2019 ETFO Member Validation Sticker, Survey on Violence and Employment Insurance

Once again, the 2019 ETFO member validation sticker will be mailed to members' homes in the winter edition of VOICE magazine so check your copy to ensure you do not discard your sticker. Please be aware that the delivery of the magazine may be delayed this year.
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As previously communicated, ETFO is partnering with University of Ottawa researchers Chris Bruckert and Darcy Santor on the Harassment and Violence in Education (Ontario) Survey.

The survey, launched on December 4th, has so far generated a strong number of responses.

In order to ensure that the researchers receive a viable sample size, we are continuing to encourage members to participate via social media and the ETFO general Enewsletter (another message about it will go out on Tuesday in the Enewsletter).  As well, the deadline for the survey has been extended until the end of day on Friday December 21.

Results will be tabulated and a comprehensive report made available to ETFO early in the new year, and the research will be used for public education initiatives.

We encourage you to participate in this important survey ( http://www.edviol.net ).
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Please Note:
Service Canada will no longer be issuing a Reference Code for EI applications for educational employees.

All Records of Employment (for permanent & temporary employees) will be sent electronically to Service Canada by Payroll Services. Employees do not need a hard copy of their Record Of Employment to apply for Employment Insurance. Payroll Services will process the mass Records of Employment for Employment Insurance purposes by the following dates:

Permanent employees: January 2, 2019
Temporary employees: January 16, 2019

If you have any questions, please call the Payroll Help Line at (519)452-2521.
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The ETFO-TVOT office will be closed over the Holiday break (Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 6, 2019).
Wishing everyone a safe, joyous and restful break !  See you in 2019 !!!

OPHEA and the Provincial Consultation Process and Be Careful of Comments on Social Media

OPHEA and the Provincial Consultation Process

The Government of Ontario is currently hosting public consultations on a number of key educational components, including the content of the Health and Physical Education curriculum, approaches to health-related topics in the classroom, parent engagement, and physical activity policy. As part of the provincial consultation process educators, parents, students, and stakeholders are invited to provide feedback until December 15, 2018.  This week Ophea (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association) is launching a social media campaign to call on all Ontarians to participate in these provincial consultations. OPHEA strongly encourages everyone to participate in the single largest consultation on the single largets health promotion intervention this province has ever seen.  At a minimum the curriculum needs to meet international standards, Ontario human rights and should align with national guidelines around sexual health education.

For your reference, here are the needed links to participate in the provincial consultation process prior to the December 15th deadline (visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/for-the-parents).

• Online Open Submission (visit: https://www.ontario.ca/form/open-submissions-education-ontario )
• Online Survey (visit: https://registration.fortheparents.ca/  where you'll need to register an email address to have the survey link emailed to you directly)

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Many of you have been getting information from some source that may not have all the facts so please contact this office when you have questions regarding the Collective Agreement. We cannot support entries/comments on Social Media that do not originate from this office.

Registration for January Paid PD is now available!

Registration for January Paid PD is now available in the Employee Portal.  The options include:

                                                    Friday JAN. 18, 2019

Time:  9:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M
- Culturally Responsive Mathematics Education - AM
- Google Classroom for the OT - Jan AM
- Google Sites as a Professional Portfolio - Jan AM
- LGBT2Q+ 101
- Library Learning Commons Tips and Tricks - Jan
- Poverty - Understanding the under-resourced student
- Self-Directed PD Half day - January 18 - with Principal Permission
- Supporting English Language Learners in Grade 1 - 8 Classrooms - Winter

Time:  9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
- Self-Directed PD Full day - January 18 - with Principal Permission

Time:  1:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.
- Culturally Responsive Mathematics Education - PM
- ELLS: Finding Identity in the Classroom through Math and Technology - Winter
- Google Classroom for the OT - Jan PM
- Google Sites as a Professional Portfolio - Jan PM
- The Blanket Exercise - Winter

The Following Options are available for completion anytime up to
                                             Friday JUN 28, 2019

Time:  2:00 P.M. to 2:10 P.M.
 - 0.5 Online Special Education: Inclusion and Independence

Time:  2:10 P.M. to 2:20 P.M.
 - 0.5 Online Special Education: Learning for All

Time: 2:20 P.M. to 2:30 P.M.
 - 0.5 Online Special Education:  Unpacking the IEP

Time: 2:30 P.M. to 2:40 P.M.
 - 0.5 Online Literacy: Comprehensive Literacy - Reading

Time:  2:40 P.M. to 2:50 P.M.
 - 0.5 Online Math: Building Number Sense in the Primary Years

Time: 2:50 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.
 - 0.5 Online Math: Making Sense of Addition and Subtraction

Time: 3:00 P.M. to 3:10 P.M.
 - 0.5. Online Math: Developing Flexible Addition and Subtraction Strategies

Time: 3:10 P.M. to 3:20 P.M.
 - 0.5 Online Math: Making Sense of Multiplication and Division

Time: 3:20 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.
 - 0.5 Online Math: Developing Fluency with Multiplication and Division

Time: 3:30 P.M. to 3:40 P.M.
 - 0.5 Online Math: Comparing Fractions

Time: 3:40 P.M. to 3:50 P.M.
 - 0.5 Online FSL: Positive Classroom Environment

Time: 3:50 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
 - 0.5 Online FSL: Oral Proficiency
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We look forward to seeing everyone at our Fall General Meeting and Banquet later this afternoon!
 

Fall General Meeting Next Week!, ETFO's Workplace Violence Survey, OTF's AgScape

Our Fall General Meeting and Banquet is 1 week away!!
Don't wait until it's too late.
Register to attend this wonderful festive meal in the Crystal Ballroom at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn,
591 Wellington Road South in London from 4:30 - 7:30 pm. 
All registrants in attendance will receive a free insulated water bottle.  Come meet other Occasional Teachers.
We're looking forward to seeing you there.
Register at www.etfotvot.com
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In a partnership with two professors from the University of Ottawa, ETFO Provincial is presenting a New Survey re Violence in Schools.

On December 4th, we will be sharing a link to a new survey that builds on ETFO's Workplace Violence Survey asking educators (teachers, occasional teachers, PSP/ESPs, DECEs) about a broad range of workplace harassment (e.g., slurs, insults, and put downs) as well as threats, attempts and acts of physical aggression. In addition to documenting educators' experiences, the goal of this new research is to unpack how vulnerability, experience, and institutional response are conditioned by intersecting factors (e.g., gender, ethnicity, dis/ability). To the best of our knowledge, this survey will be the first of its kind in North America.

The survey which focuses on the 2017-2018 school year, includes both closed and open-ended questions and will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Confidentiality and privacy will be taken very seriously. Members will be able to complete the survey without providing identifiable information and will not be asked the name of the school in which they work.

Results will be tabulated and a comprehensive report made available to ETFO early in the new year. The researchers have also indicated that they will be able to provide a "Key Local Findings" report to each ETFO Local describing research results from their area.  All participation by members would be extremely beneficial.

Members will receive a heads up today through the e-newsletter process. The survey will be available next Monday at the following link:  http://www.edviol.net , and will remain open until December 23rd at 11:59 pm.
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From OTF

As the voice of Agriculture in the classrooms of Ontario, AgScape provides factual, balanced, curriculum-linked food literacy programs and resources to Ontario's educators and students.

All AgScape classroom programs and resources are designed to reflect core values in providing factual and non-biased information to ensure a balanced presentation of facts.

Lesson plans and resources in several subject areas for Grades 1-12.

www.agscape.ca/resources

Come Celebrate: OTF's "Making Math Moments That Matter"; The Winners are...

Come Celebrate with Us 

Plans are finalizing for out Fall General Meeting and Banquet taking place at the Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road South in London, on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm.
We have a festive meal planned which includes Roast Breast of Young Ontario Turkey with a Traditional Dressing and Cranberry Sauce, and Stuffed Gigantic Pasta Shells along with Ricotta Cheese.

Don't miss out - register at www.etfotvot.com under Member Services!
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Empower your students to become resilient problem solvers in your mathematics classroom. Learn how to use a three-part framework for building easy-to-plan and fun-to-deliver lessons that kids will not only love, but also learn from, regardless of their level of readiness!

In the Making Math Moments That Matter video series, two Ontario teachers, John Orr and Kyle Pearce,  show that we can reach all students in our math classes, regardless of the range of skills in our math classrooms.

The Ontario Teachers' Federation is proud to share this free four-part video series, Making Math Moments That Matter. To watch the first video in the series, go to makemathmoments.com  and register to be notified when each new lesson is released.
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ETFOTVOT Survey Winners
Thank you to the hundreds who participated in our Local Survey.  We are pleased to announce the winners of the $100 Gift Cards:

1. Ha Yoon Kim                                                                  
2. Jessie Vinnons
3. Julie West

Congratulations and the Local will contact these OTs to arrange delivery of their gift cards.

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ETFO Provincial Bargaining Survey
Members have until 11:59 PM on  Sunday, November 25th to complete ETFO Provincial's Central Bargaining Survey.
By Friday, members should receive an email from Strategic Communications (Stratcom) with the link so please check your Inbox (or Spam folder) to ensure you have a chance to participate. If you do not hear from Stratcom and wish to participate, follow the instructions at the link:  http://www.etfocb.ca/contact-us/

One more day for chance at $100; Successful Daily Assignment cont'd; TVOT Fall General Meeting and Banquet

Local Survey Deadline
The deadline to complete the TVOT Collective Bargaining Survey and have your say is tomorrow, November 15th!  Don't miss your chance to provide your opinion AND have a chance to win one of three $100 Gift Cards. Here is the link to the CB Survey -
http://www.surveyshare.com/s/AYAMY7A
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Take a Stand for Your Rights in Ontario
If you have not yet sent a message to your MPP to protect fairer worker's rights, please do so today at http://www.myrights.ca/email_mpp






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More Tips for a Successful Daily Assignment 

What can I do to encourage appropriate behaviour?
First and foremost, be proactive. Preventing discipline problems is easier and more effective than responding to them.  When a well-planned, stimulating learning environment is created, most behaviour problems can be avoided. Student behaviour may appear to be more disorderly when an occasional teacher is in the classroom because some students may take advantage of your lack of familiarity with the rules and routines. In other words, they try to test the established limits.

How can I be proactive?

• Arrive early. (Education Act requires you be there 15 minutes before class)
• Review lesson plans.
• Gather the necessary materials (e.g., photocopy a class set of work sheets).
• Identify potential times for off-task misbehaviour such as transitions or when work is completed. Try to make transitions quickly and smoothly by planning ahead and knowing what comes next. Also, have some prepared activities appropriate for the grade and/or division. These may include puzzles, trivia and word games. When students are busy and on-task, there is a lower rate of misbehaviour. 
• Check the daybook, calendar or memos to see if there will be any alterations to the regular school day (e.g., assemblies, drills).
• Write an outline of the day's activities on the board for students to see.
• Locate a seating plan or be prepared to make one.
• Familiarize yourself with students who have special needs (e.g., behaviour plans, medications safety plan). This information should be in the daybook. If it isn't, check with the school administration or secretary.
• Review classroom rules, routines and expectations.
•  At the start of class inform the students that the regular classroom rules, routines and expectations will be followed.
• Inform students about what you need them to do rather than what they need to stop doing.
• Provide clear instructions before an activity begins, offering students an opportunity to ask questions.
• If unsure about how to approach any of the topics in the plans left for you, seek input and directions from your school administrator and the appropriate board resource consultant.

Occasional teachers who receive a plan for an assignment that includes a sexual health component may wish to seek direction from the administrator about whether the lesson should proceed or whether an alternative lesson should be delivered so that the sexual health component may be delivered by the returning classroom teacher, who may be more known to students.
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Don't put off registering to attend our Fall General Meeting and Banquet.
The setting, delicious food, festive time of year contribute to an enjoyable and informative evening where you can ask questions and learn from your Local Executive.
Registration at:  www.etfotvot.com
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Truth and Reconciliation 
A discussion booklet for the classroom (Grades 5 to 12)
OTF Interaction; Oct. 2018

The Student Voice Series is a resource to support discussions about complex societal issues using the voice of students. In this booklet, you will find student responses to questions and classroom discussions, residential school survivor statements, visuals, and key information from the reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Free online lesson plans and discussion questions on Truth and Reconciliation are available for registered imagineaction (a social justice program of the Canadian Teachers' Federation) teachers.   If you're not yet registered as an Imagineaction teacher, visit: www.imagine-action.ca and follow the instructions. It's simple and free.

Win $100 participate in Local Member Survey

     

                                           
   

Deadline is just days away!
Three members who complete the Local survey will win $100 gift cards to use as they please.
Go to this link for your chance to win!
                 



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Central Bargaining Survey

Since our Collective Agreement expires as of August 31, 2019, ETFO Provincial has contracted a research firm called Strategic Communications Inc. (Stratcom) to assist us in determining your bargaining priorities. Here are the ways you may be contacted by Stratcom to participate in the central surveying process starting next week:

• Online Survey Email - On November 5 or shortly after, members will receive an email entitled ETFO All Member 2019 Central Goal Setting Online Survey, with a personalized unique link to participate in an online central bargaining survey. Please watch for that link. The survey will be open until November 21.

• Telephone Survey - From November 7 to 21, a Stratcom interviewer will telephone a randomly selected group of ETFO members to participate in the bargaining survey over the phone. Members who have already completed the online version of the survey will not be able to participate in the phone survey. This will ensure ETFO receives input from as many members as possible.

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Still spots for Oct. 30th PD Event, Membership Survey and....

For Members only  -  Night of Craft, Care and Camaraderie
There are still spots available to attend our Night of Craft, Care and Camaraderie PD Event taking place next Tuesday, October 30th, from 4:30 - 7:30 pm at the BMO Centre, 295 Rectory Street in London.  We'll enjoy a warm meal together before breaking out to our selected workshops. Which are:
1) Self-Care as a Practice....Because You Are Worth It!
2) Crock A Doodle Paint Night!
3) Fused Glass Workshop

Please go to www.etfotvot.com to register but act quickly as we need to provide numbers for our meals by Friday, Oct. 26th.  We ask that you advise us if you cannot attend so that we may cancel your meal.
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Win One of Three $100 Gift Cards! 
Our Collective Agreement is set to expire the end of August. In preparation for this next round, our Collective Bargaining Committee would like to hear from the membership regarding your concerns. As an incentive to complete and submit the survey, the Local will draw for three $100 gift cards from those who participate. If a member wishes to be eligible for these draws, they must include their TVDSB employee number to allow the Local to identify the winners.

Here is the link to the CB Survey -
http://www.surveyshare.com/s/AYAMY7A                       Survey Closes November 15, 2018 
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It's Easy to Be in the Know:
Subscribe to Provincial ETFO's Award-winning E-Newsletter
Get all the latest news from ETFO by subscribing to this newsletter which comes right to your email account. This latest edition lets members know about:

• Three Steps to English Proficiency (STEPs) webcasts which provides Teachers with a tool to track their ELL students at the same time as they do their planning. Visit -http://etfo.ca/SupportingMembers/Resources/Pages/stepwebcasts.aspx

• Three ways for members to support the "15 and Fairness" campaign -                     http://etfo.ca/DrivingLabourAction/ETFO TakesAction/Pages/15andFairness.aspx

• How Teachers can have a say in the government consultations, now underway - https://www.buildingbetterschools.ca/consultations  

Subscribe now at - https://www.buildingbetterschools.ca/consultations

Tips for a Successful Daily Assignment: #1, ETFO 1-day workshop (Nov. 26) and OCT. 30th TVOT PD Event

Why is a positive classroom environment so important for an occasional  teacher to establish?

Students become comfortable with established routines and the familiarity of their own classroom teacher. The absence of their regular teacher can disrupt everything to which the students are accustomed. This is especially evident when the arrival of an occasional teacher is unexpected. Students need to feel welcome and comfortable in their own classroom and to have as much continuity as possible in their everyday activities.

How do I create a positive learning environment and establish a respectful relationship with the class?

Successful occasional teachers have compiled the following tips for creating a positive learning environment:

• Greet students at the door.
• Smile.
• Introduce yourself.
• Tell the students something about yourself.
• Explain why you are there.
• Allow students an opportunity to introduce themselves or each other.
• Allow students to take ownership of their classroom by asking them to explain the established rules and routines.
• Try to adhere to these rules and routines as closely as possible.
• If a temporary rule or routine is required provide the students with a reason for its need; record it on the board as a reminder.
• Treat each student with respect and dignity; it will be returned to you.
• Call each student by name (use name tags or cards).
• Be an active, attentive listener.
• Be fair and consistent.
• Maintain a confident composure.
• Encourage appropriate behaviour by acknowledging it.
• Do an icebreaker activity.

To be continued next week.
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ETFO invites 60 women members to register for a one-day workshop on November 26 that will take members through play-based activities from the First Nations, Metis and Inuit Education Resource: Engaging Learners Through Play while engaging in learning and dialogue about Indigenous worldviews, treaties, residential schools and leadership. Release time, travel, double accommodation (as required), dependent care and meals will be provided to members who are traveling from greater distances outside the GTA. There is a $25 registration fee. The deadline to apply is October 29, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. For more information or to apply, please visit the ETFO Events Management System at https://events.etfo.org/upcoming-events/ .

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Save the date for our upcoming PD Event scheduled for October 30th at the BMO Centre from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.  An email will be sent to all members with accounts on the ETFO-TVOT website advising when registration will be open and a description of the 3 workshops being offered.
To create your account if you haven't already got one, go to: www.etfotvot.com and go to
 "Create and Account".  We remind you to please use your personal email address when creating your account as it is inappropriate to use the Board's email system for Union business nor is it private.

TVDSB Trustee Elections; Advice for Members re: Fall Reporting Processes from ETFO-Provincial; It's in the Mail - Columbia Invitation

Municipal Election Day is Monday, October 22, 2018
Aside from selecting Mayors and Councillors, October 22nd is the day when voters chose those who will represent their interests as school board Trustees.  Trustees are responsible for setting the direction of the school board, allocating funds and implementing provincial policies.

The Thames Valley Union Council, comprised of CUPE 4222, CUPE 7575, ETFO Thames Valley Teachers' Local, ETFO Thames Valley Occasional Teachers' Local and the bargaining units of OSSTF District 11, met recently to review those candidates running for Trustees of the Thames Valley District School Board.
As a result of these deliberations, Union Council has agreed to ask our members to consider supporting the following Trustee candidates (two Trustees to be elected per ward):

Wards 1, 11, 12, 14:  Sheri Polhill and Amanda Stratton
Wards 2, 3, 4, 5, 6:  Leroy Osbourne and Corrinne Rahman
Wards 7, 8, 9, 10, 13: Joyce Bennett
Middlesex County: Sean Hunt and Arlene Morell
Oxford County: Bill McKinnon
Elgin County:  Peter Rochus and Bruce Smith

The term of office for a school board Trustee runs from December 1, 2018 until November 14, 2022. N.B. Regardless of your riding, election for Trustees is not by ranked ballot.
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From ETFO Provincial, Members will now be focused on completing the Progress Report for Grades 1 - 8 and the Kindergarten Communication of Learning: Initial Observations. It will be important to remind them of the areas where they may exercise the their professional judgement during the process. Feel free to review the following links:

Grades 1 to 8
http://etfo.ca/SupportingMembers/Professionals/PJdocs/PJM-PRC.pdf

Kindergarten
http://www.etfo.ca/SupportingMembers/Professionsla/PJdocs/PJM-KFC.pdf
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It's in the Mail
This year's pocket calendar is in the mail along with our Fall ETFOTVOT newsletter.   Check out all the important news for members and look for your latest invitation to the Columbia Employee Outlet Store which will welcome our members from October 12 to November 4. 
Finally, please take a few minutes to visit the link and complete our membership survey - we want to know what is important to our members and look forward to your comments and questions.
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But We Missed You ...
Thank you to all who attended our first PD for the 2018-2019 school year at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn yesterday afternoon. Once again, the venue, delicious meal and beneficial workshops offered by wonderful presenters was very well received.
Save the date for our next PD event scheduled to take place on October 30, 2018 from 4:30 - 7:30 PM at the BMO Centre, 295 Rectory Street in London.
Stay tuned for the workshops being offered and notification when registration will open on the ETFO-TVOT website.
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ETFO-TVOT PD Event Oct. 9th and Everyday Mental Health Classroom Resource

Registration is open for our first PD Event of the school year, taking place at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road south in London, on October 9th from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm.
The following 3 workshops are available to participate in. Choose one only please. :

1) More than Roadside Assistance; this workshop offers the unique opportunity to hear about the services and supports your Local provides to you.  Learn more about your rights and responsibilities as an elementary Occasional Teacher in Thames Valley. Come with any questions - Terry Card, President TVOT Local will be presenting this timely and relevant workshop. Participants will receive a copy of the Collective Agreement.

2) Flourish with French; this new and exciting workshop will debut a new curriculum resource published by Thames Valley Occasional Teachers' Local designed specifically for Occasional Teachers who are not qualified in FSL but who wish to expand and enhance their teaching opportunities by accepting short-term assignments in FSL. Participants will receive a complimentary copy of the Flourish with French resource. 



3) Your First LTO: From Surviving to Thriving! This popular workshop offers structure and direction in developing an effective program so you can survive challenges and thrive in your school community.

A lovely free dinner is included for ETFO-TVOT members.
Registration at:  www.etfotvot.com under "Member Services"
Don't forget to SAVE your Registration.
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New Online Resource From Provincial ETFO:




On the eve of Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct 1-7) ETFO is announcing the release of a free, online resource for educators called Everyday Mental Health Classroom Resource. The resource can be accessed at: smh-assist.ca/emhc  .

This resource has been co-developed by School Mental Health ASSIST and ETFO over the past two years.
It has been designed to provide K - 8 educators with evidence-based strategies to help develop the social and emotional learning skills of students in the following areas:

 - Stress Management and Coping Skills;
 - Emotion Identification Skills;
 - Positive Motivation Skills;
 - Relationship Skills;
 - Self Confidence and Identity Skills; and
 - Executive Functioning Skills.

These activities were informed by ETFO members and field tested by ETFO members. In addition ETFO members were involved in a research project to determine the efficacy of the activities.

If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Baldree at nbaldree@etfo.org.
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Strong Public Education, OCT Information, Teachers and Copyright:Fair Dealing Decision Tool

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On a biweekly basis, Human Resources facilitates a transfer of data with Ontario College of Teachers to ensure that we have the most up-to-date qualifications listed for Occasional Teachers. The data exchange includes a teacher's OCT number, date of birth and name.

If there is a mismatch of data, the records do not update. Human Resources finds that the greatest mismatch of data stems from the name field. If you have a different name with OCT than with TVDSB, your qualifications will not update within the process.

If you have a name change and to ensure that your qualifications are reflecting as you apply to assignments through Job Applications, please be sure to update your name so there is a match with OCT and TVDSB. Within Thames Valley, your name can be changed through Personal Information in the Employee Portal.
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The Fair Dealing Decision Tool helps teachers decide whether "fair dealing" permits classroom use of print materials, artistic works, or audiovisual materials without first getting copyright permission. The tool helps teachers determine whether a specific intended classroom use is allowed by the Fair Dealing Guidelines (/fdg/default.aspx).

Teachers! Thinking of using a copyright-protected work? Use this tool to find out if the use is allowed under fair dealing.

Please click on the following link for assistance:  http://www.fairdealingdecisiontool.ca/DecisionTool/

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Salary; Self-Directed Paid PD; TVARRIS calling; Pregnancy Leave; 20th Anniversary

Salary as TVOT
Just a reminder that the first pay of the year is September 28th for days worked from the 2nd to the 15th of the month.  Your pay statement will be available on the Employee Portal and note that it is shown on 2 lines. For a daily OT the first line is $226.37 and the second line adds 4% vacation pay for a daily rate of $235.42. This is pro-rated if the assignment is less than half a day, but there is nothing less than .5.
LTOs need to submit their QECO rating and proof of any previous teaching experience (prior to TVDSB) to Corissa Parker in HR to ensure accurate placement on the salary grid.
Self-Directed Paid PD
Registration to attend the Board's upcoming Paid PD sessions of the year are almost full, however, in the Conference Session Registration of the Employee Portal, there is a choice under Elementary Occasional Teacher PD (2018 - 2019) called Self Directed. This option enables on Occasional Teacher to attend, with permission from the Principal, the day or half day of professional development that is being offered to permanent Teachers at the school.
Please note that LTOs or part-time permanent Teaches who are in assignments of greater than .5 are not eligible to participate in paid PD, since they are already being paid for PD days.
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TVARRIS Calls and Comments
Sometimes the call-out systems calls to cancel an assignment so you are reminded to answer when the system calls because such a call counts as due notice so long as it is sent out with a minimum of 2 hours before the assignment.
Make sure your school selections and timetable are up to date and please block off those days when you are not interested/available to teach.  There is no penalty for "booking off" so long as you meet the 10 days of teaching required to remain on the OT Roster.
And just to be sure you don't forget a previously booked assignment, we advise you regularly review your assignments in TVARRIS.
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Pregnancy Leave
Whether you are in a long-term assignment or a long-term assignment, TVOTs are to request their leave from the Board using the form in the Employee Portal - Electronic Forms "Application for Pregnancy Parental Adoption Leave - ETFOOT".
Remember that our Collective Agreement provides in L36.11 (b) that when you return you are eligible to have your seniority adjusted based on the average number of days worked per year since your date of hire.
To find out more about the Employment Insurance aspect of such leaves you can check out ETFO Provincial's:

http://etfo.ca/supportingmembers/employees/pages/pregnancyparental.aspx

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Want to learn more about the organization 

founded to represent you 20 years ago this year? 

Check out your history:

Paid Personal Leave & Political Action / Social Justice - Equity Committee

In accordance with changes to the Employment Standards Act (ESA), TVDSB has implemented the Personal Emergency Leave (PEL) providing eligible employees with up to two (2) paid emergency leaves per calendar year.
The entitlement to a paid PEL day may apply for a Daily Occasional Teacher when a previously scheduled assignment needs to be cancelled due to an emergency/urgent situation.
Daily Occasional Teachers who have been employed for at least a week with the board can access paid PEL days for reasons such as:
 - Personal illness, injury or medical emergency; or
 - Death, illness, injury, medical emergency or urgent matter relating to the following family members:

• Spouse (married or unmarried);
• Parent, step-parent, foster-parent, child, step-child, foster child, grandparent, step-grandparent, grandchild, step-grandchild of the employee or the employee's spouse;
• Spouse of the employee's child;
• Brother or sister of the employee;
• Relative of the employee who is dependent on the employee for care or assistnace.

Paid PEL day requests must be made in "good faith" (i.e., the application needs to be made based on reasonable and potentially verifiable circumstances) and the emergency/urgent situation needs to have happened after the job was booked, not the reverse.

Daily Occasional Teachers in need of such a paid absence can find the "Personal Emergency Leave Form" in the Employee Portal under electronic forms. Once completed, these forms are to be submitted to Human Resources for approval.
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Executive member Cindy Webb has contributed the following;

Do you have a passion for building a just society? Have interest in social justice and equity issues? Love to teach and travel? Are you available for the month of July? ETFO fully sponsors 16 members to participate with Canadian Teachers' Federation on Project Overseas. Please see the link for details.

Applications are now open for members who have taught for 5 years. Application deadline October 31st.
http://www.etfo.ca/buildingajustsociety/worldissues/pages/projectoverseas.aspx
 

Welcome Back,ETFO Assessment Website, PLDF Subsidy and the Pocket Calendar

Welcome back everyone! Here's hoping everyone had a wonderful summer break and that the new school year will be a stimulating and fulfilling one in motivating and making a difference in the lives of your students.

Your President and Executive have been busy planning and are ready to represent the membership according to their mandate - don't hesitate to call on us with questions with regards to employment and collective agreement matters- we are here for you.
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Sharing in Assessment Website

The ETFO assessment website has been given a total refresh and update this spring 2018. A variety of practical new tools have been added including some specifically designed for our ETFO occasional teachers.

The website continues to reinforce our strong position on the importance of teacher professional judgement and the value of daily classroom assessment. It will help members enhance their understanding of assessment and learn new strategies proven by their peers in the classroom.

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We are very pleased to announce that the PLDF subsidy will again be available to members AND the maximum amount that will be paid out has increased to $350.  The modified application form will be updated to the ETFO TVOT website shortly.  Please read through all requirements to ensure you qualify.

For those members who have applied for PLDF subsidies at the end of the last school year. We are processing them and will be in touch shortly with payments or with requests of missing documentation.
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Once again we will be sending the ETFO Pocket Calendar for the 2018-2019 School Year. The final information is being incorporated and it is our hope to have them go out at the end of the month.  In the meantime, please take note of the following school names changes:

Port Stanley Public School has reopened as "Kettle Creek Public School" reflecting the consolidation of Port Stanley Public School with Sparta Public School, which closed June 2018.
Kettle Creek Public School is on a balanced day schedule.

Sparta Public School  has reopened as Eva Circe Cote French Immersion Public School - Elgin County's second French immersion public school.
Eva Circe Cote French Immersion Public School is on a balanced day schedule.
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Deadline is Friday!; LTO positions for September; LTOs and June 29, PD Day; OTF Summer Institutes 2018

LTOs and Daily OTs - The deadline is Friday -
All mandatory online OTE training modules in the Employee Portal must be completed by the end of the school day Friday, June 19, 2018. Noncompliance will result in your being made inactive in September.  Daily Occasional Teachers who meet this deadline will be paid a half day; LTOs will have completed many of these modules during paid time within their assignment but may need to ensure all modules are finished.
We encourage both LTOs and daily OTs to log into the Employee Portal to verify that the check marks for each module are still in place as this confirms completion of each segment.
This year you are only required to complete:

• Anaphylaxis and Asthma
• Asthma Metered Dose Inhaler
• Concussion Spotlight Part 1
• Concussion Spotlight Part 2
• September - Emergency Codes and Asbestos Awareness
• October - Fire Code Training - Staff
• November - Ladder Safety Awareness
• December - Slips, Trips and Falls
• Module 4 - Safe Schools and Employee Roles
• Module 5 - Harassment
• Module 6 - Work Refusals
• Module 7 - Management of Aggressive Behaviour
• Module 8 - Domestic Violence in the Workplace
• Module 9 - Parking Lots 

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LTOs and June 29th PD Day -
Contrary to past practice, this year TVDSB has decided not to pay some LTOs for attending the PD Day on the last day of school and in some cases, LTO contracts have been altered.
Your Union regards this as a violation of our Collective Agreement and will rile a Policy Grievance on behalf of our members in long-term assignments.  Those affected are encouraged to contact the Local by email at etfotvot@gmail.com but they should abide by the instructions given to them by their Administrators.  The Local will keep members apprised of the proceedings as the grievance process unfolds.
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LTO Positions for next September -
TVDSB postings for LTO positions that begin in September will be available the week of August 13, 2018.  Hiring will be according to seniority from those qualified applicants on the LTO List, as required by Regulation 274. There will be no interviews and placement will by central staffing which means the most senior applicant person will be called first and asked which position they want from those they applied for; number two will get second choice from the remaining positions for which they applied and are qualified, and so on.  Regulation 274 stipulates that after this process has been completed, positions which remain will be posted to the OT Roster, and interviews may be required at that point. Any unfilled positions will then be advertised externally on Apply to Education.  Please do not hesitate to contact the Local should you require clarification.
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Once again OTF, with the support of the Ministry of Education, is offering exceptional professional Learning workshops that give you time to learn, reflect on your classroom practice, and collaborate with peers. All institutes are conducted by Ontario teachers.

The workshops support the Ontario Ministry of Education's focuses on:

• activating global competencies;
• deepening equity and inclusive education practices;
• increasing assessment literacy, especially FOR and AS learning;
• leveraging information and communication technologies to support learning;
• responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action;
• supporting English language learners;
• supporting experimental learning, including, but not limited to, pathways to non-traditional occupations and vocations;
• supporting inquiry-focused and play-based teaching and learning; and
• integrating financial literacy education and learning.

The three-day institutes are offered at several locations across Ontario during July and August.

A registration fee of $50 covers workshop materials, on-site meals and two nights of accommodation at a university/college residence. Participants may also be eligible for a transportation subsidy. This $50 fee will be reimbursed upon successful completion of a workshop.

For more information or to register, go to 

https://event--wizard.com/OTFSummerInstitutes2018/0/welcome/
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Back by Popular Demand: Columbia Invitation for June 22 - July 5 -
Just a reminder to those who still wish to visit the Columbia Sportswear outlet that our online invitation is available to members who have registered on our Local website at www.etfotvot.com
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The Blog is Closed - 
On behalf of our Office Administrator Debbie and myself, it has been a pleasure serving the needs of the membership again this year. Please note however, that your Occasional Teacher Office is not  open during the summer but will open when classes resume in September.  As your President, I will continue to monitor emails sent to etfotvot@gmail.com and attend meetings as needed but recognize that as a Teacher, I too am not paid over the holidays.
Should an emergency related to your teaching duties take place, please contact Provincial ETFO at 1-888-838-3836 and they should  be able to provide you advice/support.
Good luck to those who apply to teaching positions for September.
Best wishes to everyone for a safe, pleasant and relaxing summer because next year promises to be another very busy year for Occasional Teachers in Thames Valley. 

LTOs must complete mandatory training too! Earn a few extra days of pay! LTOs and June 29th; PLDF Grant

IMPORTANT: LTOs Must Complete Mandatory Training Too!
The required online mandatory training modules are posted in the Employee Portal under the link "Employee Training". Both daily OTs and LTOs must complete these before the end of the school day on June 29, 2018. Daily OTs will receive .5 of a day of pay and LTOs will have completed most of these on Board paid time.
N.B. Check off each completed module as completed then log back in - if the check mark is still there, completion has been recognized.

Hear are this year's required modules and if they are not completed by the due date, you will be made inactive until they are done, and you will not be paid for completing them:

1. Anaphylaxis & Asthma Management Training
2. Asthma Metered Dose Inhaler Resource
3. Concussion Spotlight Part 1
4. Concussion Spotlight Part 2
5. September - Emergency Codes and Asbestos Awareness
6. October - Fire Code Training
7. November - Ladder Safety Awareness
8. December - Slips, Trips and Falls 
9. Module 4 - Safe Schools and Employee Roles
10. Module 5 - Harassment
11. Module 6 - Work Refusals
12. Module 7 - Management of Aggressive Behaviour
13. Module 8 - Domestic Violence in the Workplace
14. Module 9 - Parking Lots
    

Earn a Few Extra Days of Pay - 
Daily Occasional Teachers are entitled to three days of extra pay if they complete the paid PD offered by the Board.  (N.B., one half of these days is paid for completing the above mandatory training modules.) Only online modules remain but they can be completed anytime so long as they are done by the end of the school day on June 29th. Participation counts as time worked for E.I. purposes, seniority credit, pension credit and credit toward the 10 days required to remain on the OT Roster.  If you are a LTO of less than .5, you are eligible to complete 1.5 days and be paid. Registration is on the Employee Portal > Conference/Sessions  Registration > "Elementary Occasional Teachers PD 2017 - 2018.

LTOs on the June 29th PD Day - 
If no permanent Teacher will be attending in your place that day, it is the Union's expectation that you will participate and be paid according to your FTE.  This does not apply to Itinerant LTOs who will not be paid for the last day of school.
If you have any questions, please call our office at 519-641-3936 and we will look into these individual assignments.

Professional LEarning Development Fund 
Just a reminder to apply for your $300 PLDF grant before you take the course.  You must be registered as a member on www.etfotvot.com and been a member for one year in order to be eligible.

You're Invited! - Reference Codes for Summer EI Claims and OTs getting info on Mandatory Training

Find your Columbia Sportswear Company Employee Store Invitation at www.etfotvot.com under Member Services.
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Usually at this time of year we receive a message containing the Service Canada Reference Code to be used on summer EI benefit applications. This year, we have been advised that there is no requirement to provide a Reference Code.
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We have been made aware that some members have not received information on the mandatory training and it seems they are not following the Occasional Teachers Elementary group in Outlook.

System Staff Development did a step-by-step on how to access it and wanted to share it with you.

Not receiving group messages directly in your inbox?  If you are worried you might be missing important information and communications, which are distributed through outlook groups, you might want to follow the group so you get the messages directly in your inbox.

How do I start following an Outlook group?

Open Outlook.
On the left side of your screen are a number of folders. One says Groups. Click it.
Under Groups, click the title Occasional Teachers Elementary. This will open that group and its contents.
At the top, beside the title of the folder, it will say if you are following or not following the Group (having them come into your inbox).
To follow the group and have the emails show up in your inbox, click the down arrow next to Not Following.  Then click on "Follow in inbox"

Vote Tomorrow; The OT Shortage: The Heart & Art of Teaching & Learning and Ontario Election Update

Tomorrow is Election Day.  If you have not voted in the advance polls, you have until 9 PM tomorrow to exercise your right to vote.
Even if you did not receive a voter card, you need only bring one piece of identification with your name and current address to your voting station.
This is your right and responsibility.
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Know any Teachers looking to get onto the elementary OT Roster? TVDSB still needs elementary  Occasional Teachers and the shortage promises to continue into next school year. There is lots of work to go around and applications are still being take via Apply to Education so spread the word.
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From the June 4, 2018 ETFO eNewsletter:

BLOG FOR (BEGINNING) TEACHERS The Heart and Art of Teaching and  Learning Here are some recent posts on the ETFO Heart and Art blog: Why Ontario Teachers Need to be Political by Deborah Weston Teacher Guilt by Michelle Fenn Demystifying by Will Gourley Setting Up Successful Transition Meetings by Tammy Axt Are Artists Mathematicians Too? by Arianna Lambert

Blog In _____________________________________________________

Ontario 2018  ELECTION UPDATE

Ontario voters faced with two stark options in most ridings

With Kathleen Wynne acknowledging over the weekend that the Liberals have no chance of winning, the election has become, more than ever, a choice between Doug Ford and the PC Party and Andrea Horwath and the NDP. The collapse of the Liberal vote means there are a high number of ridings where there is a tight race between the PC and the NDP candidates.

ETFO members can make a difference by donating even an hour to a campaign.

Polls indicate PC and NDP tied for support

Overall the polls show the PCs and NDP statistically tied for voter support.

https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/onvotes/poll-tracker/

The polls don't necessarily predict who will actually vote, which means getting out to vote is the key to which party wins in the many ridings where there are tight races.

Do your part to get out to vote.  

Prov. ETFO endorses the NDP; ETFO Summer Academy, TVDSB summer PD, Eligibility for Permanent Hire,

ETFO Prov. Executive Endorses the NDP - 
After much consideration, the Provincial ETFO Executive has endorsed the party which most closely aligns with our efforts to reinvest in education, the Ontario NDPs who have promised to:

• End EQAO Testing, saving more than $33 million per school year
• End Kindergarten - Grade 1 split classes and cap kindergarten at a firm 26 children
• Review the funding formula ensuring actual needs receive funding

Make sure to vote - Advance polls are open  - 

Unsure where to vote or if you are on the voters list. Check out this government website  - 

https://t.co/cvijdhlsZZ
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ETFO's Summer Academy 2018 is here - 
Courses will fill up very quickly!

ETFO's Summer Academy online catalogue and registration is up and running. This year the program includes over 55 practical courses being delivered across the province by experienced and dynamic presenters. All courses have been planned to meet the professional needs of members.
Some additional courses have been designed this year which focus on technology and Kindergarten to support teacher knowledge and provide new strategies for engaging students in their learning. Funding has been provided by the Ministry of Education for these extra courses for this year only. A wide range of other courses are also available with a focus on the arts, literacy, mathematics, engaging the learner, well-being, special education and a variety of other learning areas.
Registration is at ETFO's Events Management System (EMS)  https://events.etfo.org/courses/summer-academy/

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Eligible for Permanent Hire?
Regulation 274 sets our a series of steps to becoming a permanent Teacher.  

1. Must be hired to OT Roster
2. If OT has taught 20 days and been on the OT Roster for 10 months, the OT can apply for the LTO List
3. After getting on the LTO List, OT must successfully complete a LTO of 4 months or longer in order to be eligible for permanent hire

This doesn't preclude those on the LTO List / OT Roster applying for positions for which they are qualified, if  positions remain unfilled after the steps above have been exhausted.
Also be aware that LTOs for the upcoming school year will be posted mid-August and are to be filled once again by central staffing according to seniority of those who apply. 

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Last Chance TVOT $50 Book Rebate
Tomorrow is the deadline to submit your Book Rebate Application for the 2017-2018 year.  Drop your documentation off in our mailbox at the ETFO-TVOT office: 521 Nottinghill Road, Suite # 8, in London, N6K 4L4.

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Note to Oxford County Retirees; PD Book Rebate Program; Newly elected Local Executive; Prep time and the daily OT

We have been asked by the Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTO/ERO) to forward the following Invitation to our members who are retiring this year:

On behalf of the retired teachers of Oxford County it is our pleasure to congratulate your members on their decision to retire.   We would like to extend a complimentary invitation to them and a guest to join us at The Bellringer Breakfast.  It is a wonderful opportunity for your retired colleagues to welcome them into this new and well-deserved life adventure.   

The Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTO/ERO) is a 75,000 plus strong organization that for 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 exceptional.  Advocacy regarding issues affecting retired seniors is another important service of the provincial organization. 

We really want to forward an invitation to them to join us on September 4 at the Community Hall in Mt. Elgin at 9:00 a.m.  It is a great opportunity to join District 37 and learn about the many benefits of membership in RTO/ERO.

Yours in retirement,

Linda Di Ianni,  President, District 37 (Oxford)

RESPOND to Sandra Stock - By email-rsstock@execulink.com

                                                 By telephone: 519 462 2643

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Time is almost up - Please remember to mail/deliver your $50 Book Rebate form along with corresponding original receipt(s) to the ETFO-TVOT office by May 31st!

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Thanks to everyone who came to our Spring General Meeting and Banquet.  
We are pleased to announce your Executive for 2018 - 2019:
Pres - Terry Card
First VP - Nancy Springer
Second VP - Vivek Nath
Treasurer - Kevin Utley
Secretary - Sarah Pye
Health and Safety Officer - David Griffith
Executives at large - Meera Jain, Farida Makhani, Sharon Pinylo, Cindy Webb

Thank you also to NDP London North Centre candidate Terence Kernaghan who showed us how the NDP education platform aligns with ETFO's campaign to Build Better Schools: smaller enforceable class sizes, more investment in Spec. Ed., a review of the outdated funding formula and an end to EQAO testing which costs taxpayers $33 million dollars each year.  

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A few comments to TVOT members about the provisions in the Collective Agreement regarding prep time in daily assignments:
- just as permanent Teachers cannot be directed how to use their prep time, neither can OTs be directed by the permanent Teachers they replace, or by the Administrator. 
- you are entitled to the same timetable as the Teacher you replace - this includes the prep time and if this is not honoured, please advise the Local Office 
- prep time has been negotiated over many rounds of bargaining.  It is paid time and you must remain at the school even if it is the last period. You might use this time to mark work from the day's assignments or to leave a note to the permanent Teacher about accomplishments and challenges of the day.

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