to encourage healthful eating habits and skills in your students.  Each participant will receive, and learn to use a dynamic, cross-curricular and pedagogically sound resource toolkit provided by the Dairy Farmers of Ontario!  This seminar will be led by a Registered Dietitian.

Beyond Dodgeball:  Phys. Ed. Survival for the Occasional Teacher
Come prepared to participate in this hands-on workshop.  Learn new ideas, games and skills to handle your physical education assignments with ease! This workshop will be held on an indoor soccer pitch.  (Please wear running shoes - no outdoor cleats please).

Spots are very limited and will fill quickly.  Registration is now open at tvotpd@gmail.com. 

Don't hesitate to contact our office at 519-641-3936 with any questions.

ETFO eNewsletter - Bargaining Edition
NUMBER 33 - APRIL 3, 2013
Update: Discussions Between ETFO and Government Achieve Concrete Results

Last Tuesday, ETFO suspended the advice regarding participation in voluntary/extracurricular activities by members based on confidence that ongoing dialogue with the government and representatives from school boards would achieve concrete results on issues of concern to members.

All discussions with government have been focused on finding solutions that can be achieved without new money and within the Ministry's funding envelope.  ETFO is pleased to report that, while the details have yet to be finalized, understandings have been reached regarding the following issues:

Maternity Leave

  *   Eligibility for teachers, LTOs and full-time non-teaching members.
  *   Improvement of benefit - 100% salary for 8 weeks, less EI benefits.
  *   Receipt of benefit over the calendar year - 12 month period (for LTOs, the length of the assignment)
  *   June 1, 2013 implementation and superior benefits protected.

Sick Leave

  *   There will be no adjudication as set out in Regulation. With respect to the determination of eligibility for sick leave, collective agreement provisions and practices in effect at August 31, 2012, continue.
  *   References to 66 2/3% in Regulation and in the sick leave plan will be removed.
  *   Use of sick days as per 2008 Collective Agreement and practice.
  *   Extended LTD waiting period beyond 120 days will be covered. (applicable for Permanent Teachers)

Gratuity

  *   Increase to compensation to non-vested members for unused sick days. (not applicable for OTs/LTOs)

Workload Study

  *   A study to review current and planned educational initiatives and student assessment at the provincial and school board level with a view to clearly focusing such initiatives and assessments on student achievement, teacher workload, and teacher professionalism.

Job Security

  *   Job security clause for non-teacher members.

Voluntary/Extra-Curricular Activities

  *   ETFO will notify members that any advice to withdraw participation in voluntary/extra-curricular activities is suspended (completed March 26) and any decision to participate in voluntary/extra-curricular activities is at the discretion of the member.

These understandings were discussed with ETFO local presidents at a meeting in Toronto earlier today.

Based on the success of our meetings to date, as well as the good faith demonstrated by the government throughout these discussions, we are confident that ongoing dialogue will result in a full agreement being reached.

It is important to emphasize that an all-member vote will be conducted upon conclusion of any agreement reached with the government.  ETFO is a democratic organization and, as such, it is ETFO members who will determine whether an agreement reached with the provincial government is acceptable.


Copyright 2013 - The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario
ETFO holds the copyright to all information in this publication, except where specifically noted.
All rights reserved.