ETFO Town Hall; Free online Mental Health Resources; New TVDSB Homepage for OTs; Leadership and PD Opportunties from Provincial ETFO; Closing Ceremonies

NOTICE - March 2, 2023: All ETFO Teachers and Occasional Teachers in TVDSB are invited to participate on Thursday, March 2/23 from 8-9 pm, in an ETFO Telephone Town Hall for an update and opportunity to address questions related to central bargaining. 

A few minutes before the meeting, members will receive a phone call from Provincial ETFO (416-800-9227), inviting them to join the Town Hall so please ensure that your main telephone number on file with ETFO Provincial is accurate. 

To update this information, contact ETFO Member Records at memberrecords@etfo.org no later than 1 pm, Friday February, 24/23. 

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 Access free online mental health resources

As a part of Ontario's Education Community, you have access to  FeelingBetterNow, an e-mental health platform for assessment and treatment. 

This platform uses evidence-based e-mental health technologies to help you improve your mental health, allowing you to confidentially identify mental health issues early and take immediate action.

Learn more by watching this FeelingBetterNow informational video and sign up for your confidential and anonymous account at https://www.feelingbetternow.com/otip. 

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NEW: TVDSB's Occasional Teacher Home Page

To access the Board's new Occasional Teacher home page, first log into your TVDSB "Outlook" account. 

Next, click on the Microsoft waffle icon at the top left corner and select "SharePoint". Once there, use the search feature at the top to look for "Occasional Teachers". This will bring you to the new site which centralizes pertinent links and information for OTs. 

For example,  in "Board Information", members can find a map of the TVDSB region.  Did you know that most Occasional Teachers live in London and many are not aware of how many schools are just a few kilometres outside of town?  We encourage members to give these a try  - rural schools are often undiscovered gems.

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ETFO Provincial's Violence Survey

If you did not receive a link to this survey, please email Member Records at memberrecords@etfo.org (include your ETFO membership ID number if possible.)

ETFO Provincial PD and Leadership Opportunities - 

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ETFO Provincial has 2 New Podcasts -  (available on most podcast apps)

- The first new podcast features an ETFO member who strives to reduce violent student behaviour, and a professor at the University of Ottawa who studies workplace violence against Teachers and education workers.

- The second new podcast features a panel discussion recorded at the recent symposium: "Generation Black! You're Next" 

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Go to https://lbhcc.ca/events for more information about this event and the African Food Festival being held that same day, sponsored by the London Black History Coordinating Committee.

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February 22, 2023 is Pink Shirt Day reminding everyone of their duty to take a stand against bullying!

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February 22, 2023 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day - in Canada, 68% of all such cases take place in Ontario!

Apology; Extension Retention Stipend; TVOT Community Outreach; Did You Know? Upcoming ETFO Provincial PD Opportunities

 

We have heard that many members did not receive our last Wednesday Blog. 

This is a matter the Local is addressing with our provider so that members can reliably receive emergent news.

In the interim, please know that TVOT members can always access the Local's Wednesday Blog at www.tvotblog.blogspot.com.

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$1000 Retention Stipend 

Daily TVOT members now have until March 31, 2023 to earn up to $1000 by teaching 35 assignments between Oct. 20/22 and March 31/23 with a minimum of 2 days worked per month; teaching 10 or more daily assignments on a Friday or a Monday during that same time period; teaching 10 or more assignments in a high needs school:

A.J. Baker	Oxbow
Adelaide - W.G. MacDonald	Parkhill - West Williams
Aldborough	Parkview
Annandale	Plattsville
Blenheim District	Port Burwell
Caradoc	Port Stanely
Caradoc North	River Heights
Centennial Central	South Dorchester
Davenport	South Ridge
Delaware Central	Southwold
Dunwich-Dutton	Sparta
East Williams Memorial	Springfield
Ekcoe Central	Straffordville
Emily Stowe	Summers' Corners
Hickson Central	Tavistock
Innerkip Central	Thamesford
Kettle Creek	Valleyview Central
Mary Wright	West Elgin Sr.
McGillivray Central	West Nissouri
McGregor	Westfield
Mosa Central	Westminster Central
New Sarum	Wilberforce
Northdale Central	Zorra Highland Park

Expand your horizons and try a new school, many of which are just a few minutes away!

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- An OT who replaces the same Teacher in the same assignment for a period of 10 or more consecutive days (or consecutive appearances if it's a fractional FTE), becomes a LTO on the 10th day and will be paid retroactive to the first day of the assignment at grid rate, so long as they have submitted a QECO rating and proof of any previous post-certification teaching experience outside of TVDSB. This includes any daily OT work in Ontario. Please note that this pay increase might not appear on the next pay if the 10 day threshold was not reached in time for TVDSB's payroll cut-off date.

- To apply for your Edvantage discounts, you will need your ETFO Provincial number. Contact the Member Records at trecords@etfo.org if you don't know your number.

- ETFO stewards represent the permanent Teachers at a site. TVOT members are a separate union and are represented by the TVOT office at etfotvot@gmail.com or 519-641-3936. Calls are confidential so never hesitate to contact us with your concerns.

- TVOT members have only 3 more months to apply for their $60 Resource Rebates.

TVOT Community Outreach

To date, your TVOT Local has donated:

- $2,500 Red Cross/Red Crescent Turkey and Syria Earthquake Appeal

- $6,000 London and Area Food Bank

- $2,500 Salvation Army Woodstock Food Bank (not part of the London Area Food Bank)

- $5,000 Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre (serves all TVDSB)

- $2,000 Red Cross Pakistani Flood Relief

- $1,000 Red Cross Hurricane Fiona Relief

- $1,000 Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal

- $1,000 Atlohsa Youth Support Program

- $1,000 N'Amerind Family Support Program

- $1,000 Aeolian Hall El Sistema Music Program

    Lingo For Educators

AAR - Attendance Area Review: procedure where the school board studies and plans for student accommodation 

AEFO - Association des Enseignants et des Enseignantes Franco-Ontariens: union representing education workers in Ontario's french language public education system

AQ - Additional Qualifications: courses offered to Teachers to upgrade skills and salary 

CA - Collective Agreement: negotiated terms and conditions of employment

CAS - Children's Aid Society

CBC - Collective Bargaining Committee: those elected by Local members to negotiate on their behalf

CLC - Canadian Labour Congress

CPI - Consumer Price Index

CPP - Canada Pension Plan

CPRI - Child and Parent Research Institute: provincial facility in London for children with special needs

CTF - Canadian Teachers' Federation

CUPE - Canadian Union of Public Employees

EA - Educational Assistant

ECE- Early Childhood Educator

ELHT - Employee Life and Health Trust: ETFO's benefit plan for eligible LTOs

ELL - English Language Learner

ESA - Employment Standards Act: Teachers are exempt from many of these provisions

ETFO - Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario: every board has at least a permanent Teachers' Local and an OT Local

FI - French Immersion

FNMI - First Nations, Metis, Inuit

FSL - French as a Second Language

FTE - Full time equivalent

IPRC - Identification Placement and Review Committee

JHSC - Joint Health and Safety Committee

LST - Learning Support Teacher

LTO - Long-term Occasional Teacher

NTIP - New Teachers' Induction Program: LTOs may participate to a limited degree

OCT - Ontario College of Teachers: regulatory body Teachers

OECTA - Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association 

OFL - Ontario Federation of Labour

OHSA - Occupational Health and Safety Act 

OLRB - Ontario Labour Relations Board

OMERS - Ontario Municipal Employees' Retirement System

OPC - Ontario Principals' Council

OPSBA - Ontario Public School Boards' Association

OSR - Ontario Student Record

OSSTF - Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation

OT - Occasional Teacher

OTIP/RAEO - Ontario Teachers' Insurance Plan: manages 

OTPP - Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (also known as TPP or "Teachers")

QECO - Qualifications Evaluation Council of Ontario: they evaluate credentials for salary grid placement

ROE - Record of Employment

RTO - Retired Teachers of Ontario

SEB - Supplementy Employment Benefits

STLDP - Short-term Leave Disability Plan

TLA - Temporary Letter of Approval

TPA - Teacher Performance Appraisal: LTOs are exempt from this part of NTIP

TVARRIS - Thames Valley Absence Reporting and Replacement Information System

WHMIS - Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

WSIB - Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

TFSA or RRSP: an education member’s guide to making the right choice

One of the most frequently asked financial questions out there is whether to invest in a tax-free savings account (TFSA) or a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP). While TFSAs and RRSPs both offer tax advantages that can help you achieve your saving and investing goals, which is right for you?

To help you decide, check out this education member’s guide to making the right choice: http://bit.ly/3WG9tgc. Brought to you by Educators Financial Group.

Happy Pancake Day, Tues., Feb. 21/23

Visit https://lbhcc.ca/events for more upcoming celebrations of black history.

ETFO Provincial Violence in Schools Survey; Staying in the Loop? Earthquake Assistance; TVOT Reflections of Black London; TVOT Local PD Committee

 

Yes, your experiences count. Add your voice!

This is an opportunity for members to share their experiences with violence at school.

Complete ETFO’s Violence Survey and encourage your colleagues. The survey is open from February 8 to March 8, 2023. 

Check your email on or around February 8 for the survey link – if you do not receive the link (check your "Social", "Promotional", "Spam" or "Junk" folders) or if you have questions, contact ETFOviolencesurvey@etfo.org

Missing Out on Important Information?

Provincial ETFO: To update your contact information with the provincial office, email  ETFO member records / memberrecords@etfo.org

TVOT Local: Register on our  TVOT Local Website / www.etfotvot.com 

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The ETFO Thames Valley Occasional Teachers' Local Executive has voted to donate $2,500 to assist with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Turkey and Syria Earthquake Appeal.

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TVDSB has brought to our attention, that certain TVOT members have attempted to circumvent TVARRIS by calling schools directly each morning to see if there are available jobs. This is not acceptable and schools have lodged a complaint with Human Resource Services about the practice.  There is an acknowledged Occasional Teacher shortage, so please make sure your availability in the TVARRIS system is kept accurate. There is more than enough work for all of our members so please let us know if you are having any dificulties in this regard. You can contact our office at 519-641-3936 or by email at etfotvot@gmail.com .

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February 11 - Family Program - FREE

10 AM to 1 PM 

London Public  Central Library, 251 Dundas Street 

- A celebration of black history and culture through stories, music, art and live performances

February 11 - Meet the Artist with Taffy Maposa - FREE

2:30 PM to 3:30 PM

London Public  Central Library, 251 Dundas Street 

- Learn about local artists and the mediums in which they work. Taffy Maposa talks about her current practice in collage making, her practice and her artistic influences. Art Exhibit in the third floor.

For more information visit the The London Black History Coordinating Committee .

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The TVOT PD Committee will be meeting later this month so if you are interested, please call us at 519-641-3936 or email us at etfotvot@gmail.com .

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Battery care: Avoid the hazards!

Rechargeable batteries are perishable, slowly fading from the day they are manufactured. No need to worry, though; there are ways to charge and store your batteries properly. Here’s what you need to know.

Read more at www.otip.com/article159.

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Filling in for Absent EAs/ECEs; Lots of Provincial ETFO Workshop Opportunities;

Being asked to fill in for EAs/ECEs?

Occasional Teachers and Itinerant LTOs are hired to replace absent Teachers. Sometimes however when an EA or ECE is absent, a TVOT member may be asked to help out. Please note that TVOT members may help out as an additional Teacher in that classroom, however we don't take on the duties of another bargaining unit, nor are we trained for the responsibilities of an EA or ECE. 

TVOT members are urged to contact the TVOT Office or by phone at 519-641-3936 for further clarification.

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Provincial ETFO is hosting a full day workshop on Saturday, March 4, 2023 for those interested in learning about community organizing. Topics will include: What makes our organizing effective and sustainable, what can we learn from others and how can we be effective allies? 

Click here to register.

Registration closes February 2, 2023.

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World Read Aloud Day is February 1, 2023

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#BlackGirlMagic

The 2023 ETFO Black History Month poster is a visual representation of the beauty that lies within Black features: specifically, hair, nose, and lips, that have been historically criminalized and degraded by white beauty standards. The sisterhood and solidarity on display speaks to the relationships and mentoring that are crucial in the Black community and can be more widespread in classrooms with more Black educators.

 

Our two subjects are a living representation of Black girl magic, the ability for Black love and joy to be found and celebrated in a world that often does not love them back.

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On a lighter note, February 2nd is Groundhog Day

If there is a shadow = 6 weeks more of winter; 

No shadow = spring will arrive early this year.

Don't hesitate to contact your TVOT Local. Calls are confidential - we know your Collective Agreement and it is up to all of us to protect it.

By phone: 519-641-3936

By Email: etfotvot@gmail.com

Register at: www.etfotvot.com for emergent news and access to resource rebates and PD funds.