Interested in getting onto the LTO List? Privatization Alert! ETFO Violence in our Schools Survey; Iranian Teacher advocate back in Jail

LTO List Interviews

All Occasional Teachers interested in getting onto the LTO List, need to apply for an interview via the TVDSB Employee Portal during the month of February.  Regulation 274 stipulates that OTs must have taught with the Board for ten months (and at least 20 days), so only those hired on or before February 1st, 2017 are eligible.  

Please note that the interview process is the only route to the LTO List so those Occasional Teachers currently teaching in LTO positions still need to apply.

Click on the Elem LTO List (new) and be sure to hit the "Submit" button.  It is advised that you print off a screen shot after you have submitted since HR does not send our confirmations. 

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Privatization Alert!

The recent bankruptcy of "Carillion", the multi-national corportaion given the contract to maintain Ontario highways (formerly kept up by public sector workers), is just the latest example of the true costs of privatization.

Join OPSEU President Smokey Thomas, Peggy Sattler MPP, Ken Lewenza and others for a discussion on privatization and how to stop its erosion of our jobs and our communities.
The meeting will be held Thursday, February 1st from 7 - 9 pm at the Wolfe Performance Hall of the London Public Library, 251 Dundas Street.  Stand up for public services. 
Register at https://www.weownit.ca/london_privatization_panel?utm_campaign=london_panel&utm_medium=email&utm_source=weownit

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ETFO Violence in our Schools Survey

The recently released results of ETFO's all member survey conducted by Stratcom, show no surprises - the number and severity of violent incidents in our schools is increasing. Violence negatively impacts our teaching and classroom management, causes mental strain and injury of our members.  Three-quarters of us feel that actions taken by schools are ineffective in preventing recurrences.  These issues must be addressed by the Provincial Government and ministries and the funding of special education must reflect the needs of the system.  For more information about the current funding shortfall, check out http://www.etfo.ca/AboutETFO/Publications/PositionPapers/PositionPapersDocuments/Shortchanging%20Ontario%20Students%20-%20An%20overview%20and%20assessment%20of%20education%20funding%20in%20Ontario.pdf


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Ailing Iranian Teacher Union Leader Esmail Abdi has been sent back to jail for his union activism and his campaign for teachers rights and free public education.  He has committed no crime. 
Please join other Teachers from around the world and take time to petition for his release at 
https://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=3688

ETFO Survey results on Violence in our Schools; OTF Connects 2018; Validation Stickers

The November Survey results on Violence in our Schools have been compiled:

- 70% of ETFO members report having personally experienced or witnessing violence in our schools

- more than a third of ETFO members report suffering mental stress, physical injury or illness from violent school incidents

- 80% of our members report this is having a negative impact on their teaching and classroom management practices

- an entire generation is having their learning disrupted on a consistent basis with violence becoming normalized in the classroom

President Sam Hammond says, "Our members report that the number and severity of violent incidents is increasing and front line supports are lacking for students with high risk behaviours."

Thank you to the hundreds of TVOT members who responded. With these facts in hand, it is now time to hold the government and school boards accountable.

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Overcome the January Blues with OTF Connects! Check out the #OTFConnects 2018 Winter Program. Check out their full catalogue of rich professional learning opportunities at https://www.otffeo.on.ca/en/learning/otf-connects/

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ETFO ID Card/Edvantage 2018 validation stickers were mailed to members with their recent "Voice" magazine. Members who lost theirs may contact our office for a replacement.
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Phys. Ed and Brain Breaks !!! Upcoming TVOT - PD Event and OTF Webinar Opportunities

Join us for a nice hot dinner and an early evening of PD on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at the BMO Centre, 295 Rectory Street in London from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm.  Our January PD traditionally centers around physical activity and well-being.  Workshops this year include:

1) Brain Breaks in the Mindful Classroom,
2) Simple Can Be Fun!  Daily Physical Activity and Physical Education Strategies for the Occasional Teacher  (On the soccer field, bring your running shoes),
3) Physical Education for All:  Engagement and skill Development for all your Students.

There are still spots available in each workshop.

Please go to www.etfotvot.com for further descriptions and registration

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Start the new year off with OTF Connects from the Ontario Teachers' Federation! The 2018 Winter Program is full of rich professional learning opportunities on topics such as Media Literacy, Kindergarten Learning, Using Digital Tools. Register now for these worthwhile FREE evening courses - http://ow.ly/2dQ330hlg35

Tim Hortons Petition for $15 for Fairness; Upcoming TVOT Health and Wellness PD Event at the BMO Centre;

Welcome back and Happy 2018 to all!  

Tim Hortons and the $15 for Fairness Campaign:
To Protest Tim Horton's franchises that are penalizing their workers for the new minimum wage increase, please consider the following -

1. Sign the petition. Once you've signed it, ask 3 of your friends to do the same.

2. Join an emergency action happening near you today! (Wednesday). In over 15 communities across Ontario, we will organize joint actions together with the Fight for $15 and Fairness (see media advisory) in support of Tim Hortons workers. Scroll down for details about the leaflet.

3. Spread the word. If you or someone you know has a problem at work or is dealing with a bad boss, they can call 1-855-531-0778. This is a toll-free, province-wide hotline operated by the Workers' Action Centre.

You can support a $15 and Fairness Petition protesting some Tim Hortons franchises for cutting workers' benefits in response to the increase in minimum wage through this link:

http://www.15andfairness.org/timhortonsworkers?sp_ref=376367392.392.185250.t.0.2#newmode-embed-2498-2514
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BMO Centre PD Event
What better time to present and participate in our upcoming Professional Development event being held on Thursday, January 25th, 2018 at the BMO Centre, 295 Rectory Street in London from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM.  Dinner included for all ETFO-TVOT Members.

Workshop topics to choose from are:

- Brain Breaks in the Mindful Classroom
- Simple Can Be Fun! Daily Physical Activity and Physical Education Strategies for the     Occasional Teacher
- Physical Education for All: Engagement and Skill Development for all your Students

Further details about each workshop and registration can be found at www.etfotvot.com

Your ETFO Thames Valley OT Local is proud to be a supporter of this valued non-profit community facility and we congratulate Tom Partalas on being named to the Mayor's New Year's Honour List. 
https://www.london.ca/city-hall/mayors-office/Pages/Honour-List-Sports.aspx

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Please never hesitate to contact us at the OT Local Office 519-641-3936 with any of your questions or concerns.  We have your back!