Wednesday, September 24, 2025

First Paid PD Opportunities of the Year; Access to Employee Assistance Program; Health and Safety Tips for OTs; ETFO Provincial Development for Members;

TVOT members have the opportunity to be paid for participating in professional development on PA days when there are no teaching opportunities. Participation in such sessions counts for all purposes as teaching time. TVDSB has opened registration for the following in-person sessions to be held on Friday, October 10th at Prince Charles Public School. To register, log into the Employee Portal and go to Conference/Session Registrations > Elementary/Dual Occasional Teacher PD 2025-2026. N.B., participants must submit a separate Reflection Survey for each half-day session.

To be repeated as AM and PM sessions:

  • Lesson Planning with Generative AI
  • How to Start the Day Off Right! Working with Students to Create a Successful Day

Also, Principals can approved O.T. participation in PD being held at their schools as paid PD. Go to the System Staff Development SharePoint site or the Brightspace classroom for more information or contact Terri Manning at t.manning@tvdsb.ca for assistance.
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Health & Safety Reminders from
 David Griffith, TVOT Health and Safety Officer

As we step into the fall season, here are some important reminders to help keep you and your students safe:

Start Your Day Right

      Sign in at the office upon arrival.

      Collect your room key, safety plans, and any other essential information (e.g., student medical needs, allergies, or behaviour plans).

Know the Safety Plans

      Review any student safety or behaviour plans provided. These plans are designed to protect everyone - please follow the Do’s and Don’ts outlined.

      If you’re unsure about a plan, ask the school administrator for clarification.

Work Collaboratively with EAs

      Remember, Educational Assistants are BMS-trained to manage a variety of student behaviours.

      Avoid physically intervening with escalated students or removing items unless there is imminent risk of harm.

      Call the office for assistance - this ensures safety and allows trained staff to respond appropriately.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

      Watch out for slip, trip, and fall hazards, and be mindful of activities like gym or recess where stray balls can cause injuries.

      Familiarize yourself with school safety routines (fire drills, lockdowns, etc.).

When in Doubt, Ask

      The school administrator is your go-to resource for any questions or concerns.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” – Benjamin Franklin

Thank you for your professionalism and commitment to creating a safe and positive learning environment for all!

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All TVOT Occasional Teachers have confidential access to the TVDSB Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) / the Telus Employee Health Employee Family Assistance Program.


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 Did you know that many ETFO Provincial workshops include payment for lost teaching time (release time), travel (including train) , meal expenses and accommodations?
 
Here are some sessions that are now accepting applications - 

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