OSSTF District 11- Thames Valley
Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation

680 Industrial Road, London, Ontario, N5V 1V1
Phone: (519) 659-6588; Fax: (519) 659-2421; Email: osstf11@execulink.com

The number of District members on medical leaves for work-related stress has grown during the last few years.  Education, as we all know can be demanding and stressful so the District Educational Services Committee is taking a proactive, preventative stance in order to help our members stay well.

On Wednesday, March 29, 2006 the committee held the second event in a series of Wellness initiatives for the 2005-2006 school year.  Sixty OSSTF members attended the “Take the Cure” event held at District Office from 4:30 to 7:30.  Members were treated to a wine-tasting session by Dave Gimbel of Cilento Wines.  Following the wine-tasting members enjoyed a deliciously prepared meal catered by the staff and students of Thames Secondary School.  A special thank you goes out to Collette Davison, from Thames, for her assistance with the dinner.

Next on the program was the comedy of Roger Chandler.  Roger, who has opened for Howie Mandel, Jerry Seinfeld and Mike McDonald, got down to business quickly.  His stories and one line-liners had the audience quickly in stitches.  If laughter is the best medicine, then Roger was the doctor for that evening.

The evening ended with  four songs performed by an OSSTF band from College Avenue Secondary School.  Band members included Ryan Duanne, Scott Savage, Brady Rivard, Cynthia Engberts and Wayne Nickoli with a guest appearance by Bryan Smith.

Thank you also to the members of the Educational Services Committee for their hard work planning this event.  Committee members include Chair Kathy Wildfong, Bryan Smith, Jennifer Hillis, Don Edgar, Carolyn Gaskin, Sherry Titus, Heather Reid, Joe Mountenay and, Keith Falconer.