Report Cards and the Friday PA Day

  • Friday, 24 January is a centrally-bargained PA Day for writing reports and assessment
  • Our 10 January Newsletter sent to Members included the link to our locally-bargained Letter of Understanding on how this day is to be used in Ottawa
  • Teachers can choose to work from home on this day
  • NO OTHER MEETINGS OR ACTIVITIES should be happening on this day
  • As per our longstanding agreement with the Board, Reports can’t be expected in school offices more than 5-8 working days before they go home (31 Jan- 5 Feb)
  • We will be sending our ETFO ‘Professional Judgment Matters’ advice to you to help as you create reports
  • TEACHERS write reports; PRINCIPALS support Teachers by making sure mark matches comment, spelling and grammar is correct
  • The Ministry’s ‘Growing Success’ document identifies that your professional judgement is the cornerstone of assessment and evaluation

RETIREMENT and PAY ADJUSTMENT DEADLINES

L11.03     A Teacher who submits a copy of their QECO Statement of Evaluation to the Employee Services Department for a change in category placement shall receive the adjustment, as follows:

a)      If the statement is received between 1 September and 31 December, inclusive, providing courses are completed prior to 31 August, the Teacher’s salary shall be adjusted retroactive to 1 September.

b)      If the statement is received between 1 January and 31 May inclusive, providing courses are completed prior to 31 December, the Teacher’s salary shall be adjusted retroactive to 1 January.

c)      If the statement is received between 1 June and 31 August, inclusive, the Teacher’s salary shall be adjusted effective the following 1 September.

Be sure to submit new qualifications to HR as soon as you get them to have it reflected in your pay!

L40.01     A Teacher may retire from the Board effective the following dates;

a)      on 31 December or the last teaching day prior to the March Break or 30 June by providing notice on or before 30 November, 31 January or 31 March, respectively;

b)      in extenuating circumstances, at any time by mutual consent of the Board and the Teacher. Consent from the Board shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 L40.02    If the vacancy occurs after 31 December, the position will be staffed as a LTO for the remainder of the school year.

L40.03     Letters of retirement should be addressed to the Employee Services Department, with a copy to the Principal.

TNR- Teacher not Replaced

  • We know there is still a problem in schools filling behind absences; only when “every reasonable effort” has been made to find a qualified OT can they ask you to cover with your Prep time
  • If you lose a Prep, please report that here so if we have to grieve to get it repaid, we have data: Teacher Not Replaced 2024/2025
  • We are also seeing unqualified “Emergency Classroom Supervisors” being used; please report that here when you see they are PRE-BOOKED:  ECS – OCEOTA

ACCESSING PAID LEAVES

PERSONAL (CODE J): “I have urgent/essential business of a personal/family/medical/legal nature”

  • You may not be able to give advance notice
  • Your Principal DOES NOT have discretion to grant or not
  • Only Supt Shawn Lehman can ask you for more and has discretion

ILLNESS in the FAMILY (ILFM): “My mother/father/partner/youngest child has a serious illness and I need to arrange for their care”

  • Declarations in good faith
  • Principal does NOT need name (identify family member)

School Amalgamation /Reconfiguration Committee

  • Local Letter of Understanding #3 provides for a joint Union/Board committee to discuss staffing guidelines and practices for impacted schools
  • It will meet on 28 January to discuss the opening of the new Riverside South Gr.7-12 school
  • We will reach out to communicate with any impacted schools
  • A principle of “as much as possible, give impacted Teachers a chance to follow students who are moving” has guided this Committee over the years
  • This will serve as another avenue to get input and provide advocacy for the upcoming District Review when impacts become more clear

REPORT FROM THE EVERY TEACHER SURVEY

With profound thanks to your Elementary Staffing Committee Members:

Heather Gordon

Joanne Small-Greenall