JANUARY 2015

Affiliated with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario

SAVE THE DATE for a Pension Workshop

Monday April 20th, 5-8 pm, details to follow

PD Workshop: Surviving While Smiling

Feb. 26th, Federation House

Steward’s CouncilFeb. 20th,1-4 at The River Inn

We are looking for submissions of: Faces of our Local Teachers.

The winning image will be part of a local advertising campaign:

“TEACHERS—Making a Difference!”

email your submission to: dsedore-mccoy@etfoph.on.ca DeaDLine: February 27th, 2015

GuiDElinES:• please do not include faces of students• a signed release of image and model will be

required before use in the Ad.

eTFO-HP

Photo Contest!

Contest open to

ETFO-HP members only

Calling all Amateur

Photographers!

PaGe 2 JANUARY 2015 ETFO-hpE

Collective Bargaining

On January 20th, the Local served the Board with notice

to bargain. As you are probably aware, the Collective Bargaining process has been substantially changed over the years, and we are now under a new bargaining regime as a result of the passing of Bill 122.

Through a series of bulletins, we have been trying to keep you updated on the status of negotiations both provincially and locally. In December, our provincial organization was able to reach agreement with the School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) and the government as to the list of items which would be bargained centrally. Negotiations on that list began on Jan. 21st and 22nd.

Now that central bargaining is underway, Bill 122 allows Locals to begin bargaining with individual school boards. We have requested the Board to provide us with dates on which they are prepared to begin bargaining on and after Feb. 23rd. The Local will be seeking changes to the Collective Agreement based on the preliminary submission which was passed at the all members’ meeting last May.

As you can see, the pace of bargaining is rather slow, to say the least! At this time, it is not possible to predict how long Local bargaining will take, but we are confident that this Board (unlike some other Boards during the last round) will take our proposals seriously and negotiate with us in good faith. During the last round of bargaining, despite the hammer of Bill 115, the Local and the Board were able to negotiate a range of improvements to the Collective Agreement, including the ultimate elimination of the former pink sheet process.

StaffingThe Joint Staffing Committee has issued the staffing timelines for 2015-16. Following a review of the revised staffing process which was piloted last spring to replace the pink sheets, the JSC decided that the pilot would become permanent.

You will see the 17-Day Staffing Process outlined in the timelines. This is currently scheduled to begin on May 8th. Prior to May 8th, there will be a new and standardized “druthers” process in operation in all schools. Administration assignments will be announced in April,

and all teachers will be informed of next year’s “anticipated” teaching assignment prior to May 8th. Teachers interested in transferring to a new school should contact the Local Office to discuss options regarding job sharing, teacher exchange, Phase One and Two, and Mobility.

No doubt, rumours will begin to fly about possible surplus situations in some schools. Please don’t panic or respond to rumours. Instead, call the Local office. The staffing process depends not just on enrollment numbers, but also on retirements, leaves, and other factors. We always do our best to resolve issues, so that the greatest number of teachers possible have the school and/or assignment of their choice.

Humanity FundAs your Local president, I am a member of ETFO’s Humanity Fund’s Board of Directors. This Board meets twice per year to distribute funds to worthy organizations seeking to make a difference in education and the lives of children both in Canada and around the world. At our last meeting in December, we approved a number of projects in Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa from building classrooms to assisting with refugee camps. It’s always nice to see local groups apply for funding. One such group receiving funding recently was the SchoolBox program. Local Executive member, Jason Surgent, travelled to Nicaragua on his X over Y year in order to assist with the construction of a new school. For information on the Humanity Fund, please visit www.efto.ca.

Dave HendersonETFO-HP President

Jason hands out supplies as part of SchoolBox’s Supplies For School program which received funding in 2014 from the ETFO Humanity Fund to bring school supplies to children at schools in Nicaragua.

Please Consider Joining One of Our Committees! You may contact the chair or call the local office for more information. Active Committees are essential in order for our local to be as vibrant as possible.

StatuS oF Women Committee The Finding a Balance Retreat will be taking place on April 18 -19th this year. The registration forms will be out at the beginning of February. As well, the committee is always looking for new members (meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month at Federation House at 4:30 p.m). If you have any questions about the retreat or becoming a committee member, please contact Angela Silver at statuschair.etfohp@gmail.com

Chair: Angela Silver, College St.

ProFeSSional DeveloPment Committee The PD Committee held a very successful “Art in a Pinch” workshop at Foxboro Public School with artist and teacher Marg McIntyre. As always with Marg’s workshops, it was completely booked, with many on the waiting list. On Feb. 26, there will be a “Surviving While Smiling” ETFO workshop at Federation House and on April 7 and April 21 “Learning in the Early Years” at Foxboro PS. The next meeting is Feb 17 at Federation House. For further information contact the PD Chair Jane Scanlan-Price at plchair.etfohp@gmail.com

Chair: Jane Scanlan-Price, Foxboro

equity anD SoCial JuStiCe Committee The Equity committee is looking forward to March 3rd for the 2015 edition of the “Possibilities” workshop. It is being presented in collaboration with the board. A system memo will be coming out soon with all the details for this very worthwhile professional learning opportunity.

Chair: Paul Russell, HJC

FirSt Five Committee The First Five Committee will be working in conjunction with the Professional Development Committee in presenting the “Surviving While Smiling” workshop in February. A treat of Smarties was being sent to all new teachers as they complete Term 1 report cards. If you are a member in your first five years and are looking for resources and support please contact the Committee Chair Sherry Simms at firstfive.etfohp@gmail.com

Chair: Sherry Simm, Queen Elizabeth Trenton

PolitiCal aCtion Committee Political Action Chair will be organizing meetings with our Local MPPS, Todd Smith (PC), and Lou Rinaldi (Liberal) to discuss issues related to education. “Let’s make 2015 the last unfair election.” Find out more by visiting the website www.fairvote.ca and signing the Declaration of Voters’ Rights. Use the Twitter hashtag #PR2015 to voice your opinion on our electoral system and read opinions of others.

Chair: Andrew Clarke, Pinecrest

SoCial anD WellneSS Committee The Social and Wellness Committee is inviting members and their families or friends to the Belleville Bulls vs. Oshawa Generals game on Saturday, February 28. Tickets are available at a discounted rate of $10 per ticket. There are a limited number of seats available, on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please email committee chair Ian McKendry at social.etfohp@gmail.com or contact Federation House to reserve your tickets. The deadline for ticket requests is Monday, February 9.

Chair: Ian McKendry, Tweed.

HealtH anD SaFety Committee The Committee hosted our annual training session for Site-based Health and Safety Reps on January 27. Valence Young, ETFO’s Provincial Health and Safety Officer provided members with supports and strategies to assist them in their role as health and safety representatives at their work-site.The risks of slips, trips and falls on icy, snowy surfaces are winter weather concerns in school communities. Outdoor surfaces such as sidewalks, outdoor steps, parking lots, and paved school yards need to be safe walking surfaces. Timely snow removal and treatment with sand or salt make those outdoor walking surfaces safer. If you have concerns about slippery outdoor surfaces at your workplace, let your principal know as soon as possible and ask for the problem to be remedied. Early action on slip, trip and fall hazards can prevent serious injuries. For yard duty, each school should have multiple sets of ice grippers that you can place over your boots. If these are not present, and you are wishing to use them, please ask your administrator for them. They were sent to the schools a few years ago, so they may have wandered off or gone into hiding.

Chair: Jason Surgent, Maynooth

PaGe 4 JANUARY 2015 ETFO-hpE

Rahno Godfrey from Alternatives to Women is this year’s Award Winner

Status of Women Committee Chair Angela Silver (left) speaking with Award Recipient

Rhano Godfrey (right).

Gender Matters: a Virtual Discussion on Violence against WomenViolence against women has been front and centre in recent months. As part of its Young Women’s National Leadership Summit, the YWCA is partnering with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) to host a one-hour panel discussion on this and the current state of gender equality in North America

YWCA is inviting post-secondary students, educators and service workers to join their expert panellists—activists and leaders from diverse fields and cultural backgrounds— and be inspired to take action in creating a fairer and safer society for women.

The panel discussion will be driven by Status Quo? The Unfinished Business of Feminism in Canada, a thought-provoking documentary about the ongoing struggles of the women’s movement. Participants can view the film and submit questions for the panellists in advance.

To make this important online event accessible—virtually— to participants across Canada and the US, it will be live

streamed from YMCA Geneva Park on January 30, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. (EST).

visit: http://www.etfo.ca/advocacyandaction/gendermatters/pages/default.aspx

ETFO-HP STATUS OF WOMEN

Community Support AwardThe Community Support Award is granted to a member of the community who has given outstanding service in supporting women and children in the local or global community.

Community Celebration DinnerThe Community Celebration Dinner, hosted by the ETFO Hastings-Prince Edward Status of Women Committee, held its annual dinner on January 8th, to recognize volunteers and workers who support women and children within our community.

Each year one person is selected by the committee to receive the

Community Support Award and presented with a glass apple at a dinner in their honour.

This year’s recipient was Rahno Godfrey, Executive Director of Alternatives for Women, based in Picton. Rahno was chosen for her outstanding work supporting women in the community. The award was presented to Rahno by Angela Silver, Chair of the ETFO-HPE Status of Women Committee.

alternatives for Women is a counselling based agency providing:• individual and group support programs for women experiencing violence or abuse• second stage housing for women and children in transition leaving abuse relationships• 24 hour crisis intervention• free confidential counselling• assistance in emergency transportation to a shelter• assistance creating a safety plan• accompaniment to meetings and court cases• advocacy and referrals to other agencies• outreach counselling to all areas of Prince Edward County

Prince edward County is fortunate to have alternatives for Women, an agency providing a range of services and support for women breaking free from domestic violence. Programs offered include crisis intervention, safety planning, individual and group counselling, and a second stage housing program.

PD — art Workshop

IT’S ElEmEnTArY JANUARY 2015 PaGe 5

The Festive Art in a Pinch Workshop was held on December 2, 2014, at Foxboro Public School with Teacher and local artist Marg McIntyre. The workshop was well attended, and had a waiting list.

(left) Amira Loney (teacher at Athol-South Marysburgh P.S). The artwork shown above was painted by Amira.

eTFO Members Vote 95 Percent in Favour of Central Strike action December 9, 2014

ETFO, the union representing public elementary teachers today announced that its members had voted 95 per cent in favour of strike under the new bargaining regime recently established in the education sector, The School Boards Collective Bargaining Act, 2014.

President Sam Hammond, declared, “it was an historic moment for ETFO as members voted online over a six day period to strongly support their team at the central table.

Going into bargaining, our members have sent a powerful message that they will not stand for a repeat of the last round of bargaining involving contract strips and unconstitutional

legislation removing our bargaining rights.” ‎

Negotiations are slated to commence in January, 2015.

For more Provincial Media Releases visit:

http://www.etfo.ca/MediaRoom/MediaReleases/Pages/eTFO%20Members%20Vote%2095%20Percent%20in%20Favour%20of%20Central%20Strike%20action.aspx

ELEMENTARY SECONDARY BEGINNING

teachingawards.ca

NOMINATE

Celebrate &

2 0 1 5 O T I P T E A C H I N G A W A R D S

March 31, 2015

for the winning teacher

and his/her school

Nomination

(left to right) ► Liz Cornall, Shirley Barker, and Angela

Silver are among some of the members who participated in the art workshop.

PaGe 6 JANUARY 2015 ETFO-hpE

MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS

Hastings Prince Edward ETFO members get up to 50% off home insuranceYou will enjoy big savings when you purchase both your car and home insurance from OTIP. It’s just one more reason why it feels good to belong.

®

Call 1-888-892-4935 or visit otip.com/ETFO-HPE to complete a quote This is a one-time discount (of up to 50%) and is only applicable to new multi-line home and auto policies underwritten by Traders General Insurance Company, part of the Aviva Insurance Company of Canada. OTIP and Aviva have the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Must reside in Ontario to be eligible for this discount.

$

IT’S ElEmEnTArY JANUARY 2015 PaGe 7

www.eqano.caFor information on standardized

testing please check out the following website, designed

and maintained by HPe eTFO Political action Committee.

$WHEn Will GRiD AnD CATEGORy CHAnGES bE nOTED On yOuR PAy?

Grid and category changes will be reflected on the February 20, 2015 pay date, due to the fact that February 6th is the 97th day of the school year.

ReseRve youR tickets!For tickets please email

committee chair Ian McKendry at: social.etfohp@gmail.com or contact Federation House

$10 per ticket

Belleville Bulls vs. oshawa Generals

There are a limited number of seats! (first-come-first-serve)

SATURdAY February 28th

Game Starts at 7:05 p.m.

The deadline for ticket requests is Monday, February 9

Annual General Meeting: register to Vote for a Delegate at:http://www.etfohp.on.ca/register-here-for-agm-delegate-vote/The three members with the greatest vote count will be added to the Released Executive Members (REM) to complete the ETFO ANNUAL MEETING dELEGATE complement for the Hastings-Prince Edward Teacher Local.

Congratulations To:

• Vanessa Hill Bierworth (Hermon P.S.), on the

birth of her baby boy, Cohen William Bierworth,

born on Jan 1st, weighing 5lbs 2oz.

• Lindsay Tebo (Harmony P.S.) and husband Kirby

on the birth of a baby girl, Payton Katherine Joan

Tebo, born on Jan. 15th, weighing 6lbs 12oz.

• Karen Haveman (Prince Charles Belleville P.S.)

on the birth of your grandson, Wesley Haveman,

born on Jan. 20th, weighing 7lbs 5oz.

Our Sincere Condolences To:

• Peter Nayler (Madoc P.S.), and his wife Kelly

nayler (Madoc Township School) on the loss of

Peter’s father.

• Donna Douglas (Frankford P.S.), on the loss

of her mother.

• Matt Simpson (Frankford P.S.),

on the loss of his mother-in-law.

an invitation has been extended — all elementary School Teachers Welcome!

Take charge of your mental and emotional health.

FeelingBetternow is offered as part of your OTiP long term disability

(LTD) benefits plan.

we are now on

www.etfohp.on.ca