Halton Highlights - September / October 2018

Halton Highlights

October 2018

October 2018

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

30 1 23 45 6

Step 2 Burlington Meeting with PA Faith Day
Grievance Meeting Trustee All Director
Candidates Happy World
Milton Trustee Meeting Oakville Trustee Teachers Day!
All Candidates All Candidates
LTD Meetings

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Happy Arbitration Staff/CBC Rep HEU Executive
Thanksgiving Training Meeting #4
Policy Meeting
Committee
Meeting

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Human Rights/ Getting Hired Beginning Beginning
Status of Women Workshop Teachers Teachers
Committee Conference
Meeting Board Meeting Health & Safety
Rep I & T session

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Municipal Maternity/ Legislation UGM #1 Arbitration
Election Paternal Leave Committee Focus: Unit Audit
Day Workshop Meeting and Budge

28 29 30 31 1 2 3

H & S Regionals Step 2 Arbitration
HEU Paint Night Grievance Meeting
Happy
Halloween!

Page 1

Nina March, President
Halton Elementary OECTA

2018 Municipal Election – October 22

Did you know that HCDSB employees have endorsed Catholic School Board Trustees in each
of our communities? These trustees have committed to: focusing on our students and school communities,
ensuring stakeholder feedback is sought and considered, and positively promoting publicly funded, Catholic
Education.
*If you’re able to volunteer for any of the employee endorsed candidates, please contact the HEU.

Page 2

Save the Dates

• Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Staff/CBC Rep Meeting #1

Training and Information Session
4:30 p.m. at the HEU Office - #113 – 980 Fraser Drive, Burlington, ON

• Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Getting Hired Workshop

Limit of 30 participants (see poster for registration info)
4:30 p.m. at the HEU Office - #113 – 980 Fraser Drive, Burlington, ON

• Thursday, October 18, 2018
Health and Safety Rep Face to Face

4:30 p.m. at the HEU Office - #113 – 980 Fraser Drive, Burlington, ON

• Monday, October 22, 2018
Municipal Election

Get out and vote for Catholic School Board Trustees!

• Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Maternity/Parental Leave Workshop (see poster for registration info)

4:30 p.m. at the HEU Office - #113 – 980 Fraser Drive, Burlington, ON

• Thursday, October 25, 2018
Unit General Meeting #1

Focus: Budget
4:30 p.m. at the HEU Office - #113 – 980 Fraser Drive, Burlington, ON

• Monday, October 29, 2018
HEU Paint Night

Limit 20 participants (information is coming soon)
4:30 p.m. at the HEU Office - #113 – 980 Fraser Drive, Burlington, ON
*Registration date: TBA

Page 3

Collective Bargaining is on the Horizon. What can you do?:

I have had members contact me to ask what they can do to prepare for the upcoming round of Provincial and
Local Collective Bargaining. They are nervous because they have witnessed the actions and listened to the
commentary of Premier Ford and his government over the past few months.

Our Collective Agreements expire August 31, 2019 and from what we have heard and seen from this Provincial
government so far, we can expect that this upcoming round of bargaining in 2019 will be very challenging.
We’re all in this together; the following are important things that you can do to prepare.

• If you wish to be prepared for all eventualities, you may choose to start putting a set amount of
money aside each pay period in a TFSA or a “Just in Case” account. If there is a point during
the bargaining process where there is a strike, or we are locked out and you need to access
emergency funds, the money will be there. If the cautionary saving proves unnecessary, you
now have a nest egg, or you can splurge – whatever you choose.

• It is also important that you engage in the collective. This includes being aware during the
Collective Bargaining process and/or responding information surveys sent by the HEU or the
Association. These surveys provide valuable information for upcoming bargaining.

• It is important that both the HEU and the Association have your up-to-date personal contact
information. Your personal contact information that you give the school board is given to the
Union and updated on a monthly basis. Please ensure that the school board has your up-to-
date contact information. You must provide your personal email address to both the Unit
and to the Association. For the most part this is how we communicate with members to
ensure confidentiality. You can provide your personal email to the HEU by going to
www.haltonoecta.ca and completing the pop-up box. To provide your personal email to OECTA
Provincial go to www.catholicteachers.ca and update your profile in the members’ area.

• Read your Union emails and get to know your school-based OECTA Staff/CBC and Health and
Safety representatives. Take opportunities to attend meetings and social events to get to know
your HEU Executive, as well.

• It is important that you know your rights under the Collective Agreement and follow them. They
detail your working conditions, salary, and responsibilities. If you have any questions, please
contact the Unit office.

• It is critical that you do not assume the work of other labour groups because you could put them
at risk of being out of work and the added work could end up being yours. Protecting good-
paying jobs for workers ensures a strong community and a strong economy.

• Do not violate the Collective Agreement rights of other HEU members, Occasional Teacher
members, or members of other Union groups.

• Be politically aware and politically active. That means making an informed vote in Municipal,
Provincial and Federal elections. For some of us it may include walking a picket line with
workers from other unions or attending a rally. For all of us it should mean supporting both
Provincial and Local bargaining teams, reading upcoming tentative Collective Agreements,
and participating in ratification votes.

Page 4

Finally, it is important that as we prepare for the upcoming rounds of bargaining that our employers know what
is most important to teachers so that they can anticipate what will be in our initial proposals. This is
accomplished by the local unit in a variety of ways, such as discussions at meetings with:
Discussions at meetings including:

• Joint Staffing
• Joint PD
• Labour Management
• Joint Health and Safety
• Conversations with the director and supervisory officers through the grievance arbitration process
• Responses to memos and policies
We are aware and have previously informed you that provincially, school boards are coming after sick leave
provisions and have (for years) funded the School Boards’ Co-operative Inc. to lobby the government to cut
sick leave benefits. Among other things, the SBCI “provides financial analysis of disability benefits including
sick leave utilization studies” with no explanation about the data collection, statistical method used nor analysis
of data. In short, they provide no opportunity for study review nor oversight. OECTA is challenging and has
challenged the validity of these studies.
In our own school board, an issue that comes up again and again has to do with teacher Professional
Judgement. This was a provision that was fought for teachers and very specifically written.
Teacher Professional Judgement is owned by each individual teacher. Teachers have the right to exercise
their own Professional Judgement, which includes, choosing which diagnostic assessments (from the board’s list

of approved diagnostic assessments and other diagnostic assessments approved by your principal, which should include

those identified in the Growing Success document) they will use, which students to test, and when the tests will be
conducted. As professionals, teachers know that they have to assess students.
Administrators have the right to ask for diagnostic assessments. When they do, teachers will provide them with the
diagnostic assessments that they have completed. Some teachers may choose to complete ORRs on their entire
class and will submit that data; one or two teachers may decide to complete ORRs on the six (6) students who
demonstrate great difficulty retelling stories that they have read independently and those teachers will submit that
data; another teacher may complete DRAs on five (5) students who are demonstrating reading behaviours that
appear to be far below the expected bench marks and will provide that diagnostic data to the administrator.
Professional Judgement is not to be judged by colleagues – one colleague does not get to impose his/her
professional judgment on other teaching colleagues.

Page 5

Colleagues cannot “vote” to have the entire teaching staff or a division at their school complete a specific
diagnostic assessment nor can they “vote” to submit class sets of diagnostic data by a specific date – even if your
administrator makes you believe that it is a great idea and/or even if your administrator makes you believe that
voting on this is allowed under the Collective Agreement. To be clear, if this is happening, it is not harmless.
You are being used by your administrator because he/she believes that you being complicit will protect him/her
from a grievance. Your administrator knows that he/she is violating teachers’ rights – your rights under your
Collective Agreement. When you agree to help your administrator violate any provision under the CA, that is
considered bargaining outside of the “collective” and it is a violation of the OECTA Handbook and the Ontario
Labour Relations Act. It also violates the Collective Agreement rights of your teaching colleagues and has the
potential to create a “past practice” which benefits the school board and weakens your CA rights.

If this is happening at your school, please inform the Unit as soon as possible because we must protect
provisions under the Collective Agreement in order to protect your rights. If rights are not protected, it could be
difficult to maintain them, for everyone; Province-wide.

On that happy note, as I sit here writing this in the wee hours of the morning, I cannot help but feel
blessed.
As a Catholic teacher in this province and as a person who represents Catholic teachers in our own
corner of it, I know the work we do is important, valuable, and critical and I know that sometimes it is
very difficult. Experience has taught me that when we work together and support each other without
judgement we are stronger, more engaged, happier and healthier.
Regarding bargaining, while I do have a sense of déjà vu and a sense that history may be repeating
itself. I am ready because I know that we are in this together and I know where history has taken us.

This is the calm, the time to support each other, and to prepare. It is the time to connect with each
other and continue building a strong community. In times that are celebratory and times that are
challenging we need each other. Pope Francis said, "Let us help each other, all together, to remember
that the 'other' is not a statistic, or a number. We all need each other."
I’m thankful for this time, this calm. I am thankful for the “we” that I am blessed to be with, is all of you.
On behalf of the Halton Elementary Unit Executive we wish all of you a blessed and peaceful
Thanksgiving with those you love ~ your “we.”

Blessings,

Nina

Nina March, President, Halton Elementary OECTA
[email protected]

Page 6

Tara’s Topic of the Month – New Beginnings

September is a time of new beginnings and activities. With that can come new opportunities.
Now is the best time to set routines for you and your students. While focusing on the classroom
routine, also think about your own routine and what that will look like this year. There are
endless possibilities on how to get involved in your school and Association for your own
wellbeing.

When the “sign up sheet” was passed around amongst staff at the beginning of the year you may have looked it
over and felt interested in a sport, club or activity. Remember that you do not have to sign up or volunteer to
take on any additional responsibilities or activities beyond the role of a teacher. Extracurricular activities are
voluntary. If you do decide to volunteer in your school be sure to give your time to a sport, club or activity in
which you enjoy because it is your personal time that you are giving up! Also remember we are teachers 24/7
and therefore are held to a higher standard.

When taking the time to determine whether or not you would like to volunteer your time this year don’t forget
about OECTA. There are numerous opportunities to volunteer and participate within your local and provincial
Unit. At the local level the HEU looks for OECTA Staff and CBC Reps at each school. This is a great opportunity to
get involved and stay informed with the Association. Besides being OECTA reps, you can sit on a committee at
the local level or attend workshops, meetings, PD sessions and social events. This is a great way to become
involved in your Association, meet new people and to learn more about your Union and what it can do for you!

Provincially, OECTA is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year. What better time to get to know your
Association and how you can become involved. Provincial offers numerous AQ Courses, conferences and
workshops throughout the year and every March the Provincial AGM is held over the beginning of the March
Break. This year to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the organization, the AGM will be taking place in Ottawa,
rather than Toronto. If you are interested in being a part of the local delegation submit your name for
consideration to the HEU.

Throughout September teachers often focus on their students and classroom, however this is the time to also
set routines for yourself and to take up new hobbies and activities. Your health and well-being is just as import-
ant as your students, so start the year by making time for yourself and your family and make that time a part of
your routine.

Yours in Solidarity,

Tara Hambly

Page 7

Page 8

TEACHERS AID TEACHER
ADVISOR

IYMOPUORRDTUATNYT TCOHARNEGPOESRTTO

By Joe Pece

On April 30, the Child and Family Services There is some concern that a failure to
Act (CFSA) was repealed and replaced report a situation that would, but for the
with the Child, Youth and Family Services age of the child, give rise to a mandatory
Act, 2017 (CYFSA). With this, a key duty to report, could potentially lead to
change was made regarding your “duty to a complaint to the Ontario College of
report.” Teachers, and/or other consequences.

The definition of a “child” remains the While members are not required by law
same as under the CFSA: a person under to report potential protection concerns
the age of 18. However, children aged 16 relating to 16- or 17-year-olds, you might
and 17 used to be excluded from the have a hard time defending a decision
duty to report. Now, a person may make not to report, as teachers owe a general
a report for a 16- or 17-year-old, if it is duty of care to all students.
warranted, and circumstances or It is also worth noting that, if convicted,
conditions outlined in the legislation are the fine for members breaching the duty
met. to report is now $5,000 – up from the
This could have a direct e ect on previous $1,000.
secondary level teachers, as it opens You can review the full Act at,
the door to reports to the Children’s bit.ly/2L2JP0G.
Aid Society (CAS) regarding potential
protection concerns, or allegations Joe Pece is Department Head in the
concerning teachers’ conduct toward Counselling and Member Services department
students who are 16 or 17. at the OECTA Provincial Office.
In addition, if teachers become aware
of a 16- or 17-year-old student who they
suspect is in need of protection for
reasons noted in the legislation, you
may now make a report to the CAS. This
would include situations in which a
teacher is concerned about a colleague’s
conduct toward a 16- or 17-year-old.

When in doubt, report As always, contact your local OECTA unit if you have
While the report is not mandatory with questions or concerns, and if not available, the Provincial
respect to a 16- or 17-year-old who is Office at 1-800-268-7230.
suspected of being in need of protection
under the Act, members are advised
to err on the side of caution: report
to the CAS, and leave it up to them
to determine whether they need to
investigate.

Page 9

TEACHERS AID TEACHER
ADVISOR

PAC in Action

Municipal Elections in Halton at a Glance

MEDICATION AND
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

By Joe Pece

By September 2018, school boards will reasonable safety procedures. Regulation naloxone or insulin, or other medical
be required to develop plans for students 298 of the Education Act requires teachers procedures such as blood testing, it can
with asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and/or to ensure that all reasonable safety be di cult for you to know precisely when
risk of anaphylaxis. There has also been a procedures are carried out in courses and and how to take action, even if you have
great deal of recent media attention on activities for which the teacher is responsible. received some training. Without explicit
the growing opioid crisis in Ontario, and In 2006, Sabrina’s Law made teachers legal protection, there is simply too much
the possibility of having naloxone kits responsible for the administration of an risk that you will be held liable should
available in schools and administered by Epi-pen if a student is experiencing a something go wrong. You also need to
teachers. severe allergic reaction. A teacher might consider the safety and well-being of all
Given these developments, I thought it be the subject of a criminal investigation of the other students in your classroom.
timely to restate the Association’s position if the failure or refusal to administer an
on the provision of life-saving medical Epi-pen is considered criminally negligent, There are several local collective agreements
care by teachers. or amounts to a failure to provide the clearly stipulating that no teacher shall
Duty of care necessities of life. Collective agreements be required to carry out procedures such
Teachers, along with other school sta may have provisions limiting a member’s as feeding or toileting. But regardless of
and administration, as well as board sta , responsibility for performing medical whether this language is in your local
have a “duty of care,” which is a legal procedures of any sort, but in an emergency collective agreement, you are advised not
obligation to protect students from situation the member may have to to perform these types of activities on
reasonably foreseeable risks of injury or administer the Epi-pen because of the your students. In addition to the liability
harm. All can be held liable if they fail to life threatening nature of anaphylaxis. issues should something go wrong, the
meet this duty. The liability comes in Also, since 2015, Ryan’s Law has required physical contact required to provide these
acting without proper care, which can be all school boards to have an asthma policy types of medical and physical procedures
a result of action or inaction, depending in place to support students with asthma. also puts teachers at risk of allegations of
on the circumstances. In the case of a In response to an emergency situation, inappropriate touching and/or charges of
student who needs medication, for teachers should use their professional professional misconduct at the Ontario
example, ensuring that the student judgment to determine the best course of College of Teachers.
receives the medication falls under this action, be it calling 911, calling the o ce, When in doubt, seek help
duty of care. administering an Epi-pen, or contacting The Association is committed to
School administration and the student’s the designated first aid provider in the minimizing the risks to teachers who
teacher share the responsibility in di erent school. might be involved in the oversight,
ways. If a student requires medical care Uncertain territory administration, or maintenance of
in order to attend school, the principal Although these legal requirements are in medical procedures. If school administration
must ensure that the required medical place, we are wary of placing any additional requests that you administer medication
care is available and that appropriate expectations on teachers to respond to or any medical procedures, you should
procedures are put in place. Teachers, medical issues. Teachers are trained to respectfully decline. If an administrator
however, are required to ensure that the teach – we are not health care providers. is directing you, ask for the direction in
procedures put in place are adhered to, The Association has made it very clear writing and contact your local OECTA
and that reasonable steps are taken to that teachers should not be required to unit o ce or the OECTA Provincial O ce.
ensure the safety of students under their dispense medication to their students, or The Association can provide advice and
charge. The “standard of care,” or the undertake activities that fall in the realm direction depending on the particular
degree of prudence or caution required, of medical care. This is even stipulated situation and the local circumstances.
is that of a careful or prudent parent, and in some local collective agreements. While we all want to protect our students
also would vary depending on the Indeed, it is the job of school administration from harm, it is important that we also
circumstances. to establish procedures to meet the needs take care of ourselves.
Emergency situations of students that do not rely primarily on
In an emergency situation, it is a legal the classroom teacher. Joe Pece is Department Head in the
requirement for teachers to provide When it comes to the administration of Counselling and Member Services department
at the OECTA Provincial Office.

Page 10

PAC in Action
Municipal Elections in Halton at a Glance

With the Provincial election months behind us we embark on another election season in the
Halton region. On October 22, Halton Region voters will head to the polls again for a municipal
election. Did you know about the election? Have you ever voted in a municipal election?
Who are you voting for? How does your vote matter?
If your answer to the first two questions is “no,” you are not alone. The average Ontario municipal voter turnout
rate is 43.12%, which needs to change. The people you are voting for in a municipal election are elected to run
the city/town/ward you call home, and most importantly the Catholic trustees you elect will run our school
board.
I know I care about who is elected and entrusted to care for the well-being of the future of HCDSB. The Sanctity
of Life motion of last year is not past us and is still very much discussed in the media and teacher social circles,
and not in a good way. This policy is scheduled to be revisited by HCDSB trustees at an October meeting at the
board office.
Voting for your HCDSB trustee is an important and unique role that you get to have in forming the future of
HCDSB for the next four years. Who is running and what positions are they hoping to be elected to? Your Halton
Region Municipal Election 2018 cheat sheet for candidates running for mayor and HCDSB trustee positions is
here! For more information about those running in our city and wards for local and regional councillor positions,
please visit the websites provided on the elections cheat sheet for a full list of candidates. Help support the
candidates you want to see elected by getting in contact with them and volunteering to help their campaign.
Every vote counts in an election. Now more than ever expressing your opinion and values through voting
matters!
Victoria Lipinski
HEU Executive Counsellor & Political Action Committee, Chair

Page 11

PAC Chart

City Full List of Candidates Mayor HCDSB Trustees
Halton (Regional Councillor, Local Councillor, HDSB Trustee,
Hills Rick Bonette Daniel Dragicevic
Conseil Scholar, Conseil Scolaire Catholique) 154 Tyler Ave Acton, ON L7J 1V3 (C) 905-302-7336
Milton https://www.haltonhills.ca/elections/CandidatesList.php (H) 519-853-4203 [email protected]
[email protected]
Janet O'Hearn-Czarnota
James Walderbusser (H) 905-872-5075
5 Ostrander Blvd Halton Hills, ON L7G 1Z2 (C) 905-872-5075
[email protected] [email protected]

Robert Gottardi  1 position
2 May Street Halton Hills, ON L7G 5T9
(H) 905-873-9362
[email protected]

https://www.milton.ca/en/elections/candidates.aspx  Wasim Ahmed  Samantha Attew
o Roseheath Drive, Milton ON. L9T 4V6
1004 Holdsworth Crescent, Milton, ON. o [email protected]
o
o L9T 0C3 o Kanakam Davis
o Barclay Circle, Milton On.
 Home: 905-875-1712,  [email protected]

o Cell: 416-877-4445  Patrick Murphy
[email protected] o 691 Auger Terrace, Milton ON. L9T 5M2
o [email protected]
o o Cell: 416-791-8126
o
 Mian Amir Naeem  Marvin Duarte
 10756 Nassagaweya Moffat ON. L0P 1J0
o 140 Savoline Boulevard, Milton, ON. L9T  [email protected],
o www.marvinduarte.ca
8G1 o Cell: 416-559-9327
Cell: 647-469-0159 o
Korin Abdelsayed
[email protected], o 890 Jempson Path, Milton, ON. L9T 0Z5
www.mianamirnaeem.ca  [email protected],
korinabdelsayed.com
 Cell: 905-399-1083

Gord Krantz o Bob Grynol
116 King Street, Milton, ON. L9T 1J9 o 106-137 Martin Street, Milton, ON. L9T 5H4
[email protected] ,
Home: 905-878-9423 o www.deaconbobgrynol.ca

o





o

o

o

o





o

o

o

Page 12

Oakville https://elections.oakville.ca/registered-candidates.html Rob Burton o
Cell: 905-483-1762  2 positions
Home: 905-338-1200
[email protected] Peter DeRosa
www.robburton.org Cell: 416-938-2529
[email protected]
Julia Hanna www.derosa4trustee.ca
[email protected]
www.juliahanna.ca Nancy Guzzo
Cell: 905-902-1000
John McLaughlin
Cell: 905-808-2314 Helena Karabela
[email protected] Cell: 905-510-1849
[email protected]

Jeff Mamer
Cell: 289-772-7555
[email protected]
www.jeffmamer.com

Giuseppe Peritore
[email protected]

Anthony Quinn
Home: 905-338-3919
[email protected]

Chris Saunders
Cell: 905-580-5875
[email protected]

Ante Skoko
Cell: 647-829-8747

 3 positions

Page 13

Burlington https://www.burlington.ca/en/your-city/registered- Rick Goldring Brenda Agnew
candidates.asp 524 Wicklow Rd., Burlington, L7L 2H8 905-505-0303
905-320-3656 [email protected]
Regional Chair: [email protected]
 Gary Carr www.rickgoldring.ca Jason Crawford
905-467-3751
[email protected] Marianne Meed Ward [email protected]
garycarr.ca 497 Martha St., Burlington, ON, L7R 2R1
 Anne Marsden 905-335-1899 Briana Hamlet
308-1425 Ghent Ave., Burlington ON, L7S 1X5 [email protected] 905-220-6383
Telephone: 905-467-2860 mariannemeedward.ca
[email protected] Kathleen Hauwert
Mike Wallace 956 Filman Place, Burlington, ON, L7T 2K6
268 Tuck Dr., Burlington, ON, L7L 2R1 905-536-9139
Home phone: 905-639-0185 [email protected]
Fax: 905-634-9822
[email protected] Vincent Iantomasi
www.mikewallaceformayor.ca 905-529-6155
[email protected]
Greg Woodruff
1235 Fairview St., Suite 128, Burlington, Danielle C. Ingram
ON 905-407-7109
905-592-1926 [email protected]
gregwoodruff.com
Declan Keogh
289-776-9311
[email protected]

Maria Lourenco
905-808-5910
[email protected]

Joel MacLeod
[email protected]

Benjamin Mathew
Foxwood Dr., Burlington
905-515-2499
[email protected]
www.benjaminmathew.org

Tim O'Brien
565 Guelph Line, Unit 16
905-632-2954
289-795-2954
[email protected]
www.timobrienfortrustee.ca

Michelle Perrone-Bonavita
[email protected]
https://sites.google.com/view/trustee-campaign-
2018/home

Jenna Staskovich
[email protected]

 3 positions

Page 14

Maternity/Parental Leave Workshop

Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Where: HEU Office, Unit 113 – 980 Fraser Drive, Burlington
When: 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Come learn about:

• How Bill 148 has incorporated changes to existing leaves: maternity (12
v/s 18 months) and parental leaves (37* v/s 63 weeks*).

*Parental leave only, no pregnancy leave taken

• Benefits entitlements, seniority, job protection, and other rights and
provisions under the Collective Agreement.

• Pension buy back and more
Bring your questions!!
This very popular workshop fills up quickly so be sure to RSVP your attendance
to [email protected] by Tuesday, October 16, 2018.
Spouses are welcome.
Light refreshments will be provided.
We look forward to seeing you!

Page 15

Getting Hired Workshop

For all Halton Elementary Occasional Teachers

Tuesday, October 16, 2018
4:30 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
HEU Office

Unit 113 – 980 Fraser Drive, Burlington

Register by Tuesday, October 9 to: [email protected]

Page 16

Health and Safety Minute:
Mental Health is About Capacity

Hopefully everyone had an enjoyable and relaxing summer vacation.
While we have all recently returned from a well-deserved break, we need to remember to take the time we
need throughout the year to recharge and take care of ourselves.
On September 17, we had a half day Professional Development session in support of our mental health. The
HEU is interested in knowing if members found the information and resources discussed in this session
worthwhile.
Every day we hear words in reference to mental health that are related to specific diagnosis and while these are
important conversations, mental health is also about capacity - our capacity to handle all the competing
demands that are in our lives at one time. Everyone’s capacity is different, and as life changes, this can affect
our classrooms as well.
It is important that we know when we need to take a coffee break or go for a walk at lunch to get a change of
scenery and clear our heads. It is also important to give ourselves permission to take those needed breaks and
not feel that we are letting others down when we do so.
To that end, we need to be mindful of the capacity of others and promote a positive culture around self-care.
We also need to be respectful when others decline opportunities to take on additional responsibilities.
We are all in this together and devote our days to our students. To do this well, we need to devote some time
to ourselves and that’s okay.
In Solidarity,
Krista Hutchinson
HEU Executive Treasurer &
HEU Health and Safety Chairperson

Page 17

Occasional Teachers Update

I’d like to wish a warm welcome to all the new educators who have joined the board as
Occasional Teachers and are new Halton Elementary Unit members. I am your representative
on the OECTA, Halton Elementary Unit Executive.

Here are a few things you need to know as you begin:

• The Halton Elementary Unit sends important information to members regularly through personal email
addresses. Please provide your non-board, personal email address by using this link
https://www.haltonoecta.ca/

• The OECTA provincial office also needs your personal contact information, including: your personal email,
personal phone number, and current address. You can provide these by following this link http://www.
catholicteachers.ca/ and going into the members’ area to update your profile.

• On a single day assignment, or the first day of a multi-day assignment, you are not required to do any super
vision prior to the first bell at a school. Use this time to become familiar with the building and the plans left
for you.

• If you are travelling between schools over the lunch hour you are not required to do any supervision during
the lunch at either school. Just let the administrator, at the morning school know that you have an afternoon
assignment.

• Save the date for the “Getting Hired” workshop on Tuesday, October 16 at 4:30 p.m. at the Halton
Elementary office.

We are here to support and help you. Please feel free to contact the Unit office at 905-335-6660 or
1-800-610-4299 with any questions or concerns.
Wishing you a great year!

Anne McNeill
Occasional Teacher Rep
HEU Executive

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Top Ten Reasons to Vote for Catholic Trustees in the Municipal Election

10. Trustee elections make up the lowest percentage of votes in municipal elections

9. If you’re not paying attention to trustees’ actions, comments and voting patterns at board meetings, and
you’re not engaging in the election process then you allow school board trustees to have a lot of power with
very little accountability.

8. Now is the time to hold incumbent Catholic School trustees accountable for their actions/performances
over the last four years.

7. Now you have the power as a voter. Learn Catholic School trustee candidates’ platforms and where they
stand on important issues. Make an informed vote.

6. Every vote counts! Trustees can and have won elections by just a few votes. (Alice Anne LeMay lost to
Helena Kerabela in the last Municipal election by just nine votes).

5. Trustees hire the Director of the school board and they also approve promotions, retirements, resignations,
and hiring of teaching staff.

4. Trustees vote to ratify Collective Agreements, engage in the Collective Bargaining process at the Central
table, vote on school board budgets, and can vote to reallocate discretionary funds.

3. Trustees address the complaints, concerns, and issues/needs of constituents/ratepayers and stakeholders.

2. Trustees create, revise, and vote on the implementation of policies and procedures that directly affect your
working conditions and the running of the school board.

1. Catholic Trustees are supposed to act as guardians of Catholic Education and are supposed to positively
promote publically funded, Catholic Education. (Unfortunately, in Halton, some trustees have ignored this
responsibility and instead have used their elected positions as a political forum to push personal agendas at
the board table, in your classrooms and in the media).

Who will you trust with the important responsibilities for decision making and stewardship?

Exercise your right to choose. Vote for a Catholic School Trustee on October 22, 2018.

HEU

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Jill Mercer

September i th star of new schoo year, new student , new colleague , new b e of
consumabl order , new lunc bag , new haircut , an new beginning i man differen shape an s e .

New beginnings allow us to start fresh; from square one or with a clean slate. All ideas and plans are possible,
and we are filled with optimism and hope. What God challenges us to realize though is that new beginnings
and fresh starts don’t have to wait for the start of the new year; every morning can be a new beginning. In the
Old Testament, the Book of Lamentations (3:22-23), we are reminded that “because of the LORD’s great love
we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
We are challenged to leave the broken pieces of yesterday in yesterday and start each new day whole. This is
not easy to do but when we take time to stop and breathe and to ask God for his strength and guidance, each
new day can begin to feel a little more like a fresh start. When we choose to be optimistic, we choose to feel
better each day.
** In the June issue I put out a challenge to see if the members of HEU could come up with 104 summer
blessings. Now is the time to share them! Please send your list and ideas of blessings to
[email protected] and I will publish them in an upcoming issue**
Blessings,
Jill Mercer
HEU Executive Counsellor

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PD Retrospective

Did you know that you may be able to get some money for courses and conferences
through your OECTA, Halton Elementary Unit?

In the last few months we have given our HEU permanent and Occasional Teacher
members subsidies for the following professional development:

AQ/ABQ:
• Senior Religious Studies
• FSL Specialist
• Junior
• English Language Learners
• Primary Basic

Conferences:
• ASET
• Beginning Teachers
• Connect 2018
• Halton FASD
• Ontario Physical Literacy Summit
• OAME Math

If you are interested in accessing the PD subsidy for Halton Elementary teachers, please go to www.haltonoec-
ta.ca and look for the application form under PD Subsidy in the drop-down menu.

Please be sure to read and complete the form, fully and submit it to [email protected] for consideration.
There are currently lots of great OECTA courses and OECTA PD to consider.

In solidarity,

Jennifer De Meo

HEU Executive Councillor

Page 21

HEU Celebrates our Catholic Teachers
Grade 8 Yearbook Initiative

Grade 8 students are embarking on another social justice journey as part of their
graduation yearbook experience. The Northern Bridge Community Partnership, founded
by Reverend Michael Bechard, a professor at a London university, reached out to request
a pilot program to connect students in Southern Canada at St. Marguerite with students in the far
Canadian north. We have been partnered with Chief T’Selehye School in Fort Good Hope, North West
Territories. The objective is to rebuild trust within the Indigenous community, to interact in order to grow
together as Canadians, to establish alliances, and to move toward making a positive change within Canada. The
belief is that Canada cannot progress as a country unless we truly know each other as fellow Canadians, and
that the future of Indigenous youth depends on the efforts of today’s youth.

The Northern Bridge Community Partnership, aligned with Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission,
recognizes the historical abuse and neglect of Canada’s Indigenous people. The consequence of their treatment
over time has translated into such things like:

• isolated remote communities
• no fresh drinking water
• improper sewage systems
• unemployment
• increased high school dropout rates (52%)
• overcrowding
• uninvestigated crimes
• inequalities in education
• lack of medical care and social services
• family dysfunction related to Residential Schools
• addiction and alcohol abuse
• disenfranchised youth

Slowly, recovery is beginning. Language and traditions are being gradually recovered, identity is being restored,
and faith is being celebrated, but this will take time and resources. In an attempt to foster this progress, the
Northern Bridge community partnership program is working to bring resources and personnel to the north,
sponsor university students to assist these communities as part of their course requirements, and, most impor-
tantly, to connect Indigenous students with non-Indigenous students in an effort to nurture healing, build
authentic relationships, and foster youth leadership within these communities. At present, the suicide rate
among Indigenous youth is the highest in the world! Pope Francis states that, “the future of humanity lies in
our hands, not in that of great powers, to guide with humility and conviction this process of change.”

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Relationships cannot happen through a single event, but rather, through authentic encounters, moments
between individuals and communities, and through relationships of youth connecting with youth. It is toward
this end, that the Grade 8 students will lead other students in our school. Chief T’Selehye school services 150
students from ages 3-19. There is no formal separation of elementary and high school. The student population
tends to be somewhat transient, with students leaving for months at a time to work the land and student
exchanges between villages. It is the hope of this year’s yearbook initiative that we may begin connecting
students from our school with students from Chief T’Selehye. We have been asked to begin with a video from
our school, including all grades, which will introduce our students to theirs, accompanied by questions that our
students may have about life in the Northern Canada. We will be vigilant around inquiring about students not
permitted to be filmed.

Within the next few weeks, the Grade 8 students will be visiting other grades to speak to the students about
some of the issues facing students in Northern Canada. The content will be geared to the age of the students.
We will then advise teachers as to when we will be filming the students, to be included in the video being sent
to students in the north. No real preparation will be required, unless they’d like to share a song or dance. We
only ask that each class prepare one or two questions to ask the students from Chief T’Selehye. Once we
complete the video we will be sending it north with the understanding that they will respond with a video in
return. Students at the school have little knowledge or understanding of what transpires in our province. The
hope is that students will inform students. Following the exchange of videos, we will look into Skyping and
having pen pals.

Simultaneously, we will be selling popcorn this year, but will forward the proceeds of the sales to the fundrais-
ing efforts of the Northern Bridge Community Foundation. This program will use the funds toward the purchase
of supplies and professional personnel. Food prices are astronomical there, as is the need for professional
mental health workers and educators. We will only truly know Canada when we know each other as Canadians.
On behalf of our Grade 8 students, we thank you for your help with this initiative. Yours in faith,

Theresa Merritt
St. Marguerite d’Youville CES
Grade 8 Teacher

Thank you to Theresa for bringing this great opportunity to
our students to learn with and build community with
children in the far north. We look forward to a future update.

In Solidarity,
Anthony Biggs
HEU Executive Counsellor

Page 22

You’ve 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 your stories 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 23

In Memoriam October 2018

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

Edward de Ryk (passed away on May 30, 2018), son of Margaret de Ryk-Tavani, a retired elementary teacher (2010) of the
Board and stepson of Stan Tavani (deceased March 2018) a retired elementary teacher (2017) of the Board.

Glen Alan Sawchuk, father of Cara Hinkley (Sawchuk), a Grade 5 teacher at St. John Catholic Elementary School in
Burlington and uncle of Michael Sawchuk, a French immersion teacher at St. Peter Catholic Elementary School in Milton,
passed away on Friday, June 1, 2018.

Kata Stefanac, mother of Mary Vavro, a Special Education resource teacher at St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary
School in Oakville, passed away on Sunday, June 10, 2018.

Lori Ciolek, a Grade 2 teacher at St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School in Oakville, who was on maternity leave, passed
away on Saturday, June 23, 2018.

Paul Pavao, father of Vanessa Pavao, a Long-Term Occasional Teacher with the Board, passed away on Saturday, August
11, 2018.

Judas Taddeus (Toddy) D’Souza, father of Daniel D’Souza, a Long Term Occasional Teacher with the Board, uncle of
Melissa Adams, HRIS Officer in Human Resources, uncle of Michael Adams, elementary teacher at Lumen Christi, and
brother in law of Lysandra Mascarenhas, Elementary Teacher at St. Marguerite passed away on Friday, August 24, 2018.

Mary-Anne Freudiger, mother of Amy Spurrell, an elementary teacher at St. Gregory the Great, passed away on Sunday,
August 26, 2018.

Margaret Mary Somers, mother of Siobhan Crosson, a Grade 2 teacher at St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic Elementary
School in Oakville, passed away on Sunday, September 2, 2018.

Margaret Zyma, mother of Nadine Bertrand, a Special Education Teacher in the Community Living Classroom at St. Teresa
of Calcutta Catholic Elementary School in Oakville, passed away on Friday, September 28, 2018

Page 24

2018-2019 OECTA Events

Getting Hired Workshop Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Unit General Meeting Thursday, October 25, 2018
Maternity & Parental Leave Workshop Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Paint Night Monday, October 29, 2018
Volleyball November 2018
Floor Hockey November 2018
Halton OT Welcome & Social Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Open House Thursday, November 29, 2018
Unit General Meeting Thursday, November 29, 2018
Skating & Santa Sunday, December 9, 2018
Pension Workshop Saturday, January 26, 2019
Unit General Meeting Thursday, February 28, 2019
Coldest Night of the Year Walk Saturday, February 23, 2019
3 on 3 Basketball April 2019
OTIP Retirement Workshop Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Unit AGM Thursday, May 23, 2019
OECTA Recognition Night Thursday, May 23, 2019

Come out and get involved in YOUR
OECTA!

More information can be found in Halton Highlights, information
updates, and on www.haltonoecta.ca
Follow us on Twitter @oectaheu

Page 25

This Fall Focus on Gratitude

Fall is a season of change, from the colours of the trees to the weather, but Fall also brings a very special
holiday, Thanksgiving. It’s a time to show gratitude while spending time with loved ones and enjoying a
delicious dinner. Did you know that there are health benefits to being thankful and showing gratitude in your
daily routine? According to scientists, counting your blessing year-round is good for your mental health and
well-being.
To learn more, visit www.otipinsurance.com/article26

Page 27

How to Prevent Wind Damage to Your Home

High winds can be a dangerous, and costly, instance of extreme weather. Consider the damage incurred by the
severe spring wind storm that hit southern Ontario in May 2018, causing over $380 million in property
damage.
Though none of us can control the weather, there are some actions that home owners can take to help mini-
mize their potential losses in the event of a wind storm.
It’s important to be aware of the risk level for high winds in your area, as well as of your home’s potential
vulnerabilities to wind damage.
To learn more, visit www.otipinsurance.com/article25

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