ETFO Member Validation Sticker, Health & Wellness PD Event; Happy Holidays

Once again, the 2018 ETFO member validation sticker will be mailed to members' homes in the winter edition of VOICE magazine.
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We are very happy to announce our next PD Event which will focus on Health and Wellness taking place on January 25th, 2018 from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM, at the BMO Centre, 295 Rectory Street in London.  Full dinner is included for TVOT members.

Workshops being offered are:

I.  Brain Breaks in the Mindful Classroom

II. Simple Can Be Fun! Daily Physical Activity and Physical Education Strategies for the Occasional Teacher

III. Physical Education for All:  Engagement and Skill Development for all your Students

Please go to www.etfotvot.com to register.
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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our members.
The TVOT Office will be closed during the Christmas Break and re-open when classes resume in January.
Should you have an emergency which requires Provincial ETFO assistance, please call 1-888-838-3836.
Enjoy your Winter edition of our Newsletter and we look forward to serving you in the New Year.

Collapsed Classes/Coverage Assignments; January PD Day; Returning from a Mat Leave; Inclement Weather

Collapsed Classes / Coverage Assignments
In times of inclement weather, classes are often collapsed. Per Articles L18.02 & Article L18.03, the Occasional Teacher (OT), is to follow the exact time-table of the teacher they were hired to replace. Where an OT is hired for coverage purposes, that OT shall cover no more than 1 (one) Supervisory Duty.
Please don't hesitate to contact our office with any questions (519)641-3936.
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January 19, 2018 is a PD Day

Did you know that if you are a daily OT or in a long-term assignment of less than .5, you can be paid on Board professional development days as if you were working that day? This year, daily OTs have access to 6 half-days of paid PD (a half time LTO can access 3 half-days). One half-day must be reserved for mandatory training which will be posted in April, but registration is now open on the Employee Portal for Friday, January 19th.  There should be something for everyone in the selection, so we encourage you to have a look and register soon as spots go quickly.
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Returning from a Maternity Leave?
Since seniority in TVDSB is calculated by accumulated number of days worked, be sure to contact Corissa Parker in Human Resources on your return from maternity leave to have your seniority  adjusted to reflect the average number of days you have worked since being hired.  That way you will not be disadvantaged by taking this statutory leave.
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Inclement Weather and OTs/LTOs
The Board no longer routinely closes school when buses are cancelled. Regardless of whether you are in a daily or long-term assignment, the Collective Agreement in Article L10.08 provides that if you are delayed by local weather conditions but arrive at school as soon as possible during the regular working hours, you will not have any deduction of salary. "Local" is defined as the geographic area between your home and work site.  You are encouraged to notify the school to let them know you will be delayed.
Should a LTO not be able to attend school at all due to weather conditions, that LTO can enter an absence using one of their "Act of Nature" days as provided by Article L.9.04. This time will be deducted from the 5 care days (pro-rated for part-time and part-year assignments).
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Merrymount donations from Fall General Meeting; Award to Sandi Douglas; Renewed Math Strategy (RMS) Survey

Donations from TVOT members to Merrymount Children's Centre

On behalf of Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre, we thank those who so generously donated two teeming  tables of items to assist this unique facility serving more than 8000 families and children each year. 

We know they very much appreciate these items from our Fall General Meeting participants.

It was a pleasure to meet so many members this evening, many who came after working all day.

We very much appreciate your support!

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Outstanding Service to the Local Award to Sandi Douglas

Though it may seem peculiar for the Union to give an award to someone who has spent their career working for the Employer, your Executive was honoured to recognize former TVDSB Staffing Officer, Sandi Douglas for her years of fielding calls and later emails from tens of thousands of our members, generally with patience, professionalism and consideration.  Sandi enhanced the working lives of our members and helped us in the Local to meet the needs of our membership.  Congratulations Sandi!








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The Ministry of Education is currently reviewing the Renewed Math Strategy (RMS). ETFO is a part of the RMS workgroup which is assisting with the review. The workgroup feels it is critical to gather data from frontline educators to tap into their experience of the implementation the RMS since September 2016. This will assist the Ministry in making modifications to the strategy in years two and three. While the survey will be anonymous, respondents will include demographic information so that the survey findings can be generalized to different educator groups (e.g., elementary, secondary, lead teacher, administrator, level of math support at the school, etc.).  ETFO and the affiliates have provided feedback on the survey questions. Please go to the following link to take the survey:  Renewed Math Strategy Survey

- The survey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
- Participation is voluntary.
- Individual respondents will remain anonymous. Information will be aggregated and summarized for sharing.
- If you receive multiple invitations to complete the survey, please do so only once.
- The survey will remain open for the month of December.

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What to bring for Merrymount Dec. 6th; OCT Fee Increase; And Still we Rise

Join us for our ever-popular Fall General Meeting and Banquet on December 6th, 2017 at the Four Points by Sheraton London, 1150 Wellington Rd in London. This festive dinner event is free to ETFO-TVOT members and all those in attendance will receive a hard-copy of our newest Collective Agreement. Registration is available at www.etfotvot.com
This is also members' opportunity to donate goods to Merrymount Children's Center - a family support and crisis centre which has children up to 13 years of age from across the Valley staying in their Crisis Residential/Respite Program.
Merrymount tells us that these children are in need of:

• New children's clothing, all sizes
• Pyjamas
• Socks and Underwear, all sizes
• Shoes
• Pants, shirts and sweatshirts
• New books
• Gift cards
• Movie passes
• New toys for birthdays, holidays
• Non perishable food items
• Art and craft supplies
• Children's toothbrushes and toothpaste

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The Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) is considering another fee increase of between 11-19%.  ETFOTVOT wants members to be aware that one of the driving forces for this increase is the cost of OCT's real estate on Toronto's Bloor Street - one of that city's most expensive neighbourhoods.
The Ontario Teachers' Federation (OTF) asks all Teachers/Occasional Teachers to take a few seconds to click on the link and voice their opinion:
https://otffeo.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=990c4057179a7ed504464e546&id=1b5881604d&e=480089e244
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And Still We Rise: Did you know that ETFO Occasional Teachers are eligible to register for all ETFO Provincial conferences and workshops, including the annual women's leadership conference "And Still We Rise"? 
Registration for this particular event closes December 4th and preference is given to those who have not previously attended. The conference runs from the evening of Feb. 21 - 23, 2018 with ETFO covering travel, shared accommodations and payment as time worked (release time) for those who attend.  For more details visit www.etfo.ca.

Fall General Meeting : December 6th, 2017

We are looking forward to hosting you on Wednesday, December 6th, 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the Four Points Sheraton at our Fall General Meeting and Banquet.  This Event is always very well attended and along with enjoying a wonderful Festive Dinner and Door Prizes, you will be able to socialize with your peers and hear the most recent news from your President, Terry Card and your Executive.

Registration is open at www.etfotvot.com 

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TWO Grievances, Blocking time off in TVARRIS, Payment of Paid PD, Assignment Continuity, PD Event and Fall General Meeting

Two Grievances
Your Local has received numerous reports of schools altering the timetables of daily Occasional Teachers to assign duties or classes during prep periods etc. and of schools reassigning Occasional Teachers to assignments other than that which they accepted.  In response, your Local submitted two policy grievances over these violations of our Collective Agreement and we have been successful. Principals are to be notified of these provisions so please notify the Local immediately should you become aware of more infractions. 
As a reminder, these are the pertinent Articles:
L16.06 Job Integrity - An Occasional Teacher who accepts and reports for an assignment shall be placed in that assignment unless by mutual consent.
L18.02 Timetable - The timetable for an Occasional Teacher shall be the same as the timetable as the Teacher they are replacing...
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Payment for Paid PD Participation
Though the last pay was for time worked up to October 28th, October 27th was a Friday and since paid PD events have to be input manually into the system after receipt of the reflection forms, there is no way participation could be recognized in time for the November 10th pay period so those who attended should look for it on the next pay.
Hope this provides some clarification of the process.
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Not Available to Teach?
In order for the callout system to be most effective, it is important for Occasional Teachers to make themselves inactive for even single days when they are not available to teach. There is no penalty for being unavailable but remember that the Board requires elementary OTs to teach 10 full days to remain on the OT Roster. (N.B. two-half days equal a full day), As well, for a year to count for Teachers' Pension purposes, one must teach more than 10 days per school year.
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Continuity of an Assignment:
Just a reminder to members of the provisions of Article L5.07 (c) which states:
(c) A Short-Term or Long-Term Occasional Teacher hired to replace an absent Teacher, properly subject qualified for such position, will not be replaced by another Occasional Teacher other than by mutual agreement of the Occasional Teacher and the Board.
This means an OT who is replacing an absent Teacher should be asked back the following day(s) should that Teacher remain absent (so long as they had the qualifications). Of course, if the school recognizes that the absence will become a LTO, the position must be posted per Regulation 274. The OT would stay until the conclusion of that process and if interested and qualified, could apply.     N.B: Many LTO positions cannot be filled from the LTO List and so are being filled from applicants from the OT Roster, so we encourage members to apply even when you are not on the LTO List.
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PD at the Lamplighter - November 16, 2017
There are still spots available for tomorrow afternoon's PD event at the Best Western Lamplighter, 591 Wellington Rd. south from 4:30 pm - 7:30 PM.  Choose one of the following topics that will be presented:
1) No Daybook, No Problem : Writing Strategies & Activities
2) No Daybook, No Problem : Reading Strategies & Activities
3) Breaking Down the Barriers: Using Literacy
4) Your First LTO : Service to Thrive!
Please register at www.etfotvot.com
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You are Invited to our Fall General Meeting and Banquet taking place on Wednesday, December 6th, 2017 from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM, at the Four Points by Sheraton London, 1150 Wellington Rd. in  London,
This event is a wonderful opportunity to come out and meet your peers and talk with your Local Executive. I it also our chance to collect new items for Merrymount Children's Centre for those who wish to make a donation of an item from the centre's wish list.
A wonderful evening has been planned along with a delicious meal that is free to all ETFO-TVOT members!
Register at www.etfotvot.com

TVDSB's Inclement Weather Policy, Earn a Day's Pay on November 17th and Gain Skills for the LTO Interviews, Columbia Sportswear Invitation to ETFO-TVOT Members!

TVDSB's Inclement Weather Policy

- Schools remain open in inclement weather even when buses have been cancelled

- Occasional Teachers, whether daily or long-term, should always exercise good judgement to ensure that they can arrive at work safely

- Article L10.08 states that a daily OT or a LTO who is delayed by the weather between their home and their work site but who arrives at school as soon as possible during the school day, he/she will be paid for that day of work.

- On snow days, LTOs may access the "Act of Nature Days" provided under Article L9.04 (b). This means that if the weather between the LTOs home and their work site, prevents them from getting to work safely, they have access to up to 3 days per year.  Note: there is a total of 5 days for act of nature and care days so the act of nature claim would be deducted from this total.

- If a daily OT arrives to find collapsed classes, please ensure: 1) you are not being asked to supervise an unreasonable/unsafe number of students and 2) that the timetable of the Teacher you are replacing is being honoured i.e., that you still receive the prep periods of that Teacher and that you take on no additional supervisory duties.
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Earn a Day's Pay on November 17th and Gain Skills for the LTO Interviews

Daily OTs have opportunity to earn a day of pay plus seniority credit, EI credit, and pension credit and gain skills necessary to succeed in the February LTO List interviews when they participate in any of these paid PD opportunities.

Learn how to accommodate the rising number of students in the Thames Valley whose first language is not English. OTs may wish to register for the half day session with Tara Brown/"You Can't READ a Book and RUN from a Lion at the Same Time: Priming the Brain" detailing the concept of "reframing our responses" then spend the other half day visiting a classroom where "Reframing our Responses" is put into practice. Spaces are still available in these sessions.

Remember:

- Three days (six half days) have been negotiated for this year but a half day must be reserved for mandatory training which is posted each spring

- Participation in these days counts towards the 10 full days needed to remain on the elementary OT Roster

-LTOs are eligible to attend if their assignment is less than .5 FTE

Registration is via the Employee Portal under "Conference/Session Registrations" Elementary Occasional Teacher PD (2017 - 2018)
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Our Invitation to Shop at the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store!

We are invited to shop at the Columbia  Employee Store.  You will need to download and print-off the invitation which is found on our website, www.etfotvot.com in the "Member Services menu".
Please read the instructions on how to participate found on the invitation!

PD PD PD! Moving to Microsoft Office 365

EARN WHILE YOU LEARN
The Board still has spots available for Occasional Teachers and those in less than a .5 LTO who wish to earn a day's pay while participating in the following TVDSB workshops on November 17th, a PD Day when members cannot normally work.

NB:  This year and next, OTs are eligible for 6 half days of paid professional development (a half day must be reserved for mandatory training both years):

• 21st Century Learning (Coding)
• Building Models of Addition and Subtraction
• Models of Multiplication and Division
• DRIVE - Student Centered Inquiry
• Reframing Our Responses - supporting students with challenging behaviours
• Support for OTs in French Immersion
• Supporting English Language Learners
• The Blanket Exercise
• You Can't Read a Book - looking at how student stress impacts their behaviour etc

Registration is on the Employee Portal under Elementary Occasional Teacher PD (2017 - 2018).

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Registration is open for our next ETFO-TVOT Local PD Event on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, from 4:30 - 7:30 PM.

Choose one of 4 workshops being offered that afternoon (dinner is included):

1) No Daybook, No Problem:  Writing Strategies & Activities
2) No Daybook, No Problem:  Reading Strategies & Activities
3) Breaking Down the Barriers:  Using Literacy to break-down the barriers
4) Your First LTO:  Survive to Thrive  (registration to open Nov 2/17)

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Microsoft Office 365 will soon be the communication tool of choice for TVDSB.  Please take time to set up your account and familiarize yourself with this tool since the transition has already begun.  Details can be found in the Employee Portal just above Conference Registrations.

Next ETFO-TVOT PD Opportunity; Ramifications of the OT Shortage; Benefits for LTOs

Our next PD event will take place on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, from 4:30 - 7:30 pm.
Topics being offered for this PD are:

1)  No Daybook, No Problem:  Writing Strategies and Activities Sure to Hook and Engage Even the Most Reluctant Writer

2)  No Daybook, No Problem: Reading Strategies and Activities to Promote Rich Conversation and Higher Level Thinking

3) Breaking Down the Barriers:  Using Media Literacy to Level the Playing Field for All Learners

Registration along with detailed descriptions will be available shortly at www.etfotvot.com
An email will be sent to all members who have an account on the etfotvot website.
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Thank you to Participants and Presenters alike who joined us at yesterday's PD event at the Best Western Lamplighter. Over 100 members attended and participated in this beneficial evening of Professional Development.
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Though the Shortage of Occasional Teachers in TVDSB is providing a wealth of teaching opportunities for our members, it is also responsible for the rampant violation of 2 provisions for daily OTs in our Collective Agreement:

1. L18.02 - The timetable for an Occasional Teacher shall be the same as the timetable of the Teacher being replaced ...
2. L16.07 - An Occasional Teacher who accepts and reports for an assignment shall be placed in that assignment unless otherwise mutually agreed.

Please know that your Local takes this "return to the dark ages" very seriously and we have filed a policy grievance on your behalf to ensure that the Agreement is honoured.  A policy grievance is filed without referring to specific members so please be assured that your reports to the Local office about infractions will not make you vulnerable.
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LTOs are eligible for benefits if their assignment is greater than 90 calendar days.  It seems there has been a delay in the Ontario Teachers' Insurance Plan (OTIP) receiving updated information from TVDSB so please check the link below for Frequently Asked Questions or call OTIP for more information:
http://www.etfo.ca/SupportingMembers/Benefits/Pages/ELHTBenefits.aspx

OTs from the Roster in LTO Assignments, October 27th Board Paid PD Opportunity and ETFO-TVOT PD OPPORTUNITY on October 24th

By this time of year, many of those on the LTO List are busy in assignments.  Under the terms of Regulation 274, if a job is not filled from the LTO List, then it is to be filled from properly subject qualified applicants from the OT Roster who apply.  For that reason, we encourage all members to apply for positions for which you are qualified. Be sure to ask the school for a LTO form because if it is a posted position, you can be set up on the first day. Remember that the onus is on you to ensure you have a current QECO rating on file with the Board. Once your paperwork has been processed, your pay will be readjusted to reflect your qualifications and recognized previous teaching experience per the Collective Agreement. Please do not hesitate to contact the Local OT Office for further clarification.
If you accept less than a .5 FTE Long-Term Assignment, you may still be able to fit in Daily OT assignments and are still eligible for three 1/2 days of Paid Professional Development - reserving one 1/2 day for mandatory on-line training in the Spring.
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There are still several spots available for daily OTs and those in LTOs of less than .5, to register for either Brian Aspinall's 21st Century Learning or Marian Small's Math Instruction in Ontario.  Both workshops fit in with TVDSB initiatives and both count as a day of work for all purposes so we encourage members to "Earn while you Learn". Go to:  TVDSB Employee Portal> Conference Registrations and click on Elementary Occasional Teacher PD 2017-2018 for details.
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Registration is open and filling up quickly for our Upcoming PD opportunity at the Lamplighter on October 24, from 4:30 - 7:30 PM.
Come out and mingle with your colleagues, have a delicious meal, (free for TVOT members) before your PD session, your choice from;

1) Explore Inquiry!
2) Classroom Management: A Practical Guide
3) Jump Math: Mental Math

Go to www.etfotvot.com to register!!
 

Sir Arthur Currie; To ensure you get grid pay as a LTO; Upcoming TVOT PD Opportunity - Oct. 24th; Half-Day assignments

Sir Arthur Currie
We can now confirm that the newly opened Sir Arthur Currie on Buroak Drive in London,  is a Balanced Day site so you may want to note this in this year's pocket calendars.
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To ensure you get grid pay as a LTO make sure ask the school for the the LTO form which must be signed and sent to Corissa Parker in Human Resource Services.  For evolving LTOs, the school must wait until the 10th day, however if you have accepted a posted LTO, then this form can be sent in by the school on the first day of the assignment, assuring that you will receive the pay to which you are entitled in a timely manner.  Please do not hesitate to contact the office if there are any difficulties.
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October 24th Dinner and PD
Registration is now open for our upcoming PD on October 24th, at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM.  These events begin with a dinner (no charge) and this month include:
1) Explore Inquiry
2) Classroom Management:  A Practical Guide
3) Jump Math: Mental Math
Registration is at : www.etfotvot.com
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Just a reminder to members that afternoon half-day assignments are the most difficult to fill so please be prepared to accept these - it is a great opportunity to become known at some schools you may not normally visit, and many of these are hidden gems you will enjoy.

Upcoming TVOT Professional Development Event; TVDSB Paid PD; ETFO Provincial Workshops: ETFO AQ Courses

Dinner and an Evening of PD with your OT Colleagues
Mark your calendars for October 24th for our upcoming OT Professional Development Event from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Street.

The following workshops will be presented:

1) Explore Inquiry! Presented by Katie Jeffries   TVDSB
2) Classroom Management: A Practical Guide  Presented by Cari Patterson   TVDSB
3) Jump Math:  Mental Math  Presented by  Frances Agro,  JUMP Math, Manager of Outreach and Teacher Support

Registration will be open soon at www.etfotvot.com.
- a blast email will be sent from the ETFO-TVOT website to advise you.  Please let all members you know of who may not have created their accounts to do so, that way they won't miss out!
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October 27 Board Paid PD Opportunity
There are still spots available for daily OTs and those in LTOs of less than .5, to register for either Brian Aspinall's 21st Century Learning or Marian Small's Math Instruction in Ontario. Both workshops fit in with TVDSB initiatives and both count as a day or work for all purposes so we encourage members to "Earn while you Learn".  Go to the TVDSB Employee Portal > Conference Registrations and click on Elementary Occasional Teacher PD 2017 - 2018 for details.
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ETFO Women's Workshops
Provincial ETFO is hosting workshops for Women members: 1) Protect Yourself: understanding education law to further strengthen your professionalism; 2) FNMI: Engage Learners Through Play to learn about indigenous worldviews, treaties, etc.
Occasional Teachers are invited with most expenses and salary covered so check www.etfo.ca for further details.
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ETFO Additional Qualification Courses
Just a reminder that October 30th is the deadline to register for any of the ETFO AQ winter session courses being offered.  Check out etfo-aq.ca for details and if you have been on the TVOT Roster for one year, consider applying for our Professional Learning Development Fund at www.etfotvot.com which will cover $300 of your fee.  Please note that members must apply prior to the course for approval.  The Local will not consider retro-active applications.

LTOs and Sept 29 PD Day; Microsoft Office 365; Next paid PD Opportunity

The LTOs responsibilities on PD Days
There is still confusion regarding LTOs responsibilities on PD Days though the Collective Agreement is clear:
L20.03 A Long-Term Occasional Teacher who is scheduled to work when there is a Professional Activity Day will be paid for the day and will be required to participate in the scheduled professional activity sessions, pro-rated according to the FTE of the assignment.
For example a .5 FTE would stay for half the day and be paid grid rate for that participation. Please do not hesitate to contact the office if you would like further clarification.
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Farewell to First Class
TVDSB is transitioning from First Class to Microsoft Office 365 as a corporate email platform so please review the O365 Tip Sheets posted in the Employee Portal in order to facilitate this transition.
After November 6, 2017, First Class will only be accessible as a digital filing cabinet from which users can print past communications as of November 6, 2017.  Please note that Swap Shop will also cease to exist at that time as well.
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Did you Realize that Missing your Paid PD cost you over $200 each day?
Daily OTs have opportunity to gain a day of pay plus seniority credit, EI credit, and pension credit when they participate in any of the Boards paid PA day opportunities.
- Three days have been negotiated for this year but a half day must be reserved for mandatory training which is posted each spring
- Participation in these days counts towards the 10 full days needed to remain on the elementary OT Roster
- LTOs are eligible to attend if their assignment is less than .5
- Registration is via the Employee Portal under “Conference/Session Registrations” Elementary Occasional Teacher PD (2017 – 2018)
- Sessions are already in place for September, October and November Board PD Days
BE AWARE THAT REGISTRATION IS EXPECTED TO OPEN ON OCTOBER 2nd for the next session!
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Meeting of Provincial Occasional Teacher Local Presidents
Your Local was pleased to have the privilege of hosting the most recent meeting of Provincial Occasional Teacher Local Presidents (POTs) meeting in London from September 24 - 26th. Twenty-three Occasional Teacher Locals from all parts of the province met to discuss matters of mutual concern.  Participants donated almost $500.00 to our Local charity, Merrymount Family and Children's Crisis Center and several of us had the privilege to visit the striking workers of Unifor #88 at the CAMI Plant in Ingersoll.
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PLDF

We are pleased at how well received the PLDF subsidy program has been and all the members who are using it. We continue to receive numerous applications and ask that you pay attention to the requirements stipulated at the top of the Form to avoid disappointment and ensure adequate fund allocation for your course.
 
The 2017-2018 Application Form can be found on the ETFO - TVOT website www.etfotvot.com under Member Services.

As always, do not hesitate to contact the TVOT office should you have any questions or require any further information!

Paid PD Opportunity: Copyright Rules, Professional Learning Development and Book Rebate Subsidy Programs & Pocket Calendars

TVDSB offers first Paid PD Event of the School Year
Registration opens on the Employee Portal Friday morning for the first paid PD event of 2017 - 2018. Participation counts as a day of work and as one of the required 10 days to remain on the OT Roster.  Spots go quickly so if you are a daily OT or in a LTO assignment of less than .5, don't leave this money on the table.
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Unsure about the copyright rules for Teachers in Canada?
Find the answers at http://www.copyrightdecisiontool.ca - a clear easy to use site that will enable you to confidently share information with your students.



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We are very pleased to advise we will be offering the Professional Learning Development Fund and Book Rebate Professional Development Programs to our members this year.
2017-2018 Application Forms can be found on the ETFO-TVOT website:  www.etfotvot.ca under Member Services - Useful Documents.

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2017-2018 Pocket Calendars are at the Printers and will be mailed out to all Thames Valley Occasional Teachers - (the Local does not get access to the mailing list until the middle of September so that is why we included September 2017 in last year's edition.) Please ensure your address is up to date on the Employee Portal, with any unit/apartment/suite numbers listed on the same line as the street address to ensure prompt delivery.
i.e. #8 - 521 Nottinghill Road.

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As always we are here for you, please don't hesitate to contact your Local with any questions or concerns and make certain to register at www.etfotvot.com so that we can keep you apprised of Board deadlines and PD opportunities.

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Welcome Back and the first paid PD Opportunity of the year etal

Welcome back to all ETFO-TVOT members.  We hope you had a lovely summer break and are ready to get back to the classroom.

Your Executive has been busy planning PD for you and further information will be sent out via email.  It is important that you have an account set up on the ETFO-TVOT website so you will not miss out on any important information.  Go to www.etfotvot.com to create your account.  Please use your personal email address as it is inappropriate to use the Board's First Class for Union business nor is it private.  

If you know of anyone who has not yet set up their accounts, please advise them it is in their best interests to stay informed and connected.  

Earn on September 29th: Look on the TVDSB Employee Portal on Friday to register for an extra day of pay for those who participate in paid professional development on September 29th. Check it out! The day counts for all purposes as a day of work.

TVARRIS has undergone some changes over the summer so be sure to check you profile to  update your schedule and school selections.  September is typically slower so now is a good time.

Corissa Parker will be taking over from newly retired Sandi Douglas in Human Resources at TVDSB.  Your Executive wishes her all the best and look forward to working with her this coming school year.

Front-Line Support needed! Sandi Douglas Retirement Announcement and a Note from the TVARRIS Coordinator

More front-line supports to address the classroom violence issue are called for. Please consider participating in ETFO's letter campaign to the Minister of Education.
You can access the letter through ETFO's Building Better Scholls campaign website:
http://www.buildingbetterschools.ca/action_centre
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Your TVOT Local is sad to share the following message from TVDSB:
With mixed emotions we announce the retirement of Sandi Douglas, effective 2017 August 31. Sandi's last day of work will be July 27. Sandi has been the key driver in our Junk Food Friday events and an avid supporter of United Way and Heart and Stroke fundraisers. We wish Sandi loads of health, happiness and the best retirement ever!

Sandi Douglas has been TVOT's invaluable contact with the Board's HR department since the inception of the Thames Valley District School Board and of ETFO.   We will greatly miss her professionalism and assistance.
Congratulations Sandi and best wishes for fun and happiness as you start this next phase of your life!
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NOTE FROM THE TVARRIS COORDINATOR:
Over the summer months maintenance will be taking place in TVARRIS and your Substitute schedule/locations will be cleared out.  To receive a TVARRIS call and to be pre-arranged into a job this must be populated.

Please review the job aids regarding location selection and schedule availability to update your profile including AVAILABILITY and LOCATIONS AFTER AUGUST 7th. Recognizing TVARRIS will begin calling up to two weeks in advance for future dated absences. You will need a schedule for a school to create your LTO/LTA job, or to be pre-arranged.

This is a reminder to maintain an accurate availability in your TVARRIS Substitute profile at all times. You should not be getting a TVARRIS call if you are not able to accept it.  If you are on a leave please delete your schedule. Having an accurate location selection and schedule will allow TVARRIS to match you up more accurately to jobs so that you are not ignoring a TVARRIS call. Please ANSWER WHEN TVARRIS CALLS.
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Until September -
This is our last edition of the WEDNESDAY BLOG for the 2016-2017 school year!
Please note the ETFO-TVOT office will be closed from July 1st - September 5th, 2017.
On behalf of your President, Terry Card and the Executive, we would like to take this opportunity to wish each of you an enjoyable and safe summer break.

Important June 30th Deadlines; National Aboriginal Day; QECO

June 30th Deadlines and Important Information:
- Mandatory online training modules: a condition of remaining active on OT Roster and worth .5 credit as a day of work; Thirteen modules beginning with Fire Code Training and ending with Slips, Trips and Falls. LTOs must also submit these modules and will have completed most of them with the staff at their schools. NB: This year, daily OTs must ensure they are "Available" June 30th so that their pay can be entered in TVARRIS.
- Extra 1.5 day of pay: for daily OTs or those in less than .5 LTO. Check out the Employee Portal > Conference Registration > Elementary OT PD and the online options listed under July 1.  Complete these anytime but make sure to submit a Reflection Form (available on the site) by 4 PM on June 30. Each module earns .5 of a day credit for all purposes including seniority, pay, EI, pension etc.

N.B. - All LTOs with an end date of June 30 are expected to attend school and be paid according to their grid rate that day so long as the permanent Teacher is not attending school that day. LTOs are paid at grid rate for all PA days within their assignment.
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National Aboriginal Day


Today, June 21 is National Aboriginal Day - a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Canadian Constitution recognizes these three groups as Aboriginal peoples, also known as Indigenous Peoples. Although similar, each group has its own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.
In cooperation with Indigenous organizations, the Government of Canada chose the summer solstice for National Aboriginal Day. Historically, many Indigenous communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day,  the year's longest day.

Deepen your understanding of FNMI issues and perspectives with ETFO resources available at www.SpiritHorse.ca.
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QECO and Grid Pay
If you are in a LTO and still being paid at the daily OT rate, you need to apply for a QECO rating and submit it to the Board Staffing Officer Sandi Douglas s.douglas@tvdsb.on.ca by the July 31st deadline.  The application process can take several weeks so start the process immediately and submit the green QECO confirmation card if it seems the final statement will not be available in time. 

Good news about your Teachers' Pension & 2 New Schools

The Ontario Teachers' Federation who oversees our Teachers' Pension Plan has just released the following:

Full inflation protection for retired teachers and a contribution rate reduction for active teachers.
The Ontario Teachers' Federation (OTF) and the Ontario Government, joint sponsors of the $175.6 billion Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (Plan), will use a portion of the $11.5 billion surplus in the Plan (as of January 1, 2017) to complete the restoration of inflation protection for teachers who retired after 2009. As well, the contribution rate for the Plan's active members will be reduced by 1.1%. Both changes are effective January 1, 2018.
"Conditional inflation protection has been proven to be an effective tool for managing Plan deficits and now, for the fourth year in a row, the sponsors will use some of the surplus to finish the restoration of indexing that pensioners lost in recent years," said OTF President Mike Foulds. "In addition, the Plan's active members will enjoy a 1.1% reduction in the contribution rate. The remainder of the surplus will be kept in reserve to provide benefit and contribution rate stability against future funding challenges such as low interest rates and increasing longevity, both of which increase the Plan's liabilities."
Pensioners who retired after 2009 will receive a one-time increase in January 2018 to restore their pensions to the levels they would have been at, had full inflation protection been provided each year since they retired. They will also receive a slightly higher inflation increase next year for the portion of their pensions earned after 2009. Cost-of-living increases for this portion of pension credit will equal 100% of the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), up from the current level of 90%. Pension credits earned before 2010 remain fully inflation-protected.
Active Plan members will enjoy a 1.1% reduction in the contribution rate they pay to the Plan.
Last March, Teachers' reported its fourth surplus in a decade. A preliminary funding valuation showed that the Plan was 105% funded at the beginning of 2017, based on current benefits and contribution rates.
For more information on these changes, please go to www.otpp.com<http://otffeo.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=990c4057179a7ed504464e546&id=4acd72773d&e=3d665608e6>.

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Reminder: 2 new schools will be opening up in September- here is the contact information:

Sir Arthur Currie P.S.
 2435 Buroak Drive
 London, ON  N6G 5B6


Cedar Hollow P.S.
 1800 Cedarhollow Boulevard
 London, ON  N5X 0C5

Note to LTOs re June 30th PD Day, PLDF Reminder; Regulation 274

Note to LTOs re June 30th PD Day
Please be aware that the Agreement provides that:
L20.03 A Long-Term Occasional Teacher who is scheduled to work when there is a Professional Activity Day will be paid for the day and will be required to participate in the scheduled professional activity sessions, pro-rated according to the FTE of the assignment.
This means that full LTOs are to be in school on June 30th and will be paid at grid rate on the last day of school unless the permanent Teacher is being paid to return to the job that day.
Please do not hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions.
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PLDF Reminder
If you are considering submitting a request for the Professional Learning Development Fund for a course you will be taking over the summer, we wish to remind you to send your application before the end of the month.  Approval for retroactive applications will not be approved.  Please ensure all requirements as stated on the application form are met.  Download applications from the ETFO-TVOT website under useful forms/documents in Member Services. Applicants must have been on the OT List for one year in order to be eligible.
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Regulation 274
Just a reminder of the steps to hiring as legislated under Regulation 274:
1) All elementary Occasional Teachers are member of the Roster and are ranked according to seniority. Seniority is not transferable from Board to Board or panel to panel.
2) After being a Board employee for 10 months and having taught 20 days, those on the Roster are eligible to apply to be interviewed for the LTO List. Unsuccessful candidates can ask for a debriefing from those who conducted the interview.
3) LTO positions are posted and will be filled first from those most senior qualified candidates from the LTO List who apply, and if the position remains unfilled, the posting becomes open to applicants from the OT Roster.
4) An OT who successfully completes a 4 month long-term assignment once they are on the LTO List, becomes eligible for permanent hire with interviews again offered by seniority. Unsuccessful applicants may request debriefing.
A few TVDSB specifics:
- In TVDSB seniority is defined as the accumulated number of days taught since hire to the Board's elementary OT Roster. (Those returning from maternity leave may apply to have their seniority adjusted so that the average number of days previously taught in the time period is added back).
- This year, more than 60% of those interviewed in TVDSB were successful.
- September LTO assignments will be posted by TVDSB on August 14th and placement will be by central staffing by seniority from those who apply  i.e., there will no interviews.
- TVDSB Permanent postings for "Round 4" are expected in the last week of June.

Please do not hesitate to contact the OT Office for further clarification.

Last Chance for 2 extra days of pay and SMART Board Workshop - June 7th, 2017

Daily Occasional Teachers have access to 2 extra days of pay, delivered as paid Professional Development. (Those in LTO assignments .5 FTE or less can be paid for one full day). A half-day is to be paid for completion of the 13 online mandatory training modules listed in the Employee Portal under "Employee Training".  Your other three half day options include online webinars that can be done at your leisure, or by participating in the final Board sponsored PD sessions being offered on June 9th, however registration closes for these on this Friday, June 2nd.
Sessions fill quickly so check out the Employee Portal >Conference/Session Registrations> Elementary Occasional Teacher PD (2016-2017). Click on "Register" to see your options.
These days count as a day of work for purposes of seniority, Employment Insurance, Pension credit etc. so register today and "Earn as you Learn".
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SMART Board PD Workshop- Wednesday, June 7th, 2017   

Westmount P.S. , 1011 Viscount Road in London from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
(a light dinner will be provided).

The SMART Board has become integral to the modern, elementary classroom and an essential tool for creating lessons that are both interactive and engaging for students. During this hands-on workshop, participants will experience many of the basic features and have an opportunity to practice creating SMART Board lessons in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Presenter :  Katie Jeffries
Registration is now open at www.etfotvot.com under Member Services

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Registration is now open for ETFO Summer Academy!!!!

Spring General Meeting and your Local Executive for 2017-2018; ETFO Provincial Opportunities; Deadline for your Book Rebate Application

Spring General Meeting
Over 100 members registered for our Spring General Meeting and Elections which took place at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, last Thursday.
The following TVOT Members were elected for the your Local 2017-2018 Executive Positions:

Executive
 President:  Terry Card
 1st Vice-President: Nancy Springer
 2nd Vice-President: Vivek Nath
 Secretary: Sarah Pye
 Treasurer: Kevin Utley
 Health & Safety Officer:  David Griffith
 Executive Members at Large:  Meera Jain, Farida Makhani, Sharon Pinylo, Shasta Tunks

 Collective Bargaining Committee:
  Chief Negotiator:  Terry Card
  Bargaining Committee Members:  Vivek Nath, Sharon Pinylo, Nancy Springer, Kevin Utley

Thank you for interest and support!!!!
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ETFO AQ Courses
Registration is now open for ETFO's Additional Qualifications courses which includes the new "Environmental Education Part 1" session.  These are high-quality courses by developed by Teachers for Teachers so we encourage members to check out www.etfo-aq.ca for the this year's selections.

ETFO Summer Academy
Just a heads up to members that registration for the popular 3 day sessions, will open next week at www.etfo.ca.  Courses are extremely popular so make sure to act quickly if you are interested.  A good opportunity to meet other Teachers from across Ontario.
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TVOT $50 Book Rebate
Don't miss the deadline to submit your claim for $50 towards the purchase of a professional resource. Forms along with accompanying receipts are due at the ETFO- TVOT office by May 31, 2017!  The following books are some of the resources your peers have used their book rebates toward:

 - Classroom Management Guide for Substitute Teachers: And New Teachers, Author: Bonnie Moon,      Publisher:  Outskirts Press (May 1, 2013),
 - Teach Like a Pirate: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity and Transform Your Life as an Educator,  Author: Dave Burgess    Publisher:  Dave Burgess Consulting, Incorporated (Aug. 18, 2012),
  -  See Me After Class:  Advice for Teachers by Teachers,  Author:  Roxanna Elden,   Publisher: Sourcebooks, 2nd ed. (Nov. 1, 2013).
   - Lost AT School,  Author:  Ross W. Greene,    Publisher:  Simon and Schuster
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Spring General Meeting & Banquet; Go to the Sources for your Info: Robert Reich on Widening Inequality;

Spring General Meeting and Banquet
We look forward to seeing over 100 members at tomorrow afternoon's Spring General Meeting and Banquet at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road South, in London from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm.  We have a lovely  plated dinner to be served along with door prizes and a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow members and your Executive! There may be cancellations so please call the office if you are interested in attending.

Where do you get your information?
Just a reminder to members that gossip runs rampant, whether in staff rooms, unauthorized Facebook groups, or among friends.  If you want to ensure that you have the correct information, please call either your Local at 519-641-3936 or the Board Office.  These are the parties who have negotiated your Collective Agreement and who oversee all aspects of your working relationship as TVDSB elementary Occasional Teachers. All questions are valued and confidential.  This is your livelihood - why settle for an unauthorized and possibly ill-informed interpretation of the terms of your working conditions.

Brief video worth viewing from Robert Reich 
Time Magazine has called him one of the 10 best US cabinet members of the century.  See Robert Reich's short illustration on the widening economic inequality in North America:

The next time someone doesn't think widening inequality is a problem mention these seven economic fundamentals. Watch and spread the word! pic.twitter.com/ATLTretasd

— Robert Reich (@RBReich) May 13, 2017

Elementary Provincial Report Cards and Professional Judgement, Mandatory on-line Training and the Upcoming Spring General Meeting

ETFO has recently updated their documents regarding the Elementary Provincial Report Card Continued Implementation - Grades 1 to 8.
This information can be found at http://www.etfo.ca/adviceformembers/professionaljudgement/Pages/default.aspx  in the Professional Judgement section of the website and is titled ETFO Professional Judgement Guidelines for the Completion of the Elementary Provincial Report Card - Grades 1 to 8.
Members who have questions or concerns may contact staff in Professional Relations Services (PRS) at 416-962-3836 or 1-888-838-3836.
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The Annual WHMIS Review / Offence Declaration / IT Security is now available in the Employee Portal.  This is done annually and must be completed by all TVDSB Staff by 2017 August 31.  Please make sure you are using Internet Explorer as your internet browser.

* NOTE - ALL 3 ITEMS MUST BE COMPLETED TOGETHER OR NONE WILL REGISTER AND YOU WILL HAVE TO DO THEM AGAIN.

Please follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Employee Portal.
2. Find the link, highlighted in yellow, "Annual WHMIS Review / Offence Declaration / IT" under    Personal Information.
3. Complete the WHMIS Review by viewing the video and completing the Quiz.
4. At the bottom of the WHMIS Results page click on the Complete Offence Declaration button, you  will be able to print all of your results at the final step.
5. Answer your Offence Declaration and click the submit button.
6. A message will appear indicating successful completion. Continue on to the IT Security Policy  Declaration by clicking on the button.
7. Review the Policy and Procedures listed, check the box to the left of the statement. Click to save  your completed declaration.
8. Use the EXIT button in the top right to return to your portal. You have now completed all three  requirements.
9. You can review your completion details by clicking on the link again in your portal, if required for your records you can PRINT this page.

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We look forward to hosting over 110 members at our upcoming Spring General Meeting and Banquet next Thursday, May 18th, at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road South, in London, from 4:30 - 7:30 pm.
There are still spots available if you have not yet registered.  This is always a wonderful opportunity to meet your peers and the Executive while enjoying a complimentary fine dinner.
Registration at www.etfotvot.com under Member Services.
Don't hesitate to contact the Local at 519-641-3936 with any questions or if you require any assistance.



    

List of Candidates for Local Elections 2017-2018, Spring General Meeting & Retired Teachers of Ontario Invitation

The following Members have put their names forward for the following positions in the upcoming Local Elections on May 18, 2017:

Local Executive Positions:

President : (first year of two year term - no election)
First Vice-President :  Nancy Springer
Second Vice-President : Vivek Nath
Secretary : Sarah Pye
Treasurer : Kevin Utley
Health & Safety Officer : No Nomination Received
Executive Members at Large (four positions) : (in alphabetical order)
 Meera Jain
 Farida Makhani
 Sharon Pinylo

Collective Bargaining Committee:

Chief Negotiator (7.3.4 Local Constitution) :  Terry Card
4 additional members (5 if Pres. and Ch. Negotiator same person): (in alphabetical order) 
 Vivek Nath
 Sharon Pinylo
 Nancy Springer

Delegate/Alternates to Provincial ETFO Annual Meeting, August 14-17, 2017:
 Sharon Pinylo

Thank you for your interest and continued support
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Registration is now open for the Spring General Banquet at the Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road in London, N6C 4R3 on Thursday May 18, 2017 from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM.

Meet your peers and enjoy this complimentary fine dinner:

Garden Lettuce with Slivers of Sweet Red Onion dressed in Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette;

Duo of Grilled Filet of Beef Tenderloin with a Shitake Mushroom Cabernet Sauce and Grain-Fed Chicken Breast with a Sauvignon Blanc Reduction; Olive Oil Roasted Mini Potatoes; Chef's Seasonal Vegetables; Freshly Baked Breads, Assorted Flatbreads and European Rolls;

French Style Lemon Curd Mousse Cake on a Swirl of Fruit Sauce; Coffee and Tea

Vegetarian Menu
Mushroom Raviolli with Alfredo Sauce

Have a say in the business of your Local and register at www.etfotvot.com
Please call the Local if you have any questions or require any assistance in registering for this Event.
(519)641-3936.
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The Retired Teachers of Ontario, District 37 (Oxford) has invited all members (and a guest),who have decided to retire this year to join them at The Bellringer Breakfast.  This is a wonderful opportunity for your retired colleagues to welcome you into this new and well-deserved life adventure.

The Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTO/ERO) is a 75,000 plus strong organization that for nearly 50 years has served the needs of retired teachers, educational employees and their families. Those who have been employed in any aspect of public education are eligible for membership.  At the provincial level, the RTO/ERO Health Plan provides an opportunity for health insurance coverage that is non-age banded. Advocacy regarding issues affecting retired seniors is another important service of the provincial organization.

The breakfast will take place on September 5, 2017 at the Community Hall in Mt. Elgin at 9:00a.m.
This is a great opportunity to join District 37 and learn about the many benefits of membership in RTO/ERO.

Please Respond by May 26, 2017 to Sandra Stock;
: By email-rsstock@execulink.com
: By telephone: 519 462 2643

Paid PD and Mandatory Training & ETFO Project Overseas 2018 Opportunity

Just a reminder that daily Occasional Teachers Elementary (OTE) have access to 2 designated, fully paid PA Days (four 1/2 days).

One half-day must be used for the required OTE mandatory online training now posted in the TVDSB Employee Portal, with the deadline for completion of these modules being June 30th.

Additional paid  PD opportunities can be found on the Employee Portal under Conference/Session Registrations > Elementary Occasional Teacher PD 2016-2017. Many of these are online sessions however there will be additional in-person workshops posted soon for the PD Day on June 9th.

Your Local strongly encourages members to use this opportunity to beef up their earnings, seniority ranking, pension credit and eligible EI hours.

Note:  Members in full year LTOs are not eligible if their FTE is above 0.5.
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We have received calls from members inquiring about the required training modules for this year.
There are 13 modules in total for Occasional Teachers. These were listed in the April 4th BLOG and can be found in the Employee Portal > Employee Training with ours listed as 2016 - 2017 OTE Required Training, the last one of which for OTS is "December Slips, Trips and Falls".
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Do you have an interest in learning about other countries and sharing a global perspective with your students and colleagues? Do you have a passion for international development? Are you an experienced educator with five full years of teaching in Canada, who works well in a team, possesses strong curriculum and teaching leadership experience and is also knowledgeable and active in your teacher union? ETFO will sponsor 14 members to participate in Project Overseas 2018. If selected, teachers volunteer their time in the summer and ETFO, through the Canadian Teachers' Federation, covers all expenses. Working with teacher organizations in host countries, ETFO members present professional learning with experienced in-country teachers.

Application forms and information will be available August 2017 at the website listed below. For information on the program or the application process, contact Jim Giles at jgiles@etfo.org, or 416-962-3836 extension 2276.

VISIT --  etfot.ca/AdvocacyandAction/WorldIssues/ProjectOverseas

Deadline to register is October 31, 2017.

Upcoming Spring General Meeting and 2 TVOT Tech PD Workshops

Registration is now open for the Spring General Banquet at the Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road in London, N6C 4R3 on Thursday May 18, 2017 from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM.

Meet your peers and enjoy this complimentary fine dinner:

Garden Lettuce with Slivers of Sweet Red Onion dressed in Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette;

Duo of Grilled Filet of Beef Tenderloin with a Shitake Mushroom Cabernet Sauce and Grain-Fed Chicken Breast with a Sauvignon Blanc Reduction; Olive Oil Roasted Mini Potatoes; Chef's Seasonal Vegetables; Freshly Baked Breads, Assorted Flatbreads and European Rolls;

French Style Lemon Curd Mousse Cake on a Swirl of Fruit Sauce; Coffee and Tea

Vegetarian Menu
Mushroom Raviolli with Alfredo Sauce

Have a say in the business of your Local and register at www.etfotvot.com
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Registration is open for the following after-school 2 TVOT Tech Workshops:

1- Google Apps for Complete Beginners:  Monday April 24th,  4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Google's suite of applications are fast becoming the standard for collaborative learning and assessment. Come out and learn the basics of Google Apps for Education in a relaxed, supportive environment. Participants will be introduced to Google Drive, Docs and Slides, and will have the opportunity to see how Google Classroom can streamline teaching and assessment.

2- The Software Savvy Occasional Teacher:  Monday, May 1st,  4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Occasional Teachers encounter many different software tools, apps, and websites during their daily assignments.  OTs in LTOs are eager to include relevant technology experiences for their students. In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to explore common websites and apps that they might encounter in classrooms during their daily assignments. We will spend time looking at ways to incorporate the technology into lessons and experiment with creating activities. Content will include overviews of: green-screen apps, presentations apps, and common math websites and games.

Both workshops are being held at Westmount P.S., 1011 Viscount Road, London, N6K 1H5.
A light meal will be provided.

Spots are limited
Register at www.etfotvot.com
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Save the Date!!! Local Spring General Meeting and Banquet - LOCAL ELECTIONS

Please join us on Thursday, May 18, 2017 for our Spring General Meeting and Banquet taking place at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road South in London from 4:30PM - 7:30PM. Registration will be open on the ETFO-TVOT website: www.etfotvot.com by week's end.

Local Elections
Have you ever considered running for a position on the ETFO Thames Valley Occasional Teachers' Executive?  The Local's Spring Annual Meeting is when the membership selects its Executive officers for the coming year.  All active members are eligible and encouraged to submit candidate forms (posted on the Local website).  Meetings are held once a month after school at our Local office. Being a member of the Executive is a rewarding learning opportunity so find out what is going on and make a difference!

Elections will be held May 18, 2017 at the Lamplighter Inn for the following positions:

President - full-time position; official spokesperson and representative of Local; grievance officer; liaison and member of all committees; signing officer; (2 year term for this position so no election until 2018)

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, drafts budget and reports to Executive and membership

Secretary - prepares and circulates accurate minutes of past and present Executive and General Membership 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 and participates in applicable training

Executive Members at Large (4) - duties as determined by the Executive

Chief Negotiator - negotiates the collective agreement; maintains agreement and reports to membership

Collective Bargaining Committee (President, Chief Negotiator and 4-5 others) - collect information from membership in preparation of preliminary submission

ETFO Provincial Annual Meeting Alternates (5) - pool from which delegate vacancies will be filled; Toronto August 14-17, 2017 (all costs paid)

Mandatory On-Line Modules now available and TVOT Book Club Registration Open

Mandatory On-Line Training
The following training initiatives are required for the 2016-2017 school year and must be completed on or before June 30, 2017 (with payment by July 21st, 2017). You must electronically confirm completion of each module. Please ensure you are using Internet Explorer to view your required training. If you are using an alternate browser (i.e. Google Chrome, Safari, etc.) then you may run into a compatibility issue. If you are using the newest version of Internet Explorer you may have to add TVDSB as a compatible website to your computer using the instructions attached. It is suggested that you take the time to complete all the training at once.

To access the training:
Log into the Employee Portal
To the right Under Staff Development and Training on the right hand side there's a link
"mandatory training"
Click on the link

Please note that the WHMIS, Offence Declaration and ITS Security Declaration (available in May)
will be accessible on the main page of the Employee Portal under the heading "Personal Information"". - once you have completed the training, try and do it again. A confirmation sheet with a button that says "print this page" will appear. This is your confirmation you have completed it.

The required training modules this year are:
1.   Fire Code Safety Training
2.   Violence Awareness Training - Module 1 - Legislative & Information Sharing
3.   Module 3- Post Incident Review & Documentation
4.   Module 4 - Safe Schools and Employee Roles
5.   Module 5 - Harassment
6.   Module 8 - Domestic Violence in the Workplace
7.   Module 9 - Parking Lots
8.   Concussion Part I - Concussion Awareness
9.   Concussion Part II - Response, Management
10. Anaphylaxis & Asthma Management
11. September - Emergency Codes and Asbestos Awareness
12. November - Ladder Safety Awareness
13. December Slips, Trips and Falls

PLEASE NOTE:  Occasional Teachers on a Board approved leave of absence are not required to do the mandatory training however, must complete the WHMIS Review, Annual Offence Declaration and ITS Security Declaration prior to 2017 August 31.
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TVOT Book Club
Registration is now open for the TVOT Book Club - Lost at School by Ross Green.  Join your peers at our Local OT Office at 521 Nottinghill Road, Suite 8 in London, for two evenings to discuss Ross Green's Lost at School.  Our first book club date is on April 18, and the second is on April 27 from 4:30 - 7:00 PM.  A light meal will be served.
Spaces are very limited and you must be available to attend both evenings.
Please go to www.etfotvot.com to register.

Return of the TVOT Book Clubs; Paid mandatory online training; OTF Subsidies for AQs; Last weekend for Columbia store invitation;

TVOT Book Club - Lost at School by Ross Green
Join your peers at our Local OT Office at 521 Nottinghill Road, Suite 8 in London, for two evenings to discuss Ross Green's Lost at School.  Explore how to assist students with behavioural challenges using a novel approach that goes beyond traditional incentives and consequences. Learn to identify triggers and how to implement realistic strategies that will have a lasting positive effect on struggling students.  Our first book club will take place at the end of April with registration opening on our website next week and members can use their annual $50 Local Book Rebate to assist with the purchase of Lost at School.
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Mandatory Online Training
TVOT members are reminded that they are expected to reserve one-half day of their 2 days of paid professional development, for completion of the Board's mandatory online training modules. LTOs will have completed many of these during the course of their long-term assignments, and must verify this in the Portal and complete any modules that are outstanding.
The required modules must be completed by the last day of the school year in June but they will not be posted in the Employee Portal until April 1st.   Once you have logged into the Portal you will access the training just under the heading on the right hand, "Staff Development and Training".  The block for elementary Occasional Teachers will be clearly labelled and is regarded as .5 of a day of work for all purposes.  Further details will be sent out on First Class by the Board but do not hesitate to contact the Local should you have any questions.
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OTF Subsidies
The Ontario Teachers' Federation still has funding available for completion of certain AQ courses. Subsidies are still available for AQs in Kindergarten, Mathematics, and Integration of Information and Computer Technology (IICT). Go to www.oct.ca for further information or contact Tim Cunningham at ETFO Provincial at 1-888-838-3836.
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Columbia Employee Store Invitation
Just a reminder that this will be the final weekend that you can use your employee invitation to shop at the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store at 1425 Max Brose Drive in London.  To download the invitation and for further details log in to www.etfotvot.com your ETFO Occasional Teachers' website.

H&S Risk Assessment Survey; Columbia Store Invitation; Remembering Vimy Ridge; Upcoming Paid PD Event on March 23rd

Health and Safety Risk Assessment Survey
Just a reminder that Occasional Teachers have until the end of this week to let the Board know about their safety concerns by participating in the TVDSB Annual Risk Assessment Survey.  The process takes about 10 minutes and the link is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9FQ7ZRY. The survey is confidential with information summarized to identify concerns and direct policy development and implementation.
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Columbia Store Invitation
For any TVOT member interested in shopping for sportswear at the Columbia Employee Store, your initiation awaits you on the Local's website and is in effect from March 13th to April 2nd. Details are available after you log into Member Services.
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Remembering Vimy Ridge
Teachers who are considering activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Canada's heroic participation in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, are encouraged to visit veterans.gc.ca where there is a wealth of information and free resources. More than 3600 Canadians lost their lives to achieve victory at Vimy Ridge and another 7000 were wounded.  Call 1-866-522-2122 to learn more about this effort and/or for information about the contribution of the many indigenous soldiers who fought bravely during both world wars.
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We look forward to seeing over 100 members at tomorrow afternoon's paid PD Event at the Stoneridge Inn and Conference Centre from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm.
There are still several spots available for workshops #2 Additive to Multiplicative Thinking and
#3 What Does Math Look Like in Kindergarten?
Registration is available via the Local website etfotvot.com

Once again, we share the following information:

"Due to an alarming number of "no-shows" at previous events, the Executive has passed the following motion:  All members will be responsible for the cost of the meal should that member not give notice of the inability to attend an event prior to the start of the event".

Please contact the office by telephone or email if you cannot attend a workshop/dinner you had registered for. Another member may be able to take your spot in the PD workshop and the meal that was paid for would not be wasted!
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We wish to thank the participants and presenters of yesterday's PD Event at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn.  Another beneficial and well-attended Professional Development for almost 100 members!
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New OTF website, another Paid PD Opportunity and Columbia Sportswear Employee Invitation

The Ontario Teachers' Federation (OTF) has developed the "Teachers' Gateway to Special Education" website at www.teachspeced.ca.  The Special Education Gateway is a collection of resources and strategies for elementary and secondary teachers of special education students and also provides searchable web-based resources.

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We are very pleased to announce another paid PD opportunity for our members.  The workshops being offered are the same as those offered for our last paid PD event on February 21st at the Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre namely:

1) Number Talks
2) Additive to Multiplicative
3) What Does Math Look Like in Kindergarten?

This opportunity filled up very quickly last month and we are very happy to be able to offer it to those members who were unable to participate.  Accordingly then, priority will be granted to those members who did not participate last month.
This does not preclude those who would like to register and participate in one of the other math courses, those members will be placed on a 'wait list' and if spaces are available, you will be notified and you will not be paid for attending.
Dinner will be included for all ETFO -TVOT members.

Please go to www.etfotvot.com to register and avoid disappointment.

On another note, we generally have wait lists and dinner for these events run anywhere from $35 - $40 per person.  It has become a problem when registrants don't show up to events.  Please think about this, and advise the office accordingly by telephone call or email should you need to cancel your registration. Your consideration is appreciated by your fellow-members.

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Lastly, we have received a Columbia Sportswear Company Invitation to shop from March 13 - April 2, 2017.  You can find your invitation on the ETFO-TVOT website under Member Services.
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ETFO Tentative Extension Agreement; Book Rebate PLDF subsidies; Provincial ETFO PD opportunities; Teacher Supply Tax Credit

ETFO Tentative Extension Agreement
Members are reminded that the ETFO Provincial telephone town hall is tonight at 7:30 PM. Voting on the tentative extension agreement has already opened and will close Friday, March 3rd at 11:59 PM. Members will need to provide their ETFO ID number (on the red apple card and on Voice magazine address label) in order to participate in the vote. Details on the agreement and the process can be found at www.etfocb.ca. Your Local Executive has had significant discussions regarding the proposed extension agreement and we are pleased to discuss this matter or any of your other concerns. The office phone number is 519-641-3936.
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We have received numerous calls and emails asking questions about the Book Rebate and Professional Learning Development Fund subsidies offered by your Local. In a nutshell, the Book Rebate program offers up to $50/year per member.  Members may only purchase books or resources that are related to elementary professional practice. The Form along with the original receipt of purchase must be received at the ETFO-TVOT office- 521 Nottinghill Road, Unit #8, in London, N6K 4L4 by May 31st, 2017. 

The Professional Learning Development Fund (PLDF) offers members a chance to personalize their professional development.  Funding for this program is $300 per year/member for courses or workshops, whether in-person, on-line or by correspondence. All course funding must be pre-approved and the funding cannot be applied retroactively.  All courses must be related to the elementary education profession and to be eligible, applicants must have been on the TVDSB elementary OT Roster for a minimum of twelve months. Approvals are first-come-first serve until the funding limit is reached.

Application forms for both the Book Rebate and the PLDF are found in the Member Services area under "Useful Forms/Documents" link on the ETFO-TVOT website  : www.etfotvot.com.
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Did you know that ETFO Occasional Teachers are eligible to participate in any of the conferences offered by ETFO Provincial? Check out www.etfo.ca for upcoming conferences such as the FNMI Education Symposium being held April first, the Technology for Teachers Conference being held April 7-8th and the Kindergarten Conference being held April 28-29th.  Travel expenses, shared accommodation expenses and the cost of meals and resources are covered by ETFO Provincial for a small registration fee.  We encourage members to take advantage of these opportunities made possible through their ETFO fees.
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This will be the First Year that Teachers and Occasional Teachers will be eligible to claim the School Supply Tax Credit.  Unlike other Boards where there is a person designated to oversee these claims, in TVDSB this is an electronic process.  If you would like further information on allowable expenses etc. please visit the question and answer page at 
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gnc/bdgt/2016/qa03/eng.html

LTO List; Tentative Contract Extension

Interviews for the LTO List
Your Local wants to remind elementary OTs who wish to be considered for the LTO List, that the deadline to indicate your interest via the Employee Portal is next Tuesday, February 28th. As of September of last year, this interview process is the only path onto the LTO List, even for members from the OT Roster who are currently teaching in long-term assignments. To be eligible, a member must have been hired no later than February 1, 2016 since Regulation 274 legislates an OT must be employed by the Board for at least 10 months and have taught 20 days.  Interviews are expected to take place late in March. Please do not hesitate to contact the Local at etfotvot@gmail.com if you have any questions.  This opportunity takes place only once per school year.
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Provincial ETFO's Tentative Contract Extension
The regular course of negotiations would have the Local survey members about now to determine from the grass roots, issues pertaining to your working conditions that need to be addressed. By adding these concerns to those that cross the desk of the Local office between rounds of bargaining, (we respond to more than a thousand phone calls from TVOT members per school year and many many more emails), then looking at gains achieved elsewhere, your Collective Bargaining Committee would identify goals for local bargaining and take these to the membership for approval and direction. This proposed contract extension from Provincial ETFO hinders the opportunity to address local issues with a provision requiring the Board's consent for local bargaining to take place. 
Your Local Executive asks you to consider the extension carefully. There are two sides to this proposal - you will be the decision makers when you vote between February 27th and March 3rd. The ETFO CB Facebook group offers some food for thought and a different perspective. Be informed about both sides.
Thames Valley Teachers and Occasional Teachers are invited to an provincially hosted information meeting at the Teacher Local office on Bateman Trail, on Monday, February 27th at 4:30 PM.   Provincial ETFO will then host a telephone conference on March 1st from 7:30 - 8:30 pm.  Ensure your contact information is accurate with the provincial office www.etfo.ca if you wish to participate and do not hesitate to contact the Local office at 519-641-3936 if you have any questions.

Local Perspective on Tentative Contract Extension; Kindergarten Conference Opportunity and Stoneridge PD: Feb. 21, 2017

ETFO Announces Tentative Contract Extension - A Local Perspective
Between February 27 and March 3, ETFO members will be asked to vote online to accept or reject the terms of a tentative contract extension. This is a departure from the regular course of bargaining in that our Collective Agreements have not yet expired and if accepted, there will be no local bargaining this round. It is the Local that maintains your Collective Agreement, responds to member difficulties and from these interactions, drafts improvements to take to the local table to address your needs. The superior provisions of your Agreement have come from this process. This proposal takes away that opportunity - what Board would dare break ranks with the public school boards association (OPSBA) to entertain local gains?
On Monday evening, your Local Executive met and considered the terms of this proposal. The deal provides a substantial investment in education to be shared among the federations, however after fighting Bill 115 to retain the right to bargain, your Local Executive feels strongly about losing local negotiations.  Rejecting this proposal means bargaining will follow the usual course at the expiration of the current terms. One can never predict the outcome but it seems reasonable to expect that ETFO would be offered no less than the smaller Catholic and Francophone federations, especially as the Ontario election draws nearer.
We encourage members to give this deal the critical thought it deserves before you vote. Review the details as presented in the ETFO CB Newsletter, attend the information meeting slated for February 27 at the ETFO Teachers' Local on Bateman Trail and please do not hesitate to contact the Local with any questions. Please be assured that the outcome of  the tentative contract extension will be democratically decided by the voting membership.
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Seeing, Engaging and Empowering the Learner in Kindergarten Conference
This conference is being offered for ETFO members only, to network with colleagues, explore effective practices and pedagogy in Kindergarten and enhance teacher and DECE knowledge about content and exemplary practices. This will be an exciting learning and networking opportunity for members from across the province.

The conference will be held at the Kingbridge Conference Centre in King City on Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1, 2017. Participation is limited and participants will be selected by a random draw with preference going to first time attendees. Registration for the conferences closes on Wednesday, February 22 at 5:00 p.m.. The registration fee is $50 and covers transportation, shared accommodations, resources and release time. Successful applicants will be notified by email by Tuesday, February 28, 2017.

For more information go to www.etfo.ca
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We look forward to hosting over 140 members at next Tuesday's PD Event at the Stoneridge Inn and Conference Centre.  At this time, there are some 12 spots remaining in the workshops.  Avoid disappointment and register at www.etfotvot.com
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