Around OECTA
February 2025
From Your Local Unit
President's Message
Hello Teachers of Hamilton-Wentworth.
We understand that today's PD Day presented some unexpected challenges, and we hope you were able to navigate them effectively. The unexpected delays with bussing may have impacted the planned schedule, and we recognize the frustration this may have caused. We are aware of the delicate balance the board strives for between fostering a sense of community through collective gatherings and minimizing unproductive time spent on transportation or waiting for it. We will be offering feedback on today's events to improve future PD days.
Hopefully, you were able to hear the keynote speaker, Chief Cadmus Delorme of Cowessess First Nation. His message of truth and reconciliation offered a profoundly positive and uplifting perspective on a deeply painful chapter in our nation's history. Personally, I anticipate spending considerable time reflecting on the insights he shared.
Last night marked the conclusion of a hastily called and poorly timed Provincial election. This election, occurring 18 months ahead of schedule, has resulted in three Provincial elections within the span of six years and eight months. Regardless of individual political affiliations, the outcome of this election signifies a setback for education in Ontario. It will represent a diminished commitment to investing in our schools, a weakening of collaborative partnerships, and a further delay in addressing the pressing needs faced by educators. As previously mentioned, this election served as the starting point for our next collective bargaining cycle, and unfortunately, the results have dealt a significant blow to our prospects.
Nevertheless, OECTA remains steadfast in its commitment to its members. We will continue to champion the fundamental principles of Catholic education, strive to elevate the status of the teaching profession throughout Ontario, and advocate for teachers to play a leading role in shaping the future of education.
We extend our gratitude to those members who were able to attend our General Meeting on February 26th. The past two months since the Christmas break have been demanding, particularly with the added workload of report cards. To witness members taking the time to participate in the essential business of our OECTA Unit is truly inspiring and deeply appreciated.
As we turn the page on the calendar, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of warmer, sunnier days. We hope you are looking forward to a much-needed break from the cold and the opportunity to enjoy a rejuvenating March Break. Whether you plan to spend quality time with family, embark on exciting travels, or simply unwind with your favorite shows, we encourage you to fully embrace this time. You have earned this break, and we wish you a relaxing and fulfilling March Break.
Josh
Important Upcoming Dates
NEW MISSED PLANNING TIME BANK COMING (incl. OTs)
As you may recall, the current online tool for reporting missed planning time is an interim one. We recently had a meeting with the board where they presented the new permanent tool. The tool housed within Easy Connect/Apply to Ed and so it will be available when you login to Easy Connect. When the transition occurs to the new (permanent) tool, it will be attached to each individual, rather than a school site. The board will transition the data in the current tool, into the new permanent tool. They have indicated that teachers will not have to do this themselves.
We are glad that our feedback and concerns seem to be addressed by the new tool. Some of the concerns about the interim tool were as follows:
What happens to the banked time if a teacher changes locations (eg. a teacher on the SERT roster is assigned to a new school in a SERT position)? or;
When an LTO comes to an end, how does any outstanding time transition into a new LTO location? or;
What happens to the time when a teacher goes off on a leave including pregnancy/parental leave (and is no longer assigned to a location) or;
Since the interim tool is location based, how do daily OTs bank missed planning time that they are entitled to on day 2 and beyond?
Since the tool will now be attached to each teacher, rather than a site, it seems to address these particular concerns. The tool will be trialed in a few schools first and the board does not have a "live" date for the new tool to be implemented.
When it comes to banking planning time, there are some changes that were negotiated by Provincial, that impact local language.
Some key pieces of new contract language from Part A (Provincial bargaining):
The following is not eligible for banking or payout: 24.5.1 Activities for which the teacher volunteered to participate (including but not limited to participating in extra-curricular activities, educational excursions and professional development)
24.5.2 Preparation and planning time provided on days when not scheduled to be in class (professional development and training where an OT has been provided, professional activity days, school closures, and holidays).*
*it is our position that we have very clear language that on full days where a teacher is receiving PD during instructional time, we are provided 40 minutes of planning time.
24.6 Teachers shall report any missed preparation and planning time to the school principal, or designate, at the end of each week…The school principal, or designate, shall respond electronically by the end of the week confirming receipt (Since we agreed to the use of an online tool, the system generates the email receipt, not the principal). The principal or designate will create a monthly report of the missed preparation and planning time.**
**While we have not agreed to a specific timeframe or cut off for teachers to submit their missed planning time, it would be reasonable to have it in by the end of the following week. You would need to have your owed time in by the end of the month when the principal runs their report. This is what "locks in" owed time.
24.7 A school board shall have five (5) months (excluding July and August) from the date of the monthly report to reschedule the missed preparation and planning time.
Eg. our next “pay out” is in July. This means any missed planning time from:
October 2024 (not paid back by the March 2025 report);
November 2024 (not paid back by the April 2025 report);
December 2024 (not paid back by the May 2025 report);
January 2025 (not paid back by the June 2025 report);
Must be paid out in July 2025
The contract requires that the teacher inputs their missed planning time. Not an administrator. It could prove exceptionally difficult to go back and figure out if something did not get inputted by someone who offered to do it for you. Ultimately if the board can say the contract requires the teacher to input the missed time, not the administration, and we would be on poor footing to defend you. Every effort should be made to ensure that your missed planning time is inputted by the end of the week.
Alison
First Vice-President, Contract Manager
Annual General Meeting
The time has come once more for your Association to assemble en masse as a democratic body at the Annual General Meeting. At the meeting, delegates from each unit across the province will engage in debate and discussion, and then cast their vote on a variety of motions and resolutions which will determine the course for OECTA in the coming years.
While not everyone is able to attend the Annual General Meeting as a delegate, all members are able to access the meeting materials to stay apprised of the Association's business. Within the members' area at catholicteachers.ca, materials from the meeting are able to be viewed and downloaded. All that's needed is your OECTA login and password. Click here to create your account if you have not already done so.
Meeting Materials
Browse through the meeting materials and/or tune in to the live stream of the meeting to take it all in at AGM 2025. Visit the Members' Area at catholicteachers.ca to access the links to the following:
Agenda
Resolutions and Nominations
Report of the President
Report of the General Secretary
Report of the Treasurer
Reports of the OTF and CTF Officers
Committee Reports
...and more!
Retirement Webinars and Workshops
OECTA Pension Workshop
Join us at our annual OECTA pension workshop, co-hosted by the secondary and elementary OECTA units. This workshop will be predominantly focused on your Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and the content will be delivered by one of our Provincial office staff officers. Dinner will be served and members are invited to bring their partner along for meal and a bit of learning. Register today!
APRIL 8, 2025
St. Naum Parish Hall
4:30pm-6:30pm
Dinner served at 4:00pmOTPP Webinars
These workshops are delivered by staff from the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and suited to plan members at different career stages. As a Teacher approaches retirement, what they need to know will vary from a member just starting out in their career.
Select from the options below.
Within 5 Years of Retirement
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 6 p.m.
Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 5 p.m.
OTIP Webinars and Workshops
These offerings focus of benefits and some financial planning considerations for your retirement. Discussion about your pension are limited in scope. For greater depth of understanding about your Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, please attend a workshop or webinar hosted by OECTA or OTPP.
Professional Development Fund
Funds from the OECTA Hamilton-Wentworth 2024-2025 budget have been set aside to assist members with costs associated with professional development opportunities such as AQ courses, conferences, and workshops. To take advantage of this opportunity, please complete the application form linked below.
Please Note:
$250.00 available per member per year (until the budget line is exhausted, first-come first-served)
Included: AQ courses, conferences, workshops, classes, including OT coverage for an absence to attend a course/conference/workshop etc. The content of the opportunity must be supportive of your teaching practice.
Excluded: Expenses like accommodations, mileage, books, technology, monthly subscriptions, etc.
Priority given to members who did not access the funds last year.
Documentation of completion and a copy of the receipt will be required to receive reimbursement.
PD must be completed between July 1, 2024- June 30, 2025.
Persons working for another board are not eligible.
Applications are subject to the approval of the PD committee.
PD funds for 2024-2025 are available until June 30th.
Snow Clearing and Salting Reminders
Around this time of the year, the unit office typically sees a number of injuries to Teachers resulting from falls in snowy and slippery conditions. Several members will also reach out to the office about fire exits being blocked by the snow cleared from school yards, uncleared treacherous walkways, or any other number of inquiries relating to cleaning up after a winter storm event. The question of roles and responsibilities in snow clearance and salting is a fair one to ask.
When it comes to clearing snow and ice from the walkways and blacktops at schools, the HWCDSB issues an annual memorandum with reminders about roles and responsibilities. Please click on the link below to open the memo, and reach out to the office if there are further questions or concerns.
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From the Provincial Office
Catholic Teacher Magazine
The latest issue of Catholic Teacher magazine is now available. This issue is a special Black History Month edition featuring the work of Black Catholic teachers, with insightful articles on: Addressing Anti-Black Racism and Misogynoir in Schools; Dealing with the Impact of Anti-Black Racism in the Workplace; Poetry, music, books, and other works created by Black Catholic teachers!
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