New Mathematics Curriculum; Exposed to Covid-19 at School? ETFO Covid-19 FAQ #17; LTO Terminations for some; LTO Evaluations and Regulation 274; Brightspace Training

New Mathematics Curriculum - 
Members should be aware that this new curriculum is only available online - New Math Curriculum . Here is where members can access Videos and resources and for additional information, check your latest e-newsletter from Provincial.

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Exposed to Covid-19 at School? 

Members who have been exposed to Covid-19 at work but who have no symptoms, should submit a  WSIB Exposure Form .

Daily and LTO members who contract Covid-19 because of exposure at work should complete the TVDSB Accident Incident Report and submit it as soon as possible, noting if they have received a positive Covid-19 test result, that medical attention has been sought and that time has been lost from work. Keep a copy for your personal records.  NB. ensure the doctor is aware that this was contracted in the workplace. The doctor will complete their report, WSIB Form 8, and give the member a page to submit to the Board.

Members will also need to file a Worker's Report on WSIB Form 6 and submit a copy of this to the Board. Keep a copy of this for your personal records. Claimants will be contacted by a  WSIB Eligibility Adjudicator however WSIB decisions on claims can take up to one month.

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Just a reminder to register for ETFO Provincial's e-newsletters. COVID-19 FAQ#17 deals with issues such as exposure to Covid-19 at work, facts on hand sanitizers, information on progress reports, kindergarten observations and as mentioned earlier, the revised 2020 Mathematics curriculum.

Subscribe to receive these at www.etfo.ca

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LTO Terminations for some -

As you have likely heard, a thousand additional TVDSB students will be moving to full remote learning. This means that many permanent Teachers will again be moved as classes are re-organized. Some of these permanent Teachers will be switching over to remote learning classrooms that are currently being taught by Long-Term Occasional Teachers. As these are permanent teaching positions and an OT's job is to replace absent Teachers, the Board is within its rights. The Board has assured us that LTOs in these situations will be given two weeks notice of the end of their assignment, as provided by the Collective Agreement.

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LTO Evaluations and Regulation 274

Since Regulation 274 that set out the teaching hiring process is being revoked, it is no longer necessary for those in LTO assignments to be evaluated in order to be hired to a permanent teaching position. What will replace Regulation 274 is still under discussion, but Boards have been given until the end of December to replace that process and your Local will be in contact with the Board throughout that development.

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 TVOT offering Brightspace Drop-in

Have questions about using Brightspace? Are you in a full remote learning/FRL LTO assignment and need some assistance with the technology? Are you a daily OT who hesitates to take FRL assignments because you lack confidence using Brightspace?

Your TVOT Local is hosting a Brightspace drop-in meeting via Zoom, next Wednesday, Nov. 4th from 4:30pm - 6:30 pm. This is a drop in meeting so join when you can. Note: this session will focus on the technical use of Brightspace only. The meeting link will be sent prior to the meeting but just to those who register in advance. 

The Local is in the process of transitioning to a new website so, this one time, we ask members to notify us by email at mail@etfotvot.com if you are interested in attending.

Regulation 274 to be Revoked; Credit for Previous Teaching Experience; Prep pay back assignments; Multiple Classrooms in a Day?

 

Regulation 274 to be Revoked

Rather than focus on the safety of students and staff in schools, the Minister of Education has tried to deflect attention by revoking the law that ensured fair hiring practices by setting out the path to permanent employment - Reg. 274.

It has always been the Union's position that the Board should hire those Occasional Teachers that they know through the work they have done in TVDSB. Teachers should be hired based on their experience and qualifications. Regulation 274 removed any bias based on discrimination and was effective in promoting equity in hiring.

In light of this new announcement, OT Locals will be in discussions with their individual boards to develop new practices and protocols. The Thames Valley OT Collective Agreement has language previously negotiated with regards to posting and hiring - this will be the basis for our upcoming discussions. New hiring protocols are to be established by the end of December/20.

If you want to add your voice to those who are speaking out against this attack on fair hiring practices and why revoking this will not improve equity in hiring, we urge you to see https://www.etfo.ca/DefendingWorkingConditions/ETFOTakesAction/Pages/fairhiring.aspx

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NEW: Credit for Previous Teaching Experience

As of September of this school year, under the terms of our new Collective Agreement an Occasional Teacher who did daily OT work with another Ontario school board, can submit that to TVDSB for credit on the grid when they are in a LTO assignment. Credit will not be granted retroactively, but if you teach for more than one school Board or worked at another before coming to Thames Valley, this new provision may increase your long-term occasional salary.

As well, don't forget that QECO does not submit the ratings directly to school boards, so be sure you send yours to HR once you receive it. Please note that there is a delay in processing documents at QECO since they too are generally working remotely. 

N.B: Members only have until July 31st to submit documentation that will increase their grid rate salary for assignments completed during the school year.

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NEW: Prep periods for Prep Payback Assignments

Under the terms of the new Collective Agreement, an Occasional Teacher who is hired for a full day assignment to provide missed prep time, will have the first 40 minutes of that assignment free to prepare for these lessons.  OTs may wish to check with the Teachers they will be replacing to see what is going on in each class so that this is meaningful time for all.

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Multiple Classrooms in a Day?

As schools experience incidents of Covid-19, it has become apparent that daily Occasional Teachers need to record the rooms that they visit during the course of their assignment. 

That way, should there be an outbreak at a school you have visited, you will know if you have been exposed and need to self-isolate or quarantine.

And unlike this fellow, don't let down your guard. Follow the Covid-19 protocols and wear your mask at all times. If you are in a situation where you cannot maintain safe distancing (such as a kindergarten setting), then wear a face shield, available upon request at the school office. This mask will remain with you and it will be your responsibility to ensure it is clean before you need it at your next site.

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On behalf of your TVOT Local Executive to all those who are joining us tonight at our first virtual Fall General Meeting! 

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New Covid-19 Federal Benefits; Face Shields for Occasional Teachers; Columbia Outlet Store Invitation; Provincial ETFO Workshops; Local Fall Meeting

New Covid-19 Federal Benefits

Members may not be aware that the federal government now has several new benefit programs for those who are affected by the pandemic: 

1) Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit/CRSB: provides income support to those who are unable to work because they are sick or isolating due to Covid-19 or who are unable to work because they are at greater risk of contracting the disease because of an underlying medical condition. This plan provides up to 2 weeks of coverage that can be used up to September 21, 2021. Here is the link for further information - https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-sickness-benefit.html

2) Canada Recovery Benefit/CRB: provides income support to those directly affected by Covid-19 who are not eligible for Employment Insurance/EI.  For these details go to - https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-benefit.html

3) Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit/CRCB: provides income support to those who are unable to work because they must care for a child under 12 years of age or a family member who needs supervised care. You can find out more at - https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-caregiving-benefit.html

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Face Shields are Recommended

Whenever safe distancing cannot be maintained, the Health Unit and TVDSB Covid-19 protocols recommend that Teachers/OTs wear face shields as well as their masks.  This is especially important in kindergarten classes where children often encroach on your personal space.

TVDSB has purchased face shields for Occasional Teachers - you can request one when you check into a school and one will be provided. These are not single use - at the end of the assignment, the OT will be responsible for cleaning the face shield so that they can use it at their next site. 

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ETFO Provincial Workshops 

Did you know that Occasional Teachers are eligible to register for conferences and workshops offered by ETFO Provincial? For instance, here are some of those upcoming opportunities:

Identity in Time of Crisis - a racialized members' virtual conference with Part 1 being held Saturday, Nov. 7 and Part 2 on Saturday, Nov. 28/20: 

https://www.etfo.ca/AboutETFO/Calendar/Lists/ETFO%20Calendar2/DispForm.aspx?ID=4782&InitialTabID=Ribbon.Read

An Ounce of Prevention - Knowing your rights and responsibilities is a one day conference to be held on Saturday, Nov. 21/20 for members who want to know more about professional boundaries, developing a positive relationship with parents and using social media:

https://www.etfo.ca/AboutETFO/Calendar/Lists/ETFO%20Calendar2/DispForm.aspx?ID=4784&InitialTabID=Ribbon.Read

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It's next week!

TVOT Local Fall General Meeting

Wednesday, October 21, 2020 

Via Zoom 

(desktop, laptop, cellphone, tablet - no microphone or camera necessary)

4:30pm - 7:00pm

Register at www.etfotvot.com - the meeting link will be emailed to registrants in advance

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Roster Applicants for LTOs; Keys for OTs; Nominations Have Closed; ETFO Provincial Covid Update #16

OT Roster Applicants for LTOs -  

Although hiring for LTO positions must follow the process legislated under Regulation 274, the Local encourages those on the OT Roster to apply for any posted position for which they are qualified and interested in teaching as the LTO List is soon depleted allowing Roster candidates an excellent chance of securing a long-term assignment. Please note that the Board does not have to consider seniority when hiring from Roster applicants. 

Long-term positions are posted throughout the course of the school year.  Most postings are up for 5 days, however in certain circumstances, the Local will agree to a 3 day posting so we urge members to get used to checking back throughout the week. 

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Keys for Occasional Teachers -

We remind TVOT members that as a Teacher, you are responsible for the safety of the children in your care. To that end, every Occasional Teacher needs to have access to the classroom keys so that they can lock their door when an emergency code has been called. The Local has heard reports that some schools feel they cannot share these keys because of concerns about sanitation. This is not acceptable. Keys can be sanitized and are essential.  Access to classroom keys was negotiated between ETFO Provincial and the Provincial government in 2015 so please do not hesitate to ask for keys when you check in at the school office and if you are not provided with them, please notify us at the TVOT Office 519-641-3936. We will take the matter to HR for resolution with reference to the name of the school but not to the name of the Occasional Teacher.

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TVOT Executive for 2020 - 2021 -

Nominations for the TVOT Executive have closed and we are pleased to report that the following members will be acclaimed to the Local Executive 2020-2021 at our Fall General Meeting on October 21st:

• Terry Card, President (two year term to end June 30, 2022)
• Nancy Springer, First Vice-President
• Vivek Nath, Second Vice-President
• Kevin Utley, Treasurer
• Sharon Pinylo, Secretary
• David Griffith, Health and Safety Officer
• Chief Negotiator, Terry Card
• Collective Bargaining Committee (alphabetically): Farida Makhani, Vivek Nath, Sharon Pinylo, Nancy Springer, Kevin Utley

Elections will be held on October 21st via Zoom, to fill four Executive at large positions. 

Listed inn alphabetical order, the candidates are:

• Sean Cousins
• Meera Jain
• Farida Makhani
• Krisanne Nunes
• Vandana Sharma
• Cindy Webb

It is very unfortunate that we won't be able to meet you in person that day, but we urge you to join your peers for a virtual meeting. Zoom is accessible by computer, cell phone or any device with an internet connection. No camera or microphone will be necessary for participants as we will accept questions from members typing in the "Chat" feature. 

Registration at www.etfotvot.com is necessary at this membership meeting is restricted to TVOT members per our Local Constitution. 

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ETFO Provincial's Covid-19 Update  #16 -

Hopefully members have registered to receive these regular updates from the ETFO Provincial Office. 

This latest e-edition contains timely information on PPE, the requirement to isolate, when to file a WSIB claim because of exposure, remote learning assignments, report cards etc. 

Register at www.etfo.ca if you are not yet on their mailing list - you need to know!

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