Your Member News
May 4, 2022
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On June 2, Vote for Better Schools!
The Ontario provincial election has been called for Thursday, June 2. After four years of Ford’s devastating cuts to public education and the chaos his government has caused in our public schools, we have an opportunity to make change happen.
These next four weeks will determine the outcome of this election and set the stage for our upcoming round of collective bargaining. Defeating the Doug Ford Conservative government must be priority number one for all of us.
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Celebrating Education Week
In this new video, ETFO President Karen Brown celebrates the above-and-beyond efforts of educators and other education workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with a message.
Please listen and then share the President's message about why enough is enough, and we need to defend schools from Ford!
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Ford Threatens Student Success
Ahead of the 2022 Ontario budget, four education unions, AEFO, ETFO, OECTA, and OSSTF, called attention to the inadequate investment in publicly funded education and demanded real action to support students during a live media conference.
"The Ford government calls its education plan a 'historic investment,' but it is nothing more than a shell game―a thinly veiled deception that merely puts back some of the previous cuts, fails to address inflation and prioritizes electioneering at the expense of student success," said ETFO President Karen Brown.
Resources
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Educators Run
Last week we provided a list of educator candidates in the provincial election, but the list is growing, and there is an update!
See below for the list of ETFO members who are candidates in the provincial election as of May 2, 2022:
- Ajax - Amber Bowen
- Barrie-Innisfil - Pekka Reinio
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Carelton - Kevin St.Denis
- Don Valley East - Mara-Elena Nagy
- Hastings Lennox and Addington - Christina Wilson
- Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston - Amanda Pulker-Mok
- London North Centre - Terence Kernaghan
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Oshawa - Jennifer French
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Parry Sound-Muskoka - Matt Richter
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Peterborough-Kawartha - Jennifer Deck
- Scarborough-Rouge Park - Felicia Samuel
- Stormont Dundas Glengarry - Wendy Stephen
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New Podcast Episode: President Karen Brown Delivers a Call to Action
As part of its goal to protect public education, ETFO hosts a political action conference each year to engage members in political action.
This year, on April 28, more than one hundred members came together to focus on the skills and strategies needed to mobilize members and supporters in the upcoming provincial election.
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“This is just a drill” – Emergency Procedures
When the fire drill sounds, you know what to do, and so do your students. You should also know how to protect yourself and your students when there is a threat of school violence. All boards have a lockdown policy and must have at least two drills per year.
Your board's lockdown policy is in their Police/School Board Protocol, learn more here. And if you’re overdue for a drill, speak to your administrator or worker health and safety representative.
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Professional Learning Events
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The Occasional Teacher’s Toolbox
June 3 and 4
The conference will be an exciting learning opportunity designed to provide workshops with practical strategies, resources, and networking opportunities for occasional and long-term occasional teachers. Register to participate in engaging workshops and hear a keynote presentation by Dr. Hopi Lovell Martin. Learn more.
Registration closes May 9 at noon EDT
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Annual Native Language Gathering
June 11
ETFO invites members to register for this one-day in-person learning opportunity, it is the Second Annual Native Language Gathering.
The Six Nations Language Commission will be in attendance, with time for discussion, sharing and networking.
Registration closes May 9.
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ETFO AQ Summer Courses
This is a reminder that our courses fill up quickly so register early at etfo-aq.ca. Registration closes on June 21 at 5:00 p.m. EDT as courses commence on July 4, 2022.
*If you have forgotten your username or password, please call 1-877-325-7778 for assistance.
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Wednesday, May 4, 2022, is the first day of the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) administration window.
ETFO believes that professional learning and training should occur during the instructional day. The ongoing encroachment of professional learning and training outside of the school day and during a member's personal time is unacceptable.
This new advisory can be found on the ETFO website along with the existing EQAO advisories:
- Members are advised not to complete the EQAO teacher questionnaire.
- Members are advised not to participate in any Primary Division (grades 1-3), Junior Division (grades 4-6), Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics, or the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (Grade 10) EQAO marking exercise.
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Bring Music to Life
The Royal Conservatory of Music has created a fun, engaging exploration of music and a free web-based app called 'YouthBeat.' It taps into students' listening and digital skills as they learn to create original music from scratch.
The app was developed with input from over 100 teachers, and it includes meaningful literacy and numeracy connections that can help deepen learning. This free program is specifically for grades 4 to 8, and no prior musical knowledge or training is required.
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Tax Credit Delays
The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) has learned that the CRA is delaying processing all tax returns with claims for the Eligible Education School Supply Tax Credit until Bill C-8 achieves Royal Assent. Following a recent meeting with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Office of the Minister of National Revenue, the CTF/FCE was finally able to obtain answers to the tax backlog affecting educators. Unfortunately, the lack of communication from the CRA and the Government of Canada and outstanding questions regarding this issue is extremely problematic.
The CTF/FCE has created a dedicated email where questions can be sent. Send your queries to vox@ctf-fce.ca for details on the tax credit and the processing of tax assessments.
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Get Students to Dance
The National Ballet of Canada is excited to open up registration for the YOU dance Livestream programme.
Workshops are led by an Artist Educator and present a learning experience for students and classroom teachers. This program is recommended for grade levels 4-6, and it is free!
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Do Electric Vehicles Need Maintenance?
With the rising fuel cost and the growing movement for a more sustainable future, electric vehicles (EVs) can seem like a win-win for the planet and your bank account. But how do electric vehicles compare to conventional gasoline-powered vehicles when it comes to maintenance?
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Bring arts into your classroom and enjoy Music Monday by Stephanie C.
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Gary Stewart asks, "How do we make sure that all students, no matter the income of their parents/families, are able to have equitable access to quality arts programs?" See what Gary says in Engaging Students Through The Arts.
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Get social and follow your union online!
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The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
represents more than 83,000 teachers and education workers.
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