District Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 6: June 23, 2003

Message from the District President

One of the retiring District 11 members this year is Mark O’Neill who has been our District Vice-President this past year. Congratulations on your retirement, Mark, and thank you for your countless hours of service to the OSSTF. At its June meeting, the District Executive appointed Robert Steidl of Ingersoll DCI as the District Vice-President. Welcome aboard, Robert!

Criminal Background Checks

Between now and July 31, the Board will be notified of any employees who had a "positive hit" revealed in the check. School Boards have been told to conduct at least one interview and collect follow up documentation for each positive hit, whether it represents a serious concern or not, and that the employee be allowed to bring a representative to the interview(s). TVDSB has indicated that it is unlikely that all "hits" will require an interview and that only serious or urgent cases will be dealt over the summer. The Board has been asked to allow any member requiring an interview, time to consult with the federation. We expect the vast majority of our members with "hits" will be able to demonstrate that they do not represent a risk to students or staff. If however you are contacted by the Board regarding a hit, immediately notify the District Office. If it is in July leave a message in the general mailbox (extension 10) at the District office or call the Provincial Office of OSSTF 1-800-267-7867 and ask for the District 11 Field Secretary or the Duty Officer. We will get back to you within a couple of days.

Election Looms!

The upcoming Ontario election is absolutely critical for every educational worker and teacher, as urgent as any challenge our union has ever faced. The potential exists for the writ to be dropped in the third week of August for an election on Thurs. Sept.18, 2003. If this event occurs, the District Office will do an immediate mailing to the home address of every member with further information on each riding. Branch Presidents will be contacted and instructed to use phone trees. Offers of voluntary assistance may be left on the voice mail at the District Office.

District Office Summer Services

In order for the office staff to enjoy a well deserved holiday, the office will be closed from July 7 to July 25. During that time members with an emergency situation can contact the OSSTF Provincial office at 1-800-267-7867. As well, office voice mail will be monitored twice a week and members requiring immediate assistance will be contacted. At any time, members requiring assistance with L.T.D. can call the district office any time and enter extension 12 to leave a confidential message for Don Edgar. For information about OSSTF certification, see http://www.osstf11.com/CRS.htm or contact Wendy Hirschegger by phone (extension 14) or by email. For the remainder of the summer the office will be staffed by one or more of the officers of the District. However, Laurie, our Executive Assistant, is off for the summer which may require members to leave messages in the general mailbox (extension 10); a staff member will get back to you as soon as possible.

Teacher Performance Appraisal

The updated Teacher Performance Appraisal document is now complete and a draft version is now available on the TVDSB website.

Refer to the TBU Newsletter of June 6 for more information.

Let us not take thought for our separate interests, but let us help one another.
(OSSTF Motto)

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