Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation
26 Upper Canada

March 2019

List of Topics Below:

  1. Here for Students Campaign launch
  2. Certification Rating Statement Applications (for teachers)
  3. Request for Leaves Deadline – April 1, 2019
  4. CIVIX Bootcamp – March 28-29, 2019 in Toronto (for teachers)
  5. Post-Secondary Student Walk Out – March 20, 2019

Keep these in mind!

  1. Rally for Autism Funding Awareness  - Thursday March 14, 2019 from 11am – 1pm at Steve Clark’s office – 100 Strowger Blvd, Suite 101, Brockville
  2. SAVE THE DATE – OSSTF D26 AGM on May 9, 2019 beginning at 3:30pm at the North Grenville Community Centre – details to follow soon!
  3. SAVE THE DATE - Cultivating Resilience Workshop for all members – April 3, 2019 @ 4:30pm @ District 26 Office in Kemptville – details to follow soon!

 


  1. Here for Students Campaign Launch

We’re excited to announce the launch of our Here For Students campaign, a digital-first initiative designed to drive public awareness around the critical role Ontario’s teachers and support staff play in our students’ lives.

This campaign is designed to serve as a hub of activity and information for parents, students, members of the public and of course, OSSTF/FEESO members. As we look ahead to the provincial budget and bargaining a new collective agreement with the government of Ontario, there has never been a more important time for all these groups to come together, to share their stories and show their support for the dedicated professionals at the heart of our students’ education system.

Over the next few months, we will be highlighting stories of educators who inspire, sharing ways for the public to voice their support and launching a range of online features that will allow them and you to take action to ensure our system, our students, our careers and our families can prosper and grow here in Ontario.

For now, we encourage you to visit the site and help spread the word that OSSTF/FEESO members are Here For Students by sharing the campaign with colleagues and encouraging them to share it with family and friends on social media.

 

Visit the sites in English or French:

https://www.hereforstudents.ca

https://www.presentspourleseleves.ca

 

2.  Certification Rating Statement Applications

Please note that there have been sporadic issues since September 2018 with the online Certification Application Forms. There are known examples of members receiving notification that their application was submitted successfully, yet the Certification Department did not receive some or all of their information.

Members who have applied as of September 2018 and who have not received a written response are encouraged to contact the Certification Department directly at 416-751-8300 or 1-800-267-7867 to verify that their application was received.

The Certification webpage currently displays a notice to alert members that the Certification Application Forms are not available for submission on-line.  Members can download the appropriate PDF Application Form and either fax to 416-751-0910 or mail directly to OSSTF/FEESO Certification Department, 60 Mobile Drive, Toronto, ON M4A 2P3

 

3.  Request for Leaves – due April 1, 2019

 

Request for leaves deadline from the Board is April 1, 2019. The guidelines and form are attached to this email. Any questions or concerns can be directed to our HR Support Team at askUCHR@ucdsb.on.ca

 

4.  CIVIX Democracy Bootcamp: March 28-29, 2019

CIVIX, in collaboration with Elections Canada, is pleased to announce a special PD event for Ontario secondary teachers to prepare for the Student Vote program for the 2019 federal election.

Democracy Bootcamp will feature journalists, campaign strategists and acclaimed experts sharing their insights on politics and the upcoming election, as well as discussions about best practices for Student Vote. There will also be a special focus on the threat of mis- and disinformation, and tools for teaching information literacy skills in the digital age.

The event will take place in downtown Toronto on Thursday, March 28 (6:00-8:30 p.m., with reception to follow) and on Friday, March 29 (8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.).

To make it easy for teachers to attend, CIVIX will cover transportation (if outside the GTA), shared accommodation at the Hyatt Regency for those living outside Toronto (with private accommodation available for a fee) and meals at the event. CIVIX will also be covering release time costs for those who need it.

Registration is available at: https://democracy-bootcamp-on-2019-secondary.eventbrite.ca/

There is a $50 registration fee which will go towards the opening night reception and other event costs. Any questions about Democracy Bootcamp should be directed to the CIVIX team at bootcamp@civix.ca or by calling 1-866-488-8775.

 

5.  Post-Secondary Student Walk Out on March 20, 2019

In concert with various organizations, the Canadian Federation of Students (Ontario) is organizing a province-wide student walkout on Wednesday March 20 at 12 p.m. to demonstrate to the Doug Ford government that students will not tolerate its attacks on students.

Post-secondary students and allies are urged to walk out of their classes at that time to call on the government to:

• Provide More Grants NOT loans,

 • Eliminate Tuition Fees for ALL Students,

 • Increase Public Funding for Public Education,

 • Protect Students’ Independent Voices, and

 • Demand the Right to Organize.

OSSTF/FEESO supports students in their efforts to reverse these damaging cuts to post-secondary education. Our members stand in solidarity with students throughout the province and all of OSSTF/FEESO stands in solidarity with our university support staff members. We urge you, if available, to make tentative plans to participate in one of these walkouts. Together with students, we will make our voices heard.

OSSTF/FEESO is committed to working with the Canadian Federation of Students and encourages members to monitor the CFS website, http://www.cfsontario.ca/ or the campus coalition website https://campuscoalition.org/post/student-walk-out-at-noon-on-march-20/ for any upcoming events and actions. OSSTF/FEESO will do likewise.

Ontario’s insurance industry enters hard market

If you are shopping for car or home insurance, chances are you may have heard that Ontario is now entering what industry veterans refer to as a ‘hard market’. It is a challenging cycle that comes about every six to eight years that can lead to higher insurance premiums and stricter underwriting practices.

To learn more, visit www.otipinsurance.com/article35

 

Planning on Driving Across the Broder this March Break? Here’s a Pre-Departure Checklist

 

Visiting family? Attending a special event? Chasing some warmer weather? Whatever the reason, if you’re planning on driving your own car to the United States over March Break, it’s important to be prepared.

 

Follow this pre-departure checklist to ensure your border experience is a smooth one, so you and your loved ones can spend more time enjoying your well-deserved break:

 

To learn more, visit www.otipinsurance.com/article36

 

 

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