Understandably, TVOT members have been anxious about returning to school sites this week.
As we reported last post, the Board assures those OTs in daily assignments who opt to use a non-fitted N95 mask, that these will be made available at school sites, one mask per member per day. Please take a few minutes to review the video on how to use N95 masks, posted in the TVDSB Employee Portal under "Employee Training" where it is listed near the end. Medical masks will still be provided for those who prefer them.
LTOs who fail the screening process because they are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, are to enter their absence as "Quarantine" which is paid time without deduction of sick days. Once free of symptoms and able to pass the screening process, you are to return to teaching. Please contact us at the TVOT Local Office or by phone at 519-641-3936 with any questions.
Unfortunately, the Local is still awaiting information on how Rapid Antigen Test kits will be made available to our daily members. (LTOs will have access at their schools.) Be assured that the Board is aware of how important these are to our OTs who have an increased risk of exposure with each class/cohort.
Finally, we draw attention to the services provided by the Board's Employee Assistance Program/EAP. To check out these confidential supports, log into "View My Employee Assistance Program" in the TVDSB Employee Portal. Members may also consider participating on one of the sessions being offered by Homewood Health, highlighted later in this post.
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As you are aware, there are not enough elementary Occasional Teachers in our Board to cover all permanent Teacher absences, a situation worsened by the complications of the pandemic.
The TVOT Collective Agreement provides that an Occasional Teacher who accepts a non-classroom assignment can be reassigned to fill any in-person classroom vacancy (Article L16.07 b). This does not apply however, to OTs who have accepted a classroom assignment. If an OT accepts a classroom assignment, then the expectation remains that the school follow our "Job Integrity" clause and the OT teaches in that assignment and follows the timetable of the permanent Teacher they are replacing. (Article L16.07 a) This includes following the Teacher's supervision schedule and prep periods. If this does not happen, we ask that you notify the Local either by calling us at 519-641-3936 or by emailing us at etfotvot@gmail.com so that we can track infractions and address these with Human Resources.
For the sake of continuity, TVOT members are reminded that at the end of the assignment, they should try to leave behind comments that include " progress of lessons taught, problems encountered and where appropriate, successes achieved and marks for work completed by students within the occasional assignment." (Article L18.01)
Please note that the System Staff Development team will be posting a link to K-8 Week-at-a-Glance activities for daily Occasional Teachers who need lesson plans for short-term virtual learning so check Outlook later this day for details and instructions regarding these supports which will be in place January 24/22.
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LATER THIS WEEK...
Your TVOT Local is pleased to announce that we are transitioning to a new website later this week. Members will receive a blast email when all is in place so please be ready to register with us for what we hope will enable us to provide you with even better service -
All TVDSB Occasional Teachers have free access to well-being workshops and support groups offered by the Board's Employee Assistance Provider, Homewood Health, each Wednesday via TEAMS from 3:45 - 4:45 PM.
Groups will focus on:
- Mindfulness and Mitigating the Response of Stress (Jan. 19/22)
- Covid-19 & Your Mental Health (Feb. 2/22)
- Anxiety, Depression and Covid-19 (Feb. 16/22)
- Calming Your Mind (Mar. 2/22)
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