Your Member News
February 8, 2023
ETFO calls for action
 
As we begin Black History Month 2023, ETFO reaffirms its solidarity with the United Nations in demanding the protection of the human rights of people of African descent and calls for change.
 
While Black History Month is an important time to recognize and celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black Canadians, we must go beyond this and demand action to address the gaps that continue to impact Black Canadians negatively.
 
In case you missed it, read our Black History Month statement and download the 2023 ETFO poster. 
News on Remedy Payment
 
The Ministry of Education has now completed a review of all Bill 115 Remedy Notices of Objections. 
 
Ministry staff are in the process of updating the final eligibility payment list and are on schedule to have the transfer payment issued to all school boards by April 1, 2023. School boards will then issue payments to all eligible individuals by June 1, 2023.

Click here for background on ETFO's Charter challenge against the government and Bill 115.
NEW: ETFO Violence Survey Released

Starting February 8, members will receive an email from research company Strategic Communications Inc. (Stratcom) with a link to our 2023 All-Member Violence Survey.
 
We want to hear from you about your experiences with violence in schools. Members have until Wednesday, March 8, to complete the survey. For more information, visit etfohealthandsafety.ca.
Petition Condemning Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) Membership Fee Increase

At its December 8 Governing Council meeting, the OCT passed its 2023 budget, which included a 17.6% membership fee increase. This fee increase occurred without any discussion or debate from any of the 12 councilors and it comes at a time when millions of Ontarians are dealing with the impacts of inflation and increased costs of living.
 
Sign the petition to call on the Governing Council to reverse and refund the fee increase! 
Black Excellence
 
Don’t miss this episode of ETFO’s podcast Elementary.
 
In this panel from the Generation Black: You’re Next! Symposium four speakers address Black Excellence and what it means in the education sector. Tyrone Russell is an occasional teacher, Pierrette Walker-Enniss is a vice-principal, Wesberlyne Avril is a teacher candidate, and the last speaker, Jhonel Morvan is a superintendent of education.
 
Day of Pink Shirts

We are powerful because we have survived – Audre Lorde. 

Wednesday, April 12, is the Day of Pink. If you want to purchase this year’s shirt, place an order via shopETFO before March 1. 

For more information, please contact Matthew Sinclair at msinclair@etfo.org.
Join Us and Say - Enough is Enough!

Last Saturday, over 500 people from across the province joined the Ontario Federation of Labour to launch the Enough is Enough campaign.

Now that the campaign has been launched, please help build it. 

Watch this OFL video to hear why workers across Ontario are saying enough to the direction of this government.
Professional Learning Events in 2023
March 4
 
* Registration has been extended to February 10.

Learn about the nuts and bolts of community organizing at ETFO’s day-long workshop. Participants will consider the following:

  • What makes our organizing effective and sustainable?
  • What can we learn from others?
  • How can we be effective allies?
March 24 and 25
 
Any member working with students with special education needs in classrooms, specialized settings, or a resource role is invited to attend.

This conference will allow members to discuss concerns, from ergonomics to infection control to safety plans. Best practices and shared experiences will help you learn how to stay healthy and safe. Read more here.

Registration closes on February 20.
March 8 and 9
 
This exciting program will allow members who identify as women to explore identity and positionality, privilege and marginalization, and intersectional identities, and allyship.

There is a $50 fee. Learn more here.
 
Registration closes on February 21.
March 21 and 22

Two concurrent programs are being offered; a program for women members and a general program open to all. This two-day leadership training is for members committed to becoming involved in their union and creating a just society.

Read about the selection criteria here and apply before February 22. 
March 31 and April 1

This conference is for men educators committed to becoming involved in their union and creating a just society. Participants will:
develop a greater understanding of self-care and mental wellness,
explore their own and others’ social locations and how to show support for the mental health of others and themselves.


Registration closes on February 22.
March 27 (evening) and March 28
 
This conference provides an opportunity for women members to further their leadership skills in the areas of equity and social justice. Members will explore a range of equity issues that face the membership and their communities, including health, intersectional feminism, and how to incorporate these issues when taking on leadership roles. Read more.

Registration closes on February 24.
April 18 and May 10
 
Participants must attend both sessions.
 
Women-identified members will explore what research says about the importance of engaging girls (grades 4-8) in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) fields, network with colleagues, and experience practical STEAM activities to use. There is a $50 fee.
 
For info on selection criteria, read this flyer. Registration closes on February 24.
Apply to be a Course Leader

All ETFO Summer Academy courses run for three consecutive days from July 4 to August 25, 2023.

If you are interested in being one of our Leaders, please submit your application, resume and references before 9:00 a.m. on March 1 EST.

Full details are available on the Members' site here.

For general inquiries and questions, please email sacademy@etfo.org
This is the second of three regional programs for ETFO locals.
 
The March 28 and 29 workshop is open to members in Hastings-Prince Edward, Kawartha Pine Ridge, Limestone, Ottawa-Carleton, Renfrew County, and Upper Canada.
 
The two-day women’s program aims to enhance an understanding of gender-based violence within school communities and support students who have disclosed, while creating trauma-informed and gender-inclusive classrooms.

For more info, view this PDF. Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. EST on February 22.
Member Services 
Get Involved

Join one of the provincial Standing Committees and provide your perspective and expertise to develop provincial policies, positions, programs, and initiatives.
 
Applications for the 2023-2025 term are open and due March 1.
Apply online and read more at members.etfo.ca/etfo/standing-committees. 
Bursaries and Scholarships for PSE
 
Did you know that ETFO offers financial support to its members and others to pursue higher education?
There are scholarships and bursaries for doctoral and master's candidates, bursaries for members of designated groups and Indigenous education, and bursaries for children of ETFO members.
 
Learn more by visiting etfo.ca/awards; apply by April 30!
Special Recognition Award
 
The OTF presents this award annually to an organization, group, or individual to acknowledge outstanding contributions to publicly funded education in Ontario beyond the school board level.
  
The award includes a $1,000 monetary amount. Nominations close March 31, 2023. For more information and the nomination form, click on Special Recognition.
Mindfulness Workshop
 
Starling Minds will be hosting a one-hour four-week Mindfulness Workshop on Tuesdays from February 21 to March 14 to help you learn techniques for better mental clarity, presence of mind, calmness through the power of breath, meditation, and more.
 
This workshop will include strategies to help you:
  • expand your window of tolerance to stay calm under stress;
  • understand the impacts of your thoughts and change your internal dialogue;
  • become more compassionate and kind towards yourself and others; and
  • live a more easeful and peaceful life with mindfulness.
 
New Child Care Access Project
 
Child Care Now is working with Oxfam Canada and the Childcare Resource and Research Unit on a joint project to ensure that the voices of women with the most difficulty accessing licensed child care are heard. Read more here.
OTIP Advice: Battery Care

Rechargeable batteries are perishable, slowly fading from the day they are manufactured. No need to worry, though; there are ways to charge and store your batteries properly. Read more to find out what you need to know!

Educator Blogs
  • In The Teacher Down the Hall, Sharon Ethier reflects on the educators who have influenced and shaped her practice and vision.

  • Looking for learning tools and how to have fun with early learners, from K to grade 2, Arianna Lambert reveals a few ideas in The Shape of Things.

  • Kelly McLaughlin says, “As educators, it is our duty to ensure the mental well-being of each of our students is thought about daily.” Check out Kelly’s suggestions for Mental Health Activities.

PLEASE EXCUSE US
*In the last newsletter, Iyanuoluwa Akinrinola last name was listed incorrectly, and we apologize for this error.

Follow us online!
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
represents 83,000 teachers and education workers.