PD days and LTOs,:Reflection Forms; Bereavement or Compassionate Leave; Absent EAs; TVOT Fall Gen Mtg; Cuts to school funding

 

Q. If I am in an assignment that is evolving to LTO status, does a PD re-start the count to 10 days?

A. No it does not because Article L20.02 provides that a PD day does not interrupt the count / continuity towards a LTO.

Q. I am in a part-time LTO assignment. What do I do on PD Days?

A. The expectation is that you are to participate up to your FTE, in the PD being offered that day, for which you will be paid grid rate. 

Q. Where do I find the Reflection Forms to complete after participating in a Paid PD event?

A. Reflection Forms are now called "Surveys" and they are found in Bright Space after signing in at this link https://stafflearninghub.tvdsb.ca/d2l/home Terri Manning in Staff Development: t.manning@tvdsb.ca / 519-452-2000 Ext. 20506 can assist members having difficulties.

Q. Can I be re-assigned to do the work of an absent EA?

A. If you have accepted a non-classroom assignment, you could be re-assigned to a room with such an absence, however you would do the duties of an additional Teacher in the class, and not the duties of an EA as we do not take on the work of another bargaining unit, nor are we trained for those duties. 

Q. I received an email from the Ontario College of Teachers, telling me I would be suspended if I do not complete the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program (SAPP) by July 2, 2025. Is this so?

A. Unfortunately, Provincial ETFO advises us that pending approval of a Ministerial regulation, OCT will have the authority to suspend members who do not comply with the July 2025 deadline.

Q. I am in a LTO and need to take time off because of a death in the family. What are my options?

A. In this case, the Collective Agreement has two provisions for LTOs, however they must be used appropiately:

1) BEREAVEMENT – Up to three days due to the death of a member of the immediate family: specifically parent, sibling, spouse or partner, child, parent-in-law, child-in-law, sibling-in-law, legal guardian, grandchild, grandparent, step-parent, step-child, step-grandparent or person who has acted in a parental capacity in lieu of the natural parent.  (Article L10.05)

2) COMPASSIONATE LEAVE - One day per school year to attend the funeral of a friend or family member not included in Article L10.05 or for compassionate reasons due to an emergency situation. (Article L10.07)

How have government cuts to education hurt your school?

Click on https://www.buildingbetterschools.ca/ to find out!

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November 24, 2024

November webinar registration now open

OTF is pleased to announce our newest series of excellent OTF Connects webinars. This year’s lineup, entitled Pushing our Learning Forward, will focus on strengthening our understanding of racism, special education, Indigenous education and curriculum expectations.
 
Over the coming weeks and months, OTF’s newest series of webinars will feature tips and tools to support you on your teaching and learning journey, across divisions and subject areas.

Our easy-to-use webinar platform provides you with free, effective professional learning accessible–from a distance–across multiple types of devices. You will leave each session with strategies and tools you can transfer to your own learning context. Registration for each webinar is limited, so sign up early to avoid disappointment.
 

November

An Introduction to Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI): How does it work and how might it impact my work as a teacher?
Doesn’t it feel like artificial intelligence is making headlines everywhere, sparking both excitement and concern? Have you ever wondered what Generative AI (GenAI) truly is and how it creates text, images, and music? What are some of the implications of GenAI in our teaching and for our students’ learning? Join our webinar to explore these questions and deepen your understanding of this remarkable technology. We’ll discuss how GenAI ‘learns’ and some important considerations that can help us better appreciate its potential and implications, both in the classroom and in society more generally. 

About your host
Moses Velasco, B.Sc, BEd 
OTF Director, Curriculum & Assessment  
Moses Velasco is an experienced presenter and is noted for his strong facilitation and communication skills. He has presented on a variety of educational topics such as teacher leadership and professional learning, equity, collective efficacy, early learning, and K-12 STEM education. Prior to his current role at OTF, Moses was the Director of Learning Programs at the Ontario Science Centre, where he led the development and delivery of school programs, logistic and resource support to public and school programs, and the Centre’s community engagement initiatives and volunteers.

Register
Date: November 26, 2024
Time: 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.