President's Message

Well, I blinked, and it’s December.

We hope you are enjoying the crisp fall weather and hope the snow holds off for a little while longer. Fingers crossed for all you non-skiiers. Some of our northern, OECTA colleagues are already dealing with their seasonal dumpings of snow.

Thank you to all members who were able to attend the General Meeting on November 27th. We were happy to share news of the Association and answer the questions that members are asking. It’s always nice to share a meal with colleagues and friends.

Thank you as well to the Staff reps who were able to attend the reps meeting on November 19th. Among other things discussed, we had guest presenters from the Government Relations and Public Affairs department at the Provincial office. At the meeting, they presented information related to the potential calling of a Spring Provincial Election. The focus of our Association is on organizing and mobilizing our efforts to help elect an education friendly government. This being necessary to address the consistent and relentless stripping of funding into education and health care that the Ford government has engaged in for 6+ years. More years of a Conservative government will do nothing for our working conditions, professional support, or mental health. 

Speaking of mental health. There are a number of supports available to members for mental health. Some of the supports are meant to be accessed prior to a leave and some after being off. 

Supports available while at work;

• EFAP - through the board

• ELHT - $1600 combined benefits (e.g. psychologist, psychotherapist, clinical counsellor, etc)

• OTIP - Starling Minds, Well at Work* (soon to offered) 

• Medical documentation - FAF

Supports available on leave;

• EFAP

• ELHT benefits

• OTIP - Early Intervention (EI), Starling Minds

• LTD

All teachers are encouraged to assess your level of anxiety and overall mental health proactively and regularly. By recognizing and addressing problems early, you can often prevent more serious issues from developing. Please continue to contact the unit office for guidance and support related to health issues.

As we joyously enter into this Advent season, we want to extend best wishes to you. Your passion, dedication, and tireless efforts inspire and uplift your students every day.

May this Advent season bring you peace, joy, and well-deserved rest. As you reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, may you find comfort and inspiration in the hope and love that the season embodies.

Be well.

Josh

Pursuant to Article 3 of the Central Terms of our contract, a sick leave/short-term leave and disability plan is provided to permanent full-time and part-time teachers. Below are some of the key elements of the plan. If you have questions about the plan, including how to access it, please reach out to the office for assistance.

Sick Leave

• 11 days provided to full-time teachers on the first day of each school year.

• Full-time teachers whose status is less than 1.0 FTE are allocated 11 days prorated to their employment status.

• Occasional Teachers placed in a term position or an LTO;

  • Full year placement - 11 days provided at the start of the assignment

  • Partial year placement -  allocation is given at the start of the assignment and reduced from 11 days to reflect the proportion of the assignment length to the length of the regular work year (194 days)

  • Personal medical appointments are debited from the occasional teacher's bank of 11.  Use the code for personal illness when registering an absence.

Short-Term Leave and Disability Plan (STLDP)

• Full-time teachers are allocated 120 STLDP days on the first day of each school year. 

• Full-time teachers whose status is less than 1.0 FTE are allocated 120 days prorated to their employment status.

• Teachers on a term position or an LTO;

  • Full year placement - 120 days allocated on the first day of the assignment. 

  • Partial year placement - 120 days prorated to the duration of the assignment relative to the school year.

• STLDP days are paid at 90% except for where a teacher has top-up days remaining.

• The present year's Top-Up Days are determined by the balance of unused Personal Illness Days from the previous school year.  Each day can be used to top-up 10 STLDP Days to 100%.

Personal Bank of Five

• Article 6A.11 of the local terms of the permanent teacher contract allocates up to five days of leave without loss of pay in a school year for reasons outlined below.  

• Please note that Occasional Teachers on a term placement or an LTO do NOT have access to the personal bank of 5. The following does not apply to an Occasional Teacher.

• • Urgent Personal Reasons - 2 days’ leave per year, not be taken prior to or following a scheduled break in the school year.

  • Compassionate Leave - granted in unusual circumstances. Contact the office for more info.

  • *Medical/Dental Appointments

  • Inclement Weather - used when the road conditions preclude you from travel to work; to be used judiciously.

THE TOTAL SUM OF DAYS CLAIMED USING THE CODES CANNOT

EXCEED FIVE ACROSS ALL CATEGORIES COMBINED.

*If your bank of 5 personal days has been exhausted and you have a medical appointment, please use the code for Medical/Dental when registering the absence in Easy Connect. The Board will debit appointment days from your personal illness allotments if your bank of 5 is at its limit. 

This two-day, in-person event is designed to empower classroom teachers, at any point in their career, and provide them with the tools to engage with issues of importance to them as teachers and union members.

Participants will participate in a variety of workshops that interest them, on topics that include:

• faith formation

• accessibility, inclusion, diversity, and equity;

• culturally responsive pedagogy;

• effective communication;

• maintaining professional boundaries;

• mental health and wellness;

• political advocacy and activism;

• understanding your collective agreement;

• your legal rights;

• and more!