NAME OUR PAST/OUR FUTURE!

On July 1, 2018, ETFO will celebrate its 20th anniversary. We want you to help set the stage for a year of celebrations! We're looking for members or a team of members to submit their ideal slogan to accompany ETFO's 20th anniversary logo. Your slogan in 12 words or less can reflect ETFO's past or it can present a vision for our future.

Submit your ETFO 20th Anniversary slogan by April 6th and you could win $500! For details please visit the ETFO website.

YOUR PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT

This fall, the Minister of Education announced a change to the Provincial Report Card by replacing the learning skills section with 'global competencies/transferable skills.' The Ministry has not defined the global competencies.They have suggested that they include skills such as: critical thinking, innovation/creativity, self-directed learning, collaboration, communication and citizenship.

The change from learning skills to 'global competencies' on the report card would require educators from Grades 1-12 to provide ratings and comments for the global competencies for every student. ETFO and other stakeholders provided feedback to the Ministry through the Transformation Steering Committee requesting that the mandatory implementation for the fall of 2018 be revised due to the training required to ensure educators have developed a thorough understanding of the global competencies.

On February 13, 2018, The new Minister of Education, Indira Naidoo-Harris, announced that the province wide implementation of 'global competencies/transferable skills' in the report card will not more forward for the 2018-19 school year.

The decision to slow this proposed change will decrease stress across the education system. It is ETFO's position that while the 'global competencies/transferable skills' are important for students, educators should be able to use their professional judgement to decide where and when global competencies may enhance instruction and student self-reflection. Global competencies/transferable skills should not be evaluated and included on the report card.

PROVINCIAL ELECTION 2018

Elections Ontario has launched a voter registration drive promoting e-Registration across the province to improve the accuracy of the Voters List. You can now visit this website and check if you are registered to vote and update your information if necessary. 

While you can always register at the polls, it will make things faster and easier if you are already registered to vote with up-to-date information.

BLOG FOR BEGINNING TEACHERS

Here are some recent posts on the ETFO Heart and Art blog:

• Collaboration Amongst the Grades by Arianna Lambert
• Introducing Indigenous Music through the Junos by Tammy Axt
• Teaching About the Genderbread Person in Schools by Deborah Weston
• Designated time a.k.a Genius Hour by Will Gourley
• Free Creation Apps to Show Student Thinking by Michelle Fenn

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

This conference for women will take place at Provincial Office on April 24-25 and is an introduction to overcoming anxiety, improving delivery, motivating people to take action and structuring your speech for maximum impact.

Registration is now open on the ETFO Events Portal. For more information, please see this flyer.

VOICE MAGAZINE

Are you interested in writing for ETFO Voice Magazine? We want to hear about your best practices, experiences in the classroom and how you bring social justice to life. Voice is looking for article submissions from across the province.

Email [email protected] with your story ideas.