Halton Highlights - January Issue

Halton Highlights

January 2018

DEFINING OUR FUTURE
Women March on Toronto
January 20, 2018 - 12:00 p.m.

Nathan Phillips Square
TORONTO

The OFL is asking us to make you aware of a mass demonstration to be held in Toronto on Saturday,
January 20, from noon until 2:00 p.m., on the anniversary of the Women’s Marches across the world. Around
the world, people are joining to stand clearly in continuing opposition to the politics of hate and division. Similar
demonstrations will be taking place in other communities. If you wish to attend, you can find more information
at https://www.facebook.com/events/167970267122615/

January 2018

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

31 1 23 45 6

Happy New Epiphany
Year!

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

First day back to Pay period #10 Arbitration Due date to
school All deductions RSVP for OECTA
resume & OCT Halton Pension
HEU office fee deductions Workshop
reopens

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Arbitration HEU Executive OT PA Day Halton OECTA
Meeting Registration Pension
deadline Workshop

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Step ll Pay period #11 School Year
Grievance OCT fee deductions Calendar
Meeting Committee Meeting
Arbitration
Arbitration

28 29 30 31 1 2 3

Arbitration Arbitration

Page 1

Nina March, President
Halton Elementary OECTA

Bill 148

Under Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn and the Provincial Liberals, Bill 148, one of the most progressive pieces
of labour legislation in 50 years, has come into effect. This legislation that supports workers across the
province was also strongly supported by the ONDP government.

Under Bill 148, there are several provisions that have come into effect as of January 1st, 2018, including the
following:

• Minimum wage has increased to $14.00/hr ($15.00/hr minimum wage as of 2019)
• Expansion of statutory leaves of absence under the Employment Standards Act:

- Parental Leave (effective December 3rd, 2017)
- Family Medical Leave
- Critical Illness Leave (previously Critically Ill Child Care Leave)
- Child Death Leave
- Crime-Related Child Disappearance Leave
- Domestic or Sexual Violence Leave
- Personal Emergency Leave

For more information about these statutory leaves of absence, please go to
https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/pubs/brochures/br_leaves.php

Please note, this link also includes unpaid, job-protected leaves of absence.
If you have any questions about any leave of absence, including medical leaves of absence, please contact
the Unit office by phone or from your personal email address.

FYI: OSAP Expanded through the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development
The Ontario government has recently expanded funding for full-time, post-secondary students.
To review this information to provide to your own family or the families of your students, please review the
links below:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/learn-about-osap
https://osap.gov.on.ca/AidEstimator1819Web/enterapp/enter.xhtml

OHIP+ Children and Youth Pharmacare
The Ontario government implemented a Child and Youth Pharmacare program that came into effect January
1st, 2018. Over 4,400 prescription drug products under the Ontario Benefit Drug Formulary will be provided for
children and youth 24 years of age and under, by the Ontario government. What is required is a valid OHIP
card and a valid prescription. For more information, please review the following link:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/drugs/ohipplus/docs/ohip_keyfacts.pdf

The ELHT will be providing additional information to OECTA ELHT Benefits members in future emails.

Page 2

OECTA Bursaries, Fellowships, and Scholarships
Each year, qualified OECTA members can apply for bursaries, fellowships, and scholarships to advance their
studies and careers from OECTA Provincial.

• The deadline to apply for the fellowships and scholarships supporting post-graduate studies for the
following academic year is April 1st.

• The deadline to apply for bursaries is May 1st for courses taken in the summer session for that calendar
year through June 30th of the following calendar year.

For more information, please review the posters in this month’s Halton Highlights. To access applications, go
to http://www.catholicteachers.ca/For-Your-Benefit/Scholarships-Fellowships-and-Bursaries.

Report Card Writing PA Day – Friday, February 2nd, 2018
Please note, this day was negotiated so that teachers shall use the day for report card writing purposes. No
meetings shall be held on this day.

Tampon Tuesday
Tampon Tuesday is an initiative that was started in 2009 in London, Ontario. The goal then was to assist a local
food bank provide feminine hygiene products to women. This initiative has since grown, spanning groups
across Ontario as people become educated on how essential this expensive personal care product is for
women. Women who are unable to afford and/or access these products often are forced to take time off
work during their menstrual cycles – losing pay or even their jobs due to this absenteeism. Young women
are forced to miss school. This initiative has been publicized as “Women helping women one box at a time.”
This is not just a women’s issue. It is a societal issue, where those vulnerable lose the ability and
opportunity to provide the basic necessities for their families due to a biological function.

We recognize that menstruation and feminine hygiene products are not topics that people often discuss or are
comfortable discussing publicly. This may be one of the reasons that the need for feminine hygiene products
and the effects of not having them available is not recognized. Hearing about this critical social issue was a real
eye opener for Tara and me, when we attended the first Oakville Tampon Tuesday that was co-organized by
the United Way and a variety of local agencies supporting women in Halton Region. Organizations like Halton
Womens’ Place shared stories of how access to these feminine hygiene products, that most of us take for
granted, allow women to access more opportunities. The Unit will be making another donation this year to
Tampon Tuesday through the Human Rights/Status of Women Committee. Personally, Tara and I also donate
to this event. Can you help, too?

Page 3

We are inviting all teachers and their families to donate feminine hygiene products and become a part of this
worthwhile initiative. The Second Annual Oakville Tampon Tuesday is scheduled to take place on Tuesday,
April 3rd, 2018. We are asking that teachers (men and women) who wish to donate feminine hygiene products
to Tampon Tuesday (to be donated to a number of women’s groups across Halton Region) to get them to your
school OECTA Staff Rep. The OECTA Staff Rep will be asked to transport them to the Unit office during the
February 28th, 2018, OECTA Staff/CBC Rep meeting. All feminine hygiene products donated will be presented
on April 3rd at the Oakville Tampon Tuesday event from Halton Catholic Teachers. Thank you in advance for
your consideration and (hopefully) support of this very worthy initiative.

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Enhancements
In March 2017, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan reported a surplus of $11.5 billion dollars. The partners in
the Plan agreed to use a portion of the surplus for the following enhancements, which came into effect
January 1st, 2018:

• The contribution rate for the Plan’s active members has been reduced by 1.1%
• Full inflation protection will be restored for those who retired after 2009
• The reduction rate factor has been lowered for members who cease employment in education in 2018

or later and who elect a reduced pension on a deferred basis
The OTPP remains fully funded. For more information regarding these enhancements, go to
https://www.otpp.com/documents/10179/775902/-/c100a4b1-400c-4581-9821-
99fe95f238f3/OTPP_FundingAnnouncement_Rev4.1_EN_WEB.pdf.
Blessings,
Nina March, President, Halton Elementary OECTA
[email protected]

Page 4

Page 5

Tara’s Topic of the Month

It’s cold out there…
On the evening of February 25th, members of the HEU Human Rights/Status of Women Committee will be
walking together in the Coldest Night of the Year to raise money for those in need in our community.
The Coldest Night of the Year is a walk fundraiser that began in 2011 and has grown to be a Canada-wide
event that occurs in over 100 communities. The walk is to help local charities raise money for the hungry,
homeless, and hurting. As a committee, we are walking in the Burlington event, which will support Open
Doors.
Open Doors provides 13 community-based programs at St. Christopher's Church that focus on food, children,
youth, parenting, and community resources. Over 3,100 people in the community are supported through
services such as emergency food services, a free clothing store, a weekly community dinner, after school
programs, and other weekly and monthly events.
Our goal as a team is to raise $500 to help Open Doors. If you would like to support the Human Rights/Status
of Women Committee team “Halton Catholic Teachers,” the team link is
https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?teamID=788714&langPref=en-CA
All HEU members are welcome to join us in this cause and walk with the members of the Human Rights/Status
of Women Committee. If you are interested in joining the team, please email [email protected] for
more information.

Tara Hambly
HEU First Vice-President

Page 6

SAVE THE DATE

OTF Connects
winter program opening soon!

The Ontario Teachers' Federation is pleased to continue supporting self-directed teacher learning through
OTF Connects. Developed for teachers by teachers, our free professional learning webinar program
provides you with easy-to-access PD right at your home computer or mobile device.

OTF Connects invites teachers to learn, share and collaborate with colleagues from across the province
through rich, relevant professional learning opportunities. Teachers leave each session with immediately
useful ideas for their classroom.

EXCITING UPCOMING WEBINARS

January 15 Media Literacy Ideas Today for
Tomorrow, Chelsea Atwell (K-Gr. 3)
January 16 The Kindergarten Educator Guide: What’s
in it for you?, Laura Christmann and Vera Teschow (K)
January 17 Going Deeper with OTF Planboard, Andrew Bieronski (K-Gr.12)
January 18 Self Regulation and Wellbeing in a Digital Age,
Tina Zita (K-Gr.12)
January 22 Creating the Conditions for Creativity to Flourish,
Garfield Gini-Newman (K-Gr.12)
January 23 Redefining Literacy: Getting Comfortable with Being
Uncomfortable, Alana King (K-Gr.12)
January 24 Pedagogical Documentation: Highlighting the learning in
Kindergarten, Joel Seaman (K)
January 24 Spiraling INTO Control: A Different Way to Plan and Teach Math
for Deeper Student Understandings, Mary-Kay Goindi (Gr. 1-8)
January 25 Using Assessment as Learning to Increase Student Proficiency
in FSL, Jenn Rochon (Gr. 7-12)
January 25 Exploring Spatial Reasoning, Kit Luce (K-Gr. 3)
January 29 Ready to join a global project?, Julie Balen (Gr. 7-12)
January 30 Head First into HyperDocs!, Alison Bullock (K-Gr.12)
January 31 LT2: Learning and Teaching Early Math with Learning
Trajectories, Edward Schroeter (JK/SK- Gr. 2)
February 1 Adventure and Exploring Without Leaving your Classroom,
Cameron Steltman (Gr.1-8)

Page 7

TEACHERS AID TEACHER
ADVISOR

OECTA’S PROVINCIAL LTD PLAN

What you need to know about cancelling your long-term
disability coverage

By Mary Lachapelle

Most members are in a highly vulnerable financial position when 66 per cent unreduced service pension, or you reach the end of
they are confronted with a loss of income during a lengthy or the month following your 65th birthday (as long as you were not
permanent disability. The OECTA provincial long-term disability receiving Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan benefits).
(LTD) insurance plan provides a safety net that will replace a
percentage of your salary and provide pension plan protection if You might have sound reasons for cancelling your LTD coverage
you are unable to work because of an illness or injury. and discontinuing your premium payments, but you should
This being said, it is possible to terminate your LTD coverage, in carefully consider your options. You likely do not want to be in
which case you will no longer have premiums deducted from your a situation where you are unable to work and are not receiving
pay. su cient income. Also note that coverage cannot be cancelled
Three scenarios retroactively.
There are three scenarios in which you might be able to cancel
your LTD insurance: If you wish to terminate your LTD coverage, you should complete
an Application for Coverage Termination. Submit the completed
1) You are eligible for a 66 per cent unreduced service pension, application to your local OECTA unit o ce at least two months
or will be within the latter of either: the next 100 working days, prior to the desired cancellation date to ensure the board stops
or the expiration of your sick leave credits. deducting LTD premiums on time. Be sure to include the required
• To qualify for an unreduced pension you must have the “85 factor,” supporting documentation.
meaning your age and years of qualifying service add up to 85.
• To qualify for a 66 per cent unreduced pension, you must Your LTD benefits plan is sponsored by OECTA Provincial and
meet the above criteria with 33 years of credited service. administered by the Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP).
Please do not call your school board for assistance; direct any
2) You have reached the end of the month in which you turned 65, questions to your local OECTA unit o ce.
or you will reach the end of the month in which you will turn 65
within the latter of either: the next 100 working days, or the What is OTIP?
expiration of your sick leave credits.
e Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) is a not-for-profit
3) Your retirement date is within the next 100 working days, and insurance advocate that is part of the education community. OTIP
you have notified both the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and is governed, led and inspired by the four education affiliates and
your school board. their local leaders. OTIP’s products and services include a full range
of group and individual insurance from your group benefit plans
Eligible until retirement and long-term disability coverage to individual insurance products
You should know that you are not required to terminate your LTD such as your home and auto coverage.
coverage simply because you have notified your board of your
intention to retire. You are still eligible for coverage up to the date Mary Lachapelle is a member of the Counselling & Member Services
of your retirement, and you the have the right to make a claim if department at OECTA Provincial Office.
you become disabled prior to this date. If approved, LTD benefits
would be payable until: you recover, you become eligible for a Q e information for this article was provided by the Ontario Teachers
Insurance Plan. To learn more, visit www.otip.com.

20 CATHOLIC TEACHER | DECEMBER 2017

Page 8

Page 9

Occasional Teachers’ Update

The upcoming Occasional Teacher PA Day takes place on February 2nd, 2018, at Corpus Christi and
is open to all Halton Occasional Teachers who are currently not in an LTO assignment. This is a paid day, but
you must register prior to January 19th, 2018. Information on registration can be found on Smart Find.

All teachers, including Occasional Teachers, are required to complete anaphylaxis training
annually. If you have not yet done so, please go into your Self Serve Portal on Staff Net and complete the
training and confirm that you have.

As an Occasional Teacher who teaches primarily in the Halton Elementary Unit, you are welcome
to participate in all Unit events, including social outreach initiatives, committees, workshops, social events,
and general meetings. Occasional Teachers are always welcome, as we love to see our Occasional Teachers
active and involved in the Unit. For upcoming events, keep reading the Information Updates and Halton
Highlights.

Yours in Solidarity,

Tara Hambly

/RDER ONE TO iT YOUR NEEDS AND Spring 2018 Fall 2018

Registration Opens Registration Opens CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
(PENDING ACCREDITATION)
DECEMBER 5, 2017 JUNE 12
CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION
Registration Closes Registration Closes FRENCH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
GUIDANCE AND CAREER EDUCATION
MARCH 16 SEPTEMBER 11 INTEGRATION OF INFORMATION AND

Courses Start Courses Start COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY IN
INSTRUCTION
APRIL 3 SEPTEMBER 24 KINDERGARTEN
MATHEMATICS
Courses End Courses End READING

JUNE 15 DECEMBER 14 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Summer 2018 A limited number of
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Registration Opens $450 AQ STUDENT ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION
SUBSIDIES
APRIL 6 are available for ALL TEACHER LIBRARIAN
TEACHING COMBINED GRADES
Registration Closes Math, Kindergarten and TEACHING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS
Technology (ICT) courses.
JUNE 1 TEACHING STUDENTS WITH
COMMUNICATIONS NEEDS (A.S.D.)
Courses Start
TEACHING STUDENTS WITH
JULY 3 COMMUNICATIONS NEEDS (L.D.)

Courses End (PENDING ACCREDITATION)
Single course only
JULY 27

CLOSING DATES A DISCOUNT OF $200 FOR ANYONE
WHO TAKES AN OECTA AQ SPECIALIST
WILL BE IN AN INSTRUCTIONAL COURSE, THAT
EXTENDED IS NOT SUBSIDIZED.
IF SPACES
ARE STILL
AVAILABLE

Page 10

Happy New Year! HEU

In the past weeks, there has been much on social media and in the
news about new year's resolutions. Presumably, these tasks are devised
to help us achieve our goals to improve our health, our choices, our
status, our personal lives, etc.

A couple of weeks ago, I read an article written by a young woman,
Holly Butcher, who recently died of cancer. Her article was neither
maudlin nor sad. Her inspiring note to others (us) was a reminder to do what matters most to us — now.

With that in mind, here are some new year's resolutions that we consider to be top ten.

10 - "I just want people to stop worrying so much about the small, meaningless stresses in life and try to remember

that we all have the same fate after it all so do what you can to make your time feel worthy and great, minus the
bullshit." Holly Butcher (1990-2018)

9 - Learn to say "No" or maybe "No thank you."

8 - Do at least one thing, anything, that you've always wanted to do.

7 - Breathe. Take time for you. Schedule it every week or day — even five minutes.

6 - Celebrate your accomplishments.

5 - Enjoy the little things in life: watching the sunset, hearing your favourite song, playing with your kids or pets.

4 - Self care — use what you have available to you (e.g. massage therapy, psychological benefits, going for walks,

yoga, meditation).

3 - Participate (e.g. mass, community events, volunteering, family functions, time with friends, etc.)

2 - Be thankful.

1 - Love one another and spend time with the people you love.

Page 11

Consider applying
for a Bursary!

Each year, bursaries of up to $1,000 are awarded
to members who are engaged in professional
learning activities.

Deadline: May 1, 2018

Learn more at catholicteachers.ca/For-Your-Benefits

Page 12

Consider applying for a
Scholarship or Fellowship!

Each year, there are a variety of scholarships/fellowships
available to members who are pursuing a post-graduate
degree or program of studies.

Deadline: April 1, 2018

Learn more at catholicteachers.ca/For-Your-Benefits

Page 13

HEU Celebrates Catholic Teachers

As we welcome the New Year, our family would like to thank everyone who supported and helped us these
past few years as our son, Morgan, struggled with complex congenital heart disease. We knew we could
always count on our family and friends, but we were amazed by the wonderful support from everyone at the
Halton Catholic District School Board: fellow teachers, administrators, and support staff.

The experience of having a sick child has taught us that kindness and support does not only come from those
you know. The ICU waiting room is filled with families of critically ill children. Different cultures, languages,
and religions are all represented as families spend hours, days, and weeks waiting and hoping for their child to
improve. Complete strangers will offer an ear to listen, food to share, and prayers for one another’s child. You
can feel the sense of community as children recover or as parents deal with the worst possible grief.

We have been blessed that our son was able to receive a heart transplant in time, but we are humbled by the
generosity of our unknown donor family. In the midst of their own personal tragedy, they thought of others
and shared the gift of life. We have come to appreciate that community does not just consist of our
neighbours and family, but of everyone who touches our lives with their compassion and kindness.

Wishing you all a healthy and happy 2018.

Terri-Anne, Chris, Lydia, and Morgan Hawken

Last year, we shared some inspiring stories about how our colleagues reach out, share their gifts, and often inspire
others, and how their actions have helped to facilitate positive change for others.

We look forward to sharing more of these stories with you and highlighting the great initiatives that Halton Elementary
Catholic teachers are involved in relating to social justice and community outreach. These can be activities that are
conducted at school or on personal time.

To send a submission, please email the following details to [email protected].

• Name of Teacher
• School Location
• Personal email or personal phone number to contact
• Is this a school or personal initiative?
• The details of the social justice/community outreach project
• If possible, a picture

Please provide submissions no later than the 15th of each month.

If your submission is chosen for publication, both you and the celebrated teacher will receive a $25 gift card of your
choosing for one of the following: Chapters Indigo, gas, Tim Hortons, Starbucks, LCBO, movies, or grocery.

Page 14

Awards will be presented for the following divisions and
categories in both English and French.

DIVISION CATEGORIES
JK and SK Short Story
Poem
Nonfiction (e.g. reflection or report)

Grades 1-2 Short Story
Poem
Nonfiction (e.g. reflection or report)

Grades 3-4 Short Story
Poem
Nonfiction (e.g. reflection or report)

TEACHERS Grades 5-6 Short Story
ARE INVITED Poem
TO ENCOURAGE Nonfiction (e.g. reflection or report)
THEIR STUDENTS
TO PARTICIPATE Grades 7-8 Short Story
IN THE Poem
201ϳ-201ϴ Play
YOUNG Nonfiction (e.g. essay or report)
AUTHORS
AWARDS/ Grades 9-10 Short Story
PRIX JEUNES Poem
ÉCRIVAINS Play
Nonfiction (e.g. essay, article or report)

Grades 11-12 Short Story
Poem
Play
Nonfiction (e.g. essay, article or report)

. No entry may exceed 3000 words.ġņůŵųŪŦŴġŵũŢŵġťŰġŴŰġŸŪŭŭġţŦġųŦūŦŤŵŦťį

. There are three levels of competition: School, Unit and Provincial. First place winners at
each level advance to the next level.

. Two copies of each individual entry must be submitted, accompanied by an Entry Form,
available from the OECTA Association Representative at your school, completed and
stapled to the front cover of the entry. An authorizing classroom teacher must sign the
Entry Form. Teachers must submit their classesĨġentries to the OECTA Association
Representative by February 1ij, 201Ĺ.

. Each school may submit one entry per category and division to the Unit Level of
competition. Winning school entries must be signed and submitted by the authorizing
OECTA Association. Representative to the local unit office by February 20, 201Ĺ.

. A photo of each of the provincial winners is required for publication in a commemorative
book.

Submit your students’ writing to the contest through your OECTA School
Association Representative with the completed Entry Form.

Page 15

TEACHERS AID TEACHER
ADVISOR
VPHIOYLSEICNATLSRTEUSDTERNATISNTISOF
NEVER A GOOD IDEA

By Joe Pece

Stemming from the results of our recent survey of members, from another student. Physical restraint, however,
the Association has developed a series of recommendations to should always be a last resort. If a student becomes
address the increase in incidents of violence and harassment violent you should use a strong voice to get the
experienced by teachers. The recommendations have been student to stop, isolate the other children in the
captured in a document called Safer Schools for All: Addressing classroom to reduce the danger to those students,
Violence and Harassment Against Teachers, which is included as and call for assistance immediately from the
an insert in this issue of the magazine, and also discussed on principal, the educational assistant, or another
pages 12 and 13. teacher.

You will notice that one of our recommendations calls on the The Association promotes the use of non-physical
government to mandate intervention training for teachers strategies and techniques, and is advocating for
that requires non-physical contact with a student. Why do we teachers to receive training in non-physical
put it this way? For a number of reasons, first and foremost intervention strategies. This training typically
being that there is nothing in the Education Act that specifically includes behavioural support prevention plans that
permits teachers to use physical contact. Teachers have an teachers could utilize without resorting to physical
obligation to exercise reasonable care in protecting all students intervention. There are a variety of non-physical
from harm, even those who may be perpetrating the violence. techniques provided in these trainings that are
Whenever physical contact is made, an investigation is usually intended to remove the danger as the first course
initiated, which puts the teacher at risk of discipline. of action. Some examples of these are identifying
Secondly, teachers who have received non-violent crisis behaviour that can lead to a crisis, recognizing crisis
intervention training, or have some form of restraint-training behaviour, and verbal/non-verbal de-escalation
certification, are held to a higher standard of care than other techniques, just to name a few.
teachers, and are therefore held to a higher standard of
liability. This increase in the duty of care required during crisis In some cases, students will require physical
intervention may result in a trained teacher being subject intervention based on their Individual Education
to more severe consequences than one who is not trained. Plan (IEP). In these cases of aggressive behaviours,
Furthermore, teachers who have completed this training often a safety plan should be implemented, and parents
become the “go to” person in the school when it comes to should be aware of, and agree with, the restraint
restraint, and are called upon to restrain all kinds of students methods in place. The principal should be present
in a wide variety of circumstances. when discussing any parental concerns regarding
Lastly, even though many boards have developed non-violent the safety plan. In most instances, an educational
crisis intervention programs, they have not declared they will assistant should be assigned to actually implement
assume the costs for liabilities assigned to a teacher who the restraint procedures. Teachers must not perform
restrains a student. It is not in a teacher’s best interest to acts of physical restraint, except in an emergency
needlessly expose themselves to legal investigation and/or situation. If this situation puts teachers at ongoing
prosecution by participating in a physical-restraint training risk of harm, in particular because there is a need
program. Beyond the legal implications, teachers have been for a continuous application of restraint, they should
seriously injured while performing such actions. Unfortunately, contact their local OECTA unit or the Provincial
Workplace Safety Insurance Board benefits are often di cult O ce to seek information about a possible health
for those teachers to receive because school boards actively and safety remedy.
oppose compensation for injured teachers.
So what is a teacher to do? Obviously, you cannot stand idle Joe Pece is Department Head in the Counselling and
when a student or group of students might be at risk of harm Member Services department at the OECTA Provincial
Office.

OCTOBER 2017 | CATHOLIC TEACHER 17

Page 16

Why It’s Important to Have Good Representation at the College of Teachers

Why is it important and why should you vote?
The College is the governing body for our profession; they make decisions that affect us
as teachers on a daily basis. Your representatives at the College, the Council, vote on
whether or not to adopt these decisions as part of the rules and practices. Knowing who
is elected to the Council is important so that you can contact them with questions or
comments about what is happening at the OCT.
Did you know that recently the College was trying to increase our OCT fees? The College came to the Council
with a proposal to increase our fees in hopes of paying off the mortgage on the building in which they conduct
business in Toronto. The rationale was that having no mortgage would be better for the public and OCT
members. Many Council members were vocal in stating that the rationale was flawed and that this was not a
good use of our fees. These same College Council members shared the outrage that some OCT members were
expressing about this misguided notion of the fee increase and how to use our money. The motion for this fee
increase was subsequently voted down.
The OCT election is underway and the voting will take place from March 5th until April 9th. The candidate blogs
are online and the profiles will be available in the March Professionally Speaking Magazine.
As an Elementary Teacher who is a member of the College, you can vote for representation in three different
categories:
• one regional part-time/ full-time candidate
• one regional full-time candidate
• one English-language Roman Catholic Board Elementary candidate

The Council election will soon take place. Get to know your candidates and let's all work together to ensure
that your Council representative is working for you!

Yours in Solidarity,
Alicia Nunn-De Luca
HEU 2nd Vice-President
HEU Political Action Chair

Page 17

Page 18

January Health and Safety Tips

Welcome back! While we enjoy the mild temperatures of the January thaw, we need to be aware of potential
dangers of the changes in temperature with respect to water accumulation and ice formation. As snow banks
melt and runoff refreezes, be aware of potentially slippery patches while on duty or walking outdoors. In
addition, be on the lookout for new potholes in the pavement out in the yard and parking lot as these pose a
tripping hazard and can cause a critical injury. Be sure to report any icy areas or new potholes in the pavement
to the custodian for repair and to your Worker Health and Safety Rep.

Health and Safety Reps: Training Update

We have noticed in the past few years that our February Health and Safety Rep training sessions are often
postponed due to inclement weather.

To avoid possible postponement from inclement weather, the February 21st, 2018, Health and Safety Rep
training will be held as a Webex online event.

We are currently arranging this Webex training session and working on the evites. Please ensure that your
personal email has been submitted to the HEU. To provide your personal email, please send it to
[email protected] by February 1, 2018.

We look forward to piloting this online format.

Safe Schools Reporting Forms

Please be diligent in filling out the Safe Schools Reporting Forms when necessary, as per your legal obligation.
Please review December 2017 Halton Highlight’s “Top Ten” for more information about the Safe Schools
Reporting Forms.

In addition, be sure to inform your Worker Health and Safety Rep when you have filled out a Safe Schools
Reporting Form so that it can be reviewed at the next Joint Health and Safety meeting. JHSC meetings are held
quarterly in September, December, March, and June. Agendas and minutes of these meetings are posted on
your school’s Health and Safety Bulletin Board in the staff room.

Krista Hutchinson
HEU OECTA Health and Safety Chair
HEU Treasurer

Page 19

TEACHERS AID TEACHER
ADVISOR

VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE

What happens when a teacher is the victim?

By Joe Pece

PHOTO: © Lightspring / Shutterstock.com • The parent or guardian should be
informed.
Over the past 15 years, there have been a Where a potentially violent situation has
number of legislative changes intended been identified and cannot be eliminated, • The student should subsequently not
to address violence in Ontario schools. specific protective measures should be be assigned to the teacher’s classes.
Unfortunately, these changes have not developed. This usually involves modifying In the event that the assaulted member
stopped incidences of violence. OECTA’s existing practices or written procedures is not a teacher of the student, the
Counselling and Member Services to conform to the board’s violence prevention principal shall, in consultation with
Department still receives calls from policy as required under the OHSA. the member, develop a strategy to
teachers who are victims of violence. When acts of violence are perpetuated by ensure the student and member are
More often than not, the aggressor is a a student, the Behaviour, Discipline and not in close proximity during the
student. However, a teacher can also be Safety section of the Education Act school day.
victimized by a colleague, administrator governs the discipline of students.
or parent. Steps to Take • In the cases where the student is
Assault is an act of verbal aggression, or If a teacher has su ered an assault in the identified as special needs, there may
an act or threat of physical aggression, workplace, the following steps should be be mitigating factors that limit the
which produces damaging or hurtful taken: discipline imposed on the student. This
results. By definition, acts of workplace • The assailant is to be removed from the does not limit the development of a
violence fall under the Occupational strategy involving parents, teachers
Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and must presence of the teacher immediately. and administration, in order to address
be reported and investigated. • The teacher is to receive immediate recurring incidents of violence by that
Workers’ Rights particular student.
All workers have the right to a safe and medical attention where warranted.
healthy workplace, and the responsibility • The incident should be reported • The teacher should document what
for providing and maintaining this safe took place before, during and after
workplace belongs to the employer. All immediately to the administration and the assault, including the names of
workers also have the right to know the police. If the police have not been witnesses. The teacher should ensure
about hazards in their workplace and notified, the teacher should do so. that the appropriate safe schools and/
safe procedures. Employers must provide • The teacher should contact the local or violent incident reporting forms are
training programs to all workers to enable OECTA Unit President and the OECTA filled out and provided to the principal.
them to identify any hazard in their health and safety representative.
workplace and to help them perform • If the investigation establishes that • The teacher should visit a doctor and
their work in a safe manner. an assault has taken place and that report any injury. The doctor should
the assailant is a student in that school, complete Form 8 with the Workplace
the student should be immediately Safety Insurance Board (WSIB). If the
suspended from school. teacher requires time o from teaching
duties it should be without loss of pay
or sick days. The administration should
file a Form 7 with WSIB to claim
workers’ compensation. If the
administration does not file a Form 7,
the teacher has the right to file a Form
6 with the WSIB.

Further information related to Safe
Schools and Health and Safety can be
found in the Members’ Centre on the
OECTA website at www.oecta.on.ca.

Joe Pece is the Department Head for the
Counselling and Member Services Department
at OECTA Provincial Office.

18 OECTA | DECEMBER 2015

Page 20

In Memoriam Jan 2018

Our sincere sympathy and prayers go out to the following members,
as well as to their family and friends:

Violet Petis, mother of Sandy Fulton, a Primary Team member at St. Luke Catholic Elementary School in Oakville, passed away
on Friday, December 1, 2017.

Cora Erb, mother of Sharon Bilinski, a DECE at St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Burlington and grandmother of
Amanda Bilinski, a mathematics Teacher at Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School in Milton, passed away on Saturday,
December 2, 2017.

Carolyn Mary DesCotes, mother of Samira LaPlante, a Grade 2 teacher at Lumen Christi Catholic Elementary School in Milton,
passed away on Friday, December 15, 2017.

John Douglas McCarthy, father of Cheryl Bredin, a Grade 1 teacher at St. Raphael Catholic Elementary School in Burlington,
passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2017.

Maryann Pizzimenti, mother of Lisa Filipiak, an elementary teacher at St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School in Oakville,
and mother-in-law of Jakub Filipiak, an elementary teacher at St. Brigid Catholic Elementary School in Georgetown, passed
away on Monday, December 18, 2017.

Patricia Fisher, mother of Lisa Soroko, a Grade 2/3 teacher at St. Michael Catholic Elementary School in Oakville, passed away
on Friday, December 22, 2017.

Krys Binkley, a former Burlington Trustee of the Halton Catholic District School Board (1985-1997), who served as both Chair
and Vice-Chair of the English Section of the Board for a term each, and mother of Marissa Pitt, an elementary Special Educa-
tion Resource Teacher (SERT) at St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Burlington, passed away on January 1, 2018.

Robert Andrew (Bob) Tallevi, father of Jason Tallevi, a Grade 8 teacher at St. Andrew Catholic Elementary School in Oakville
and father-in-law of Debbie Tallevi, a Grade 3/4 teacher at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Elementary School in Burlington,
passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2018.

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New Year Prayer

It’s 2018! Happy New Year! We all know that ringing in a new year means reflecting on the year that has just
finished and thinking ahead about the year that is beginning. It’s a time for clean slates, fresh starts, and
renewed goals. So, why not pause, take a deep breath, and begin this year with a prayer? Let’s do it together!

Dear Lord,

We pray that this New Year will bring us closer to You.
May we take the time to get to know You.
Help us to truly celebrate the gifts You have graciously given us
and use them to serve You and spread Your word,

May we also see and love you in all the people we meet,
so that in turn, they can see You in us.

We know that all human relations take time
if they are to grow and deepen.
This is also true of our relations with You,
the Father and the Holy Spirit,
which must grow over the course of our lives.
In this new year,
let us realise that every action of ours
no matter how great or small
enables us to be in touch with You.
Let us accept You in our lives,
in the way it pleases You,
as Truth, to be spoken,
as Life, to be lived,
as Light, to be lighted,
as Love, to be followed,
as Joy, to be given,
as Peace, to be spread about,
as Sacrifice, to be offered among our relatives,
friends, neighbours and all people.

Amen.

www.catholicdoors.com

Jill Mercer
HEU Executive Councillor

Page 22

Canadian winters can be beautiful, but treacherous too.

Winter can be beautiful. It’s hard not to see the beauty in a field covered with a blanket of fresh snow,
especially when the ice glistens in the morning sun. Lately, however, Canadians have been faced with more
frequent extreme weather conditions.
Ice storms have been blamed for some of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. They can lead to
massive damage to trees and electrical infrastructure, leading to widespread long-term power outages.
Other dangers include hypothermia, fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, which can occur when people use
alternative heating sources during periods of extended power failures.
It’s important to know how you can take preventive measures and reduce the risks for you and your family.
To learn more, visit www.OTIPinsurance.com/Article17

Get a $25 Indigo or TJX Gift Card* from #OTIP when you get a car or home quote! *Restrictions apply
bit.ly/2gNOdqx

Page 23

GREATWant to recognize aWTOERAKCHER

who does
in their school?

Nominate in one of three categories:
elementary, secondary, or a
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years of teaching.

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Recognition and another $1,000
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for their school.

Visit www.teachingawards.ca

Nominations close March 31, 2018

Page 24

Voulez-vous reconnaître un membre du

PERSONNEL ENSEIGNANT
qui fait un EXCELLENT TRAVAIL

dans son école?

Proposer une candidature dans l’une
des trois catégories suivantes : « élémentaire »,
« secondaire » et « personnel enseignant
débutant » comptant moins de cinq
années d’enseignement.
Les récipiendaires reçoivent un prix personnel de
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école reçoit également un prix de 1 000 $ et un
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Visitez teachingawards.ca/fr

Clôture des candidatures : 31 mars 2018

Page 25

Page 26

2017-2018 OECTA Events

Blue Jays Game Saturday, September 9, 2017

Halton OT Welcome and Social Monday, September 18, 2017
Paint Night Thursday, October 12, 2017
Getting Hired Workshop Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Unit General Meeting Thursday, October 26, 2017
Volleyball November 2017

Floor Hockey November 2017

Maternity and Parental Leave Workshop Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Unit General Meeting Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Skating and Santa Sunday, December 3, 2017

Pension Workshop January 2018
Unit General Meeting Thursday, February 22, 2018

Coldest Night of the Year Walk Saturday, February 24, 2018

Bowling in the North April 2018
3 on 3 Basketball April 2018

Maternity and Parental Leave Workshop Wednesday, April 11, 2018

OTIP Retirement Workshop Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Unit AGM Thursday, May 24, 2018

OECTA Recognition Night Thursday, May 24, 2018

Come Out and Get Involved in YOUR OECTA!

More Iinformation can be found in Halton Highlights and on the
website under Information Updates at www.haltonoecta.ca.
Follow us on Twitter @oectaheu.

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