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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ETFO Endorses NDP - best alternative to PCs, 2017-2018 Book Rebate Deadline, Spring General Meeting and Banquet

Provincial ETFO Endorses NDP
NDP Leader Andrea Horvath spoke to ETFO Local Leaders last week and committed to reviewing the outdated funding formula that has left our schools in disrepair and special needs students, under supported.  If elected, she vowed to end EQAO testing which costs the province $33 million dollars each year - money better spent on our students.
Global News reports that the NDP is gaining ground with 35 % of voters saying they would vote NDP and only 22% committing to support the Ontario Liberals.  The latest  Ipsos Reid Poll shows Ford's Conservatives remain unchanged with 40%  support, including the riding-rich GTA, but in Southwestern Ontario, the NDP have climbed to 41% of the vote.
TVOT members are urged to vote for change that matters -  read further details at:
https://globalnews.ca/news/4208537/ontario-election-ndp-liberals-anti-ford/

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Remember to complete and submit your $50 Book Rebate  2017-2018 application forms.
Paperwork must be received at the ETFOTVOT  office by May 31st!
And if you have been a member for one year and plan to take an AQ or university course this summer, be sure to apply for our $300 Professional Learning Development Fund.  Applications must be submitted for approval in advance of the course so look for details on our Local website: www.etfotvot.com

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Spring General Banquet is Thursday
There is still time to register for our Spring General Meeting and Banquet tomorrow afternoon at the Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road South, from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM.  The beautiful meals comes at no cost to ETFO members.  This is our 20th Anniversary so learn what your Union does for you - we are here for you and it's time to celebrate our accomplishments!
Registration at:  www.etfotvot.com under Member Services.

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Need to cancel a TVARRIS booking?
Just a reminder that TVOT members cannot cancel one job to take another assignment. (Article L16.05 (c).  If you have cancelled a job, as a courtesy, please call or email the school as soon as possible to let them know.  Should your circumstance change and you become available on a day when you previously cancelled a TVARRIS job, we recommend you contact the TVARRIS co-ordinator to let her know that there has been a change and you are once again available. This gives H.R, a heads-up so that you can avert being called to a meeting for violating the Collective Agreement.

Book Rebate 2017-2018 Reminder, Spring General Meeting and ETFO AQ Courses and Calendar, OTS access to online Paid PD

Just a friendly reminder that applications for the 2017-2018 Book Rebate Subsidy deadline is approaching.  All Book Rebate Forms along with original receipts, dated within the previous 60 days, must be received at the Local office by May 31st, 2018.
The Local is very pleased that over 100 members (to date) have been able use this subsidy towards their elementary professional needs.

Also, don't forget about the Professional Learning Development Fund (PLDF) Subsidy.  Many of you have taken AQ Courses, for example, and have obtained up to $300 as a subsidy to help pay for these courses.  Congratulations to all who have successfully completed their courses this year.

Please ensure you read the requirements on the applications forms for both the Book Rebate and the PLDF subsidies.  These documents are found at: www.etfotvot.com under Member Services, Useful Forms and Documents.
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Our Spring General Meeting is taking place next Thursday, May 17th at the Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road South in London from 4:30 - 7:30 PM.  Register at: www.etfotvot.com  under Member Services.  The Registration Tab will not appear for anyone who has already registered to avoid registering for a second time. Please notify us by email (mail@etfotvot.com) or telephone (519-641-3936) if you need to cancel for any reason so another member can take your spot and we don't have to pay for meals that will not be needed.
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Speaking of PLDF; In the summer 2018 session, ETFO-AQ is offering a new online Additional Qualification course: Language, Grades 7 and 8. Online delivery of this AQ course will engage candidates in 21st century learning opportunities as it relates to the Adolescent learner. Online registration opened April 23, 2018 and closes June 20, 2018. If you have any questions, please visit the ETFO-AQ website at etfo-aq.ca and/or contact ETFO-AQ at aqcourses@etfo.org or 1-888-838-3836 extension 3803.

ETFO AQ courses continue to offer high quality professional learning. These popular courses, developed by teachers for teachers, are current, practical and provide exemplary learning for teachers. The ETFO AQ Course Calendar for the 2018-2019 year is provided to post in the school to inform teachers about course offerings for Summer 2018 through Spring 2019.
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OTS now have access to several online Paid PD options under Conference Registration in the Employee Portal.
 

Time to register for our Spring General Meeting on May 17; Mandatory Online Training Modules and WHMIS Review

Don't Miss It!
Spots are filling quickly for our upcoming Spring General Meeting and Banquet on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at the Lamplighter Inn, 591 Wellington Road South from 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM.  Mingle with your peers and learn about what has been accomplished this year at the Local level. Get your own hard copy of the Collective Agreement and perhaps win one of several Door Prizes, including MasterCard Gift Cards!

Register at www.etfotvot.com

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TVDSB has now posted the following mandatory online training modules for 2017-2018. Log into the Employee Portal, on the right under the heading Staff Development & Training, click on the link "Employee Training".  These must be completed on or before June 29, 2018. Be sure you electronically confirm completion of each module.

The required training modules this year are:

Anaphylaxis & Asthma Management Training video

Asthma Metered Dose Inhaler Resource video

Concussion Spotlight Part 1 (All Employees)

Concussion Spotlight Part 2 (in addition to Part 1)

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

To use compatibility mode from Internet Explorer 11, click on GEAR icon on the upper right then select "Compatibility View Settings"

This will bring up a screen that says "Add this website" with tvdsb.on.ca in it. Click Add. Then click Close...

     

When running training presentation videos, there may be a box below the presentation asking permission to run on add-on if needed. Click Allow, and the page will refresh.

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The annual WHMIS Review / Offence Declaration / IT Security pages are not posted in the Employee Portal.  While you logged into the Portal doing your modules, look to the left of the page and follow the steps.  You are able to print all of your results at the end of the page.  To review your completion details, log out of the Portal.  When you log back in, click on the link and print the page for your records.