EDITION #2 - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016

We hope you had a great first week back!
In this issue of your ETFO Waterloo Newsletter:

• Join a local committee!
• Rally for Decent Work
• Annual Defence Declaration
• New Member Reception
• Health and Safety Updates
• Upcoming Events
• On The Blog

Looking to become more involved in your federation? ETFO Waterloo has numerous committees that currently have vacancies for the 2016/2017 school year.

These committees include:

• Anti-Racist Education
• Archival/Historical
• Elections/Nominations
• Environmental
• FSL
• Girls' Conference
• Men's Issues
• New Members
• Political Action/Public Relations
• Professional Learning
• Status of Women

If interested in joining one of these exciting, dynamic committees, please contact Joanne Threndyle by Friday, September 30!

RSVP Here

IMPORTANT: ANNUAL OFFENCE DECLARATION

Regulation 521 under the Education Act requires all school board employees complete an offence declaration on an annual basis. All staff must complete the offence declaration electronically NO LATER THAN Friday, September 30, 2016.

The only exceptions are NEW employees to the WRDSB who submitted a formal Police Reference Check during the past summer (July or August of 2016).  These individuals do not need to complete an offence declaration this year. 

The electronic offence declaration is located via the Internet in the WRDSB Self Service Portal. 

Our new members are invited to join us on Monday, September 26, 2016 from 4:45 – 6:00 pm at the Edelweiss Tavern, 600 Doon Village Road, Kitchener for our New Teacher Reception.

At this time, we will introduce our Local Released Officers and members of our Executive, who are here to serve you. We will provide an overview of the Federation and how we can assist you as you begin your career as a new elementary contract teacher in Waterloo Region. 

We are also inviting your school Fed Rep to join you at this reception. 

There will be numerous door prizes, freebies for every new teacher who attends and delicious refreshments. Mark this date on your calendar! 

Register here

Health and Safety Updates

Mandatory Training - Due Friday, November 4!

Members are reminded that all Waterloo Region District School Board staff must complete all required training by November 4th, 2016. A detailed description of the requirements can be found on Memberhub and in the September 9th System Memo "Mandatory Online Health and Safety Training for Employees." 

Back to school in the heat!
Congratulations - you made it through the first week of school! However, the temperature definitely had a negative impact on our members during this exciting time.

The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety act does not provide a maximum workplace temperature for schools. However, employers have a duty to protect their workers from unsafe conditions. Please speak with your Principal if you have any concerns about your classroom's temperature. The WRDSB has a policy and procedure for extreme temperature in which your administration should be aware. If you are feeling ill or have a pre-existing health condition which prevents you from working in extreme heat, sick leave can be utilized. Please contact Vice President Jeff Pelich if you have any questions or concerns.

Waterloo Region Dates of Significance

Tuesday, September 13 - Committee Chairs Meeting
Thursday, September 22 - Representative Council
Friday, September 23 - WRDSB PD Day
Monday, September 26 - New Members Reception
Friday, September 30 - Orange Shirt Day - Every Child Matters Campaign
Friday, September 30 - Annual Offence Declaration due date (See System Memo)
Tuesday, October 25 - TPA Workshop
Friday, November 4 - Health and Safety Training Due Date

Provincial Opportunities

October 24-25 - Infusing Aboriginal Perspectives into Math and Science Workshop - Registration closes Monday, September 19
October 28-29 - ICT Conference for Women - Registration closes Wednesday, September 21
November 1-29 - FNMI Online Book Club - Perspectives and the Truth and Reconciliation - Registration closes Friday, October 14

ETFO Summer Academy in Waterloo - ETFO Waterloo was proud to welcome presenters from around the province to present on various topics of relevance to elementary teachers from our region.

Waterloo Delegates at Annual Meeting 2016 -  25 union activists from the Waterloo Region teacher local travelled to Toronto last week for the Annual Meeting of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario.

PA/PA Briefing - Summer 2016 - PA/PR Briefing will be published on our website blog throughout the school year and will include information about local, provincial and federal politics of relevance to educators and union/labour movement news.

#BackToSchool - Our ETFO Waterloo members were ready for the first day of school thanks to the countless hours of preparation throughout the summer months!