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OSSTF District 11- Thames Valley
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District 11 Office |
District Newsletter
Volume 2, Issue 1: October 15, 2003
Table of ContentsClick on any of the titles below to go directly to that article. |
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President’s Message
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Have You
Moved? Or Changed Your Name?
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President’s Message
Congratulations to the many OSSTF District 11 members who took active roles in election campaigns during the provincial election. As well, thanks to those of you who made financial contributions to one of the candidates. Our time, effort and money were well spent, as the Tory government went down to a resounding defeat. It is now time for our Provincial Leaders to keep Public Education front and centre with the new Premier and the new Education Minister.
The new government has already announced an end to private school tax credits, and to teacher bashing. Now it is up to us to keep the pressure on them for greater funding and for the restoration of much fairer rules for local bargaining.
We can help too by frequently contacting our MPP’s to remind them of the promises and commitments they made during the campaign. All lobby groups will be expecting to be first on the list so we need to keep up the pressure. Let us not become complacent!
I hope you have had a good start to the school year and don’t hesitate to contact the office for assistance on any matter.
Another Opportunity to Choose Public Education
Voters are fortunate this fall to have another opportunity to affect the future of local public education–the Municipal Election. School board trustees will be chosen November 10, 2003, and it is important that you get out and vote.
We need Trustees that value teachers and educational workers as well as students. We need Trustees that realize that educational workers’ working conditions are the students’ learning environment and will therefore work to improve those conditions.
OSSTF is inviting trustees to communicate their answers to a series of questions related to education, and we will be synthesizing the results and recommending candidates for your consideration in the near future.
Public education has deteriorated in recent years in Ontario; please consider your vote carefully and vote in the municipal election on November 10th.
Upcoming Meeting Dates
All meetings are held at the District Office.
 | District Communication/ Excellence in Education and TBU Awards Committees: Next meeting is Thursday October 16 at. (Chair to be elected.) |
| CEI Collective Bargaining Committee: Next meeting: Monday October 20 at 4:00. |
| District Human Rights and Status of Women Committee: Next meeting is on Tuesday October 21 at 4:00. |
| District Political Action Committee: Next meeting: Wednesday October 22 at 4:30. (Chair to be elected.) |
| TBU Collective Bargaining Committee: Next meeting: Wednesday October 22 at 4:30. (Chair to be elected.) |
| District Educational Services Committee: Next meeting: Tuesday October 28 at 4:30. (Chair to be elected.) |
Retiring??
Are you retiring this year or in the next few years? Do you contribute to the Teachers’ Pension Plan? Interested in a retirement workshop?
If so, come hear Gerald Armstrong from Provincial OSSTF discuss the process and the finances of retirement:
DATE: February 3, 2004
TIME: 4:30 - 6:30 pm
WHERE: Saunders S.S. auditorium, at 941 Viscount Road London (opposite Westmount Mall)
To register, please contact Don Edgar at the District Office at 659-6588.
If you are planning to retire this year, please call the District Office to obtain the Retirement Planning Package.
OSSTF and The United Way
Teachers and Education Workers are all too aware of the great and increasing need in our community for programs supporting youth, the disadvantaged and the poor. OSSTF, labour and the United Way share this positive vision:
"together we can build a better community, the community in which we live, work, play and raise our children."
Again this year, OSSTF is proud to endorse and support our community United Way campaigns, which begin soon in our schools and workplaces. Please be generous in your personal donation and in your support of the many United Way special events.
Have You Moved? Or Changed Your Name?
If you change your name or address, PLEASE email or fax your new information to the District Office at 659-2421 and state which Bargaining Unit you belong to: Teachers, Occasionals, PSSP, or Continuing Education Instructors.
Stressed Out? Help Is at Hand
Your wellness is important, not only to yourself, but also to your students and to those who are close to you. Education is exciting and challenging, but also of course is at times quite stressful. Add to that the many other daily demands on one’s time and energy, and it can periodically become difficult to manage it all.
Fortunately, though, there are ways to help us address these situations and even people who can help us address them, if we wish. Here are some of the things which we can do to help us find balance in our jobs and in the rest of our lives:
Call the E.A.P.:
The EAP is the Employee Assistance Program. Trained, caring counsellors are available to address a range of personal or professional issues which we may all face from time to time, including job stress, relationship issues, family matters, abuse, financial concerns, alcohol or drug difficulties, and grief, among others. Calls are completely confidential. The E.A.P. program is now called the HBH Employee Assistance Program, and may be contacted 24 hours a day toll free at 1-800-263-6817.
Be Healthy:
Rest when you need it. Eat foods which nourish you. Walk. Exercise. Take your vitamins, and get your annual check-ups. Do something fun and enjoyable which you have been too busy to do. Be good to yourself, and pat yourself on the back from time to time. Smile. You have earned it.
Labour Council Update: New Members Needed
OSSTF is affiliated with all three labour councils in the valley, including the St. Thomas, Oxford, and London Labour Councils. The Labour Councils are without exception strong supporters of Public Education, and they function as our allies in various political initiatives on an ongoing basis. When we need their support with issues, they are there for us as much as possible and we in turn reciprocate. They are important as colleagues, and we are currently looking for more members to assist us as OSSTF representatives on the labour councils.
If you are interested in learning more about the Oxford, St. Thomas, or London Labour Council, please contact Don Edgar at the OSSTF District Office at 659-6588.
Marion Drysdale Contest
The Marion Drysdale contest is a writing and creative arts competition which is open to all public secondary school students in Ontario.
There are 6 writing categories (including one for Adult Learners) and 2 creative categories. Each school or workplace may submit ONE entry per category to the district office for judging at the district level. Click here for contest criteria and entry details.
2004 Marion Drysdale Theme; "Appreciating One's Freedom"
freedom ('fre'dem) n. 1. personal liberty, as from slavery, bondage, serfdom, etc. 2. liberation or deliverance, as from confinement or bondage. 3. the quality or state of being free, esp. to enjoy political and civil liberties.
This year's Marion Drysdale Award theme asks students to reflect on the role freedom plays in their lives. We hear the word freedom used a lot in our world lately- especially by politicians and the media. But what, after all, is real freedom? What does it truly mean to be free? In what different ways can a person be free? What role does freedom play in your life? And why do we place such importance on the idea of freedom?