WINTER 2020 - Special Education - Addressing Funding and Workload Issues - OECTA York Catholic ...
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WINTER 2020
Special Education – Addressing Funding and Workload Issues
Filomena Ferraro, President
Special education is a topic of much and intervenors. This list addresses to better address specific special edu-
concern, and sometimes one of much only human resources. Additional re- cation issues, the committee became
contention. The struggle to provide a sources, including technology, special two, one for each panel - Elementary
program for the diversity of students furniture and equipment, sensory and and Secondary.
with special needs, in a classroom set- related items, etc., increase the cost of This restructuring allowed for more
ting, for all or part of the day, with the delivering effective programs. focused discussions regarding what
support of a special education teacher Inadequate funding from the gov- was happening in our schools. The
and sometimes several others, is in- ernment reduces support to boards, agenda is set by the employer and the
creasingly challenging. schools, teachers and ultimately, to union and allows committee members
In addition to assessing, program- students. Although we cannot bargain to add items at the time of the meeting.
ming and instructing, the work of both monetary items locally, we are well Each committee, Elementary and Sec-
the special education and classroom aware that the workload of our spe- ondary, meets approximately 4 times
teachers, is the coordination of the cial education teachers continues to a year.
many other specialists who are often increase, and that working conditions The members of the Elementary Spe-
required in the education of students continue to deteriorate. cial Education Committee are the Su-
with special needs. These specialists In 2012, your local bargaining team perintendent of Human Resources, the
may include therapists in one, several negotiated the development of a spe- Superintendent of Special Education,
or all of the following areas; speech cial education committee. The man- a Superintendent of Schools, OECTA
and language, occupational therapy, date of this committee was to address Elementary Reps (York Unit), and two
hearing, vision, physical management, issues related to the ever-increasing core teachers appointed by York Unit.
behavioural and psychological ser- workload in Special Education. Ini- The committee address many impor-
vices in addition to the continuous on- tially, these meetings were less pro- tant issues including personal safety,
site support of educational assistants ductive than we had hoped. In order EA scheduling, roster numbers, and
1
Special Education (continued from pg 1) special education teachers and cal assist equipment.
an end to downloading adminis- 4. The Special Incidence Portion
programming. (SIP), supports pupils who re-
The members of the Secondary Spe- trative work to Secondary Department
Heads are two areas still needing at- quire more than two full-time
cial Education Committee are the Su- staff to address the health and
perintendent of Human Resources, the tention. In addition, the employer and
administrators need to more effective- safety needs of both students
Superintendent of Special Education, who have extraordinarily high
a Superintendent of Schools, OECTA ly address health and safety matters as
they relate to special education. needs related to their disabili-
Secondary Reps (York Unit), one De- ties and/or exceptionalities
partment Head of Special Education Ultimately, improved working condi-
tions and reasonable workload matters and of others at their school.
and one special education teacher (ap- 5. The Facilities Amount (FA)
pointed by York Unit). We continue in special education require the gov-
ernment to provide sufficient monies supports education programs
to address issues regarding the lack for school-aged children and
of resources, the role of the Depart- to School Boards. Funding for Spe-
cial Education is quite complex. There youth in Government ap-
ment Head, and the reporting of ros- proved facilities.
ter numbers and sections. Specifically. are six components of Special Educa-
tion Grants (SEGs), each addressing 6. Finally, the Behaviour Exper-
we address the composition of tutorial tise Amount (BEA) provides
sections, equitable workload distribu- specific supports and/or programming
for students. Below is a summary of funding for the hiring of ad-
tion, PA day matters, exam accommo- ditional board level Applied
dations and modifications for students, Special Education funding.
1. The Special Education Per- Behavioural Analysis (ABA)
the role of Administration, and the de- expertise to support princi-
velopment of electronic attendance. Pupil Amount (SEPPA) rec-
ognizes the cost of providing pals, teachers, and multidisci-
A few years ago, when the employer plinary transition teams. Each
increased the workload of the Depart- assistance to the majority of
students with special educa- of these categories is further
ment Head by adding to their respon- divided and more specifically
sibilities, we successfully grieved the tion needs and is allocated
based on enrolment. determined.
employer because the matter had not Although recently we have seen a
been discussed at the committee level. 2. The High Needs Amount
(HNA) addresses the varia- slight monetary increase in some of
What is most critical at each of these these areas, other areas are still un-
committee meetings is the voice of the tion among boards with re-
spect to students with special derfunded and overall funding is inad-
teacher. Teachers are provided with equate.
an opportunity to bring forward the education needs and boards'
abilities to respond to these York Catholic teachers are dedicated
concerns they face in the classroom to meeting the needs of students and
every day. The Association continues needs.
3. The Equipment Amount to ensuring each child reaches his or
to collect roster numbers and course her potential. We cannot, however,
sections in secondary and to submit (SEA) is comprised of two
components each supporting continue to meet the increasing num-
these concerns to the Superintendents. bers and needs of students with inad-
Although the committees have been the purchase of equipment,
1) computers and related de- equate funding. We need adequate
effective and have made some gains and proper investments in our schools,
with the employer, there is still work vices and; 2) other equipment
including sensory, hearing, vi- especially in the area of special educa-
to be done. Equitable workload among tion, in order to provide the services
sion, personal care, and physi-
our students need and deserve.
2 www.yctoecta.com
Copyright - What you Need to Know & Your Legal Obligations As A Teacher
Michael Totten, 1st Vice President, Elementary CEO and Grievance Officer
Currently, there are several Catholic students. Boards are required to comply ers use the Fair Dealing Decision Tool.
School Boards in Ontario seeking legal with the Fair Dealing Guidelines as they This tool helps teachers decide, with
action in the Federal Court for a refund of fall under the legislation. just a few clicks, whether Fair Dealing
overpaid tariffs made to ‘Access Copy- Under the Fair Dealing Guidelines, teach- permits classroom use of short excerpts
right’. As part of the legal proceedings ers may: from print materials, artistic works, or
teachers, from randomly selected schools • Copy a short excerpt from a copy- audiovisual materials without needing
will be required to produce all physical right-protected work, to obtain copyright permission. It takes
copies of work used for teaching, and • Provide a single copy of this short 30 seconds on FairDealingDecisionTool.
work which was disseminated to students excerpt as a handout OR as a post- ca to determine if the intended use is fair
from 2013 to the present date. They will ing to a course, online, provided dealing.
also be required to provide lesson plans, it is both password protected and Teachers may not copy multiple short ex-
course syllabi, course outlines, source restricted to students of the school, cerpts from the same copyright-protected
materials, the curriculum used and daily where it is being posted work, as doing so could show they have
provided students with the entire work
over the school year, which is prohibited.
At no time is a teacher allowed to copy or
scan any materials intended for one-time
use i.e. WORKBOOKS.
A quick reference guide for teachers re-
garding Copyright can be found at: http://
cmec.ca/Publications/Lists/Publications/
Attachments/291/Copyright_Matters.pdf
Regarding Audio and Video materials
the board has renewed the following:
The licenses from VEC and ACF which
provide the following permissions:
The VEC Feature Film license gives
schools access to Learn360 feature films
This permits schools to watch movies for
educational purposes, as well as, fund-
raising and other entertainment events.
Movies can be watched in the classroom,
gym, library, and auditorium.
Admission fees can be charged and pro-
plans that will show what their students A short excerpt is identified as: ceeds kept.
were taught during the requested period. • Up to 10% from any copyright-pro-
Boards are hoping to recover money from tected work, The ACF Public Performance license
Access Copyright, and believe through • One chapter from a book, gives schools permission to conduct
the gathering of these materials they • One single article from a periodical, screenings of the feature-length films
can demonstrate that copyright require- • An entire artistic work from a copy- (list provided) and programs exclusively
ments have been adequately followed. If, right-protected work (drawing, map, represented in Canada by ACF under the
however, they learn that teachers have ex- chart, photograph, diagram, painting, following circumstances:
ceeded copyright limits, teachers in those print or plan), Presentations taking place
boards could be subject to discipline as • An entire newspaper article or page, • during school hours AND outside
per the policy. • An entire single poem or musical normal school hours
At York Catholic Policy #116 deals with score from a copyright-protected • for students enrolled within the
Copyright. Copyright deals with books, work containing other poems and/or schools AND audiences other than
periodicals, dramatic and musical com- musical scores, students during recess or lunchtime
positions, digital media (films, photo- • An entire entry from an encyclo- • for holiday reasons (Christmas, Hal-
graphs), websites and computer software. pedia, bibliography, dictionary, or loween, etc…)
Specifically, teachers need to ensure that similar reference material. • for special rewards programs
the Fair Dealing Guidelines are followed When choosing a short excerpt from a
when photocopying materials for their resource it is recommended that teach- Continued on Page 7
3
Christmas Party 2019 4 www.yctoecta.com
York Catholic Teachers - #RedForEd & On the Line
5
Pension Update 2019
Julie Pauletig, Councillor
The possibility of job action has caused many of our members some concern about the impact a walk out would have on their
pension, especially those nearing the end of their career. Fortunately for all of us this concern has been addressed. Over 30
years ago, all four affiliates (AEFO, ETFO, OECTA and OSSTF), through the OTF and partner discussions, established pro-
cedures whereby the affiliates committed to making missed contributions for those members in their best five years of salary
in teaching and whose pension would otherwise be negatively affected.
In a legal strike situation, all teachers will receive “service credit” based on their FTE (whether you work full time or
part-time) contractual status. If you are teaching full time you are considered 1.0 FTE. Your full-time status, as well as your
annual salary, are reported by the board to the OTPP, and therefore you will receive full (1.0) credit service year. However,
because during a strike you do not receive salary, your school year annual salary will not reflect the grid amount in the collec-
tive agreement. In addition, pension contributions for the school year will be less. For future reference, it is only in the case
of an illegal strike situation that the credit year is affected.
On another note, we are encouraged by the news that over the last five years our pension plan has reported a funding surplus.
These surpluses, although marginal in 2018, have been used to create a “conserve assets fund”. This fund, similar to a contin-
gency fund created to deal with an unexpected economic crisis, can be used to ensure conditional indexation is 100% and to
reduce our pension plan contributions.
In June 2017, after the OTPP audited statement was completed, the funding valuation was filed by both teacher and govern-
ment partners. This funding valuation of our teachers’ pension plan must occur at least once every three years, although it
is possible to file for a funding valuation within that time frame. The partners agreed to return to the pre-economic crisis
percentage of pension contributions effective January 1, 2018. During the 2013 economic crisis, contribution rates were in-
creased to 11.5% for the first $52,000 as per the CPP yearly maximum pensionable earnings (YMPE) and to 13.1% for salary
beyond the YMPE amount.
As a result of the pension surplus in 2017, effective January 1, 2018 contributions made by both the teachers and the gov-
ernment, were lowered to 10.4% on the first $55,900. (YMPE) and to 12% beyond those earnings. Simply put, contribution
amounts have been reduced resulting in an annual savings of 1.1% for both the government and for teachers.
Partners 2016 Contribu- 2017 Contribu- 2018 Contribu- 2018
( 50% shared) tions tions (new rates) 1.1% savings in
tions
contributions
Teachers (incl. $1.6815 B $1.6925 B $1.583 B $109 million
all admin, senior
admin, and MoE
employees)
Provincial Gov- $1.6815 B $1.6925 B $ 1.583B $109 million
ernment
Total $3.363Billion $3.385 Billion $3.166 Billion $219 million
The value of our OTPP pension plan, as of June 30, 2019, was $201.4 billion. Considering however that this pension is obli-
gated to pay retirement benefits to members for over 30 years, $201M is not an exorbitant amount.
There are currently 185,00 active members contributing to the OTPP and 142,000 retired members collecting these
benefits. The ratio of contributing members to members collecting benefits is 1.3:1.
Less than a decade ago there were 95 pensioners over the age of 100. That number has increased by 40% and today there are
133 individuals over the age of 100 receiving a pension from the OTPP.
Teachers are living longer and it is expected that teachers will receive a pension for 32 years on average. A longer life expec-
tancy does, in fact, put additional stress and increased liability on the OTPP. However, the average age of retirement has also
increased to age 59, which decreases OTPP liabilities.
In summary, we await the New Year and the OTPP 2019 report and look forward to optimum performance results.
6 www.yctoecta.com
Copyright...(continued from pg 3)
• during administrative meetings school These items can also be found in the
• for student activities AND not-for- On school grounds System Memo from Curriculum dated
profit school-related fundraising For educational purposes November 29th 2019.
purposes The Entandem license does not : Finally I would like to give a shout
• during inclement weather periods Cover public performances by third out to Daniel LaGamba, Coordinator
parties or by those who are not students, of Elementary Programs: Curriculum
The Entandem license (formally SO- teachers or school personnel & Assessment and Rita Campitelli,
CAN) allows YCDSB schools to publicly Cover publicly performed music in a Coordinator of Secondary Programs:
perform and play music by means of school or in school rooms that have Curriculum & Assessment, who are
performers in person or recorded music been permitted or loaned to a third party amazing resources for members who
without the need for a separate perform- Cover dramatic performances or any may have questions regarding Copy-
ing rights license if the performance is: opera, operetta,musical comedy, play or right and Fair Dealing.
By teachers, students or other staff of the such production
Health and Safety Activist Award Winner- Eric Longbotham
Filomena Ferraro
The Toronto & York Region Labour Council, working in
conjunction with Workers Health & Safety Centre, Cen-
tral Ontario Building Trades Council and Injured Workers
Consultants holds an annual Dinner to recognize the efforts
of activists who have made a difference in the prevention
of work-related injury & disease and the work of those who
have led the struggle for justice and fair compensation for
injured workers. This year we are proud that one of our
own, Eric Longbotham was presented with this award. Eric
was a member of our Joint Health and Safety Committee
from 2004-2019. From 2004-2008 he held the position of
OECTA Health and Safety Representative and from 2014-
2019 he was the Co-chair. Eric worked tirelessly to address
health and safety matters for all workers and his approach,
knowledge and advocacy was respected by many. Congrat-
ulations Eric, you deserve this award.
7
OECTA@OFL: Snapshot - 2019 Ontario Federation of Labour Convention
Karen Ebanks - Recording Secretary
The Ontario Federation of Labour held it’s brothers and sisters began job action with the protesters, including OECTA’s Provin-
15th biennial convention November 25- their first day of work-to-rule. OECTA cial President, Liz Stuart, who encouraged
29, 2019. The convention welcomed ap- Provincial President, Liz Stuart, spoke to everyone to stand together and to send a
proximately 1000 delegates from unions the house to acknowledge the significance clear message to Queen’s Park - Cuts Hurt
and labour councils across the province. of this day, and passionately expressed Kids. These systematic and measured
They were uniting to strategize on how to support and solidarity. Her words were efforts continue to be critical demonstra-
advance the rights of all workers in On- well-received by our ETFO and OSSTF tions in the fight to preserve the quality of
tario, to elect the OFL Executive and to brothers and sisters. Ontario’s publicly-funded education sys-
provide the OFL with an action plan for tem.
the next 2 years. OECTA had
a large delegation, 70 members Former MP Olivia Chow,
strong. Co-Convenor of the Civil
Human Rights Front, Figo
141 resolutions, capturing a Chan, and former Legisla-
range of issues in labour, were tive Councillor of Hong
submitted to the convention Kong and Chair of the Dem-
for consideration by the house. ocratic Party of Hong Kong
OECTA was a definitive pres- Emily Lau spoke to attend-
ence on the floor speaking to ees about the pursuit of Free-
resolutions of note. OECTA dom, Democracy and Per-
Past President, Ann Hawkins sonal Safety. They shared
urged the house to oppose cor- that the Hong Kong protests
porate for-profit child care. Hu- have seen 4000 arrested,
ron Perth Elementary OECTA have involved 1 in 3 Hong
President, Laura Ennett, spoke Kong citizens, and have seen
about the importance of protect- students being shot. In en-
ing the full-day Kindergarten couraging the house to stand
model, with both a teacher and in solidarity with the people
an early childhood educator in of Hong Kong, Emily Lau
the classroom. OECTA Provin- advised the house to “have
cial Councillor, Diana Corazza, the courage of conviction to
shared how increased privatiza- do what you think is right”
tion of public services is having and to “be eternally vigilant
a disproportionate impact on in safeguarding what you
women. Kenora OECTA Presi- value.” What would the
dent, Leanne Davidson, spoke about the At each biennial convention, the Execu- landscape of Ontario look like if 1 in 3
importance of investing in mental health tive is elected to lead the Ontario Feder- Ontarians weighed in, and had the cour-
services, and the struggles that ensue from ation of Labour for a 2-year term. This age of conviction to do what they thought
the fear of being judged. OECTA Provin- year the positions of President and Vice- was right?
cial 1st Vice President, Barb Dobrowolski, President were contested and an election
urged the house to oppose public funding was held. Patty Coates made history as Throughout the convention, the Ontario
of private education in Ontario. Victoria the first woman ever to be elected to the Federation of Labour recognizes mem-
Lipinski-Pietrantonio of Hamilton-Went- position of President. She is joined by bers with various awards. Michelle Blais,
worth OECTA spoke about being silenced Vice-President Janice Folk-Dawson and member of Toronto Secondary Unit-
after experiencing violence and encour- Secretary-Treasurer Ahmad Gaied. OECTA received the Solidarity and Pride
aged the house to support improving pub- Activist award for her exemplary efforts
lic education by reducing violence in the I attended the convention November to fight for human rights, equity and in-
classroom. OECTA Provincial 3rd Vice 27 and 28. Here are some highlights of clusion for 2SLGBTQI+ people. In her
President, Anthony Rocchio, addressed these 2 action-packed days... acceptance speech Michelle celebrated
teacher safety in the classroom and the the gains that have been made to date, and
right to be safe at work. I spoke about En- On November 27, dozens of protesters recognized the extent of work that still
vironmental Justice for Racialized Low- headed to Ogden Junior Public School to needs to be done.
Income and Indigenous Ontarians, and the greet the Minister of Education, Minister
right to clean water for all. Stephen Lecce, who was there making an Guest speaker, MP Matthew Green of
announcement about bully prevention, the Hamilton Centre, inspired the house to
York OECTA Councillor, Michael Oys- day after ETFO and OSSTF began their embrace the Power of Many, and to recog-
ton, invited the house to wear Red for Ed. job action. Later that same day hundreds nize what we can accomplish if we work
He spoke about the cuts to education and of convention delegates braved the rain to together. He asked the delegation to re-
the very real impact these cuts are hav- participate in the Power of Many March peat “Je suis un militant” to awaken our
ing in our classrooms and on our jobs. to Queen’s Park to oppose Premier Ford’s internal activist to continue fighting for
On November 26, our ETFO and OSSTF cuts. Heads of Teachers Unions addressed the betterment of all.
8 www.yctoecta.com
ronment. Another participant spoke about is a Serial Killer.”
A panel on Legal Aid Cuts and Access to taking solutions to the climate emergency
Justice stated that contrary to government beyond our personal actions to social and Convention delegates had the opportunity
messaging, legal aid cuts do not save political actions. Participants were en- to debate and vote on the Ontario Federa-
money. They shared that without legal couraged to submit climate emergency tion of Labour’s Action Plan for the next
aid, cases may go unrepresented. They resolutions to their union’s annual general two years. The most contentious debate
noted that these unrepresented cases take meetings to prioritize climate justice. For took place over whether or not a general
substantially longer in the judicial sys- more information, please visit labour- strike is in order. Some delegates felt that
tem, thereby increasing court costs. Lack council.ca/climate. now was the time to organize a province-
of representation can cause an increased wide strike, while other felt that we were
financial burden on hospitals or shelters A forum on the Burden of Occupational not yet at that moment in time. One del-
or wherever some of our most vulnerable Disease highlighted that the climate egate asserted - “If the teachers pull the
and marginalized citizens without access emergency is not separate from Health trigger, we should all be ready to go.”
to legal aid may end up. and Safety issues. They noted that there
is a need to win back and to improve The question shall be put - when we
all get involved in the broader labour
movement, unite to advance the rights of
all workers, and are eternally vigilant in
safeguarding what we value, what will
solidarity look like in Ontario? “The
people. United. Will never be defeated.”
The Refugee Next Door Campaign,
through Labour Community Services, the toxic use reduction laws that have
unpacked several myths about refugees, been canceled by the current provincial
including: refugees are a risk to Canadian government. They stated that online
security (in actuality, refugees experience information and videos are not the type
a rigorous security screening through the of training we envision for workers.
Canadian Security Intelligence Service); Natasha Luckhardt, creator of the docu-
families of refugees become economically mentary “Town of Widows”, shared her
and socially dependent on Canada (in ac- journey when researching how workers
tuality, the income of employed refugees and their families in Peterborough were
is on par with economic immigrants); impacted by the General Electric plant,
refugees take advantage of the healthcare which operated there for over a century.
system (in actuality, the cost of health- Janice Martell, Founder of the McIntyre
care for refugees and refugee claimants Powder Project - “Occupational Disease
amounts to just 10% of that of other Ca-
nadians). Delegates were encouraged to
connect with an organization serving
refugees, such as the Canadian Coun-
cil for Refugees or the Ontario Coun-
cil of Agencies Serving Immigrants, to
learn more.
Toronto and York Region Labour
Council hosted a Climate Caucus to a
packed room. We were privileged to
hear official greetings from an Indig-
enous unionized worker who opened
the caucus. One participant introduced
himself as “the bad guy” because he
worked on pipelines, and expressed
that more information needs to be
shared to gain a fuller understanding
of the impact of pipelines on the envi-
9
Cellphone Ban and Policy 311 - Digital Discipleship
Michael Oyston - YCT OECTA Counsellor
On November 4, 2019, the province’s new words, if you are working on a design pro- from their assigned tasks. Ensuring that
cell phone ban came into effect and you ject with your students and create the next students have been given clear direction
have probably noticed that it has had zero million-dollar app, don’t expect to make about what the internet and their devic-
to little effect on your classroom routines. any profit from it. The board will thank es should be used for and how it relates
As educators, we have established prac- you, tweet your picture, and then proceed to the content, will save you headaches
tices that guide student use of electronic to own, and profit from any funds gener- down the road. In addition to clearly
devices in the classroom. It was clear ated from, the product. Keep in mind that outlining for students what they need the
from the outset that this policy announce- similar ownership also pertains to any les- internet for, the policy also states that,
ment was designed to influence the public sons or resources you create using board “Prior to permitting students to use the
and the perception that the Ford Govern- resources. If you are using @ycdsb.ca or internet as part of an ongoing lesson, the
ment was looking out for kids. As edu- @ycdsbk12.ca domains to create prod- teacher should ensure that there is clear
cators, we have been managing devices ucts, they will belong to the board. written instruction outlining the goal for
in our classes for years and adapting our such a use and that the students under-
classroom practices to meet the emerging In terms of a direct impact on classroom stand the parameters.” In other words,
trends of electronics in the classroom. instruction, the new policy indicates that ensure that your lesson plans indicate
before using technology for a lesson, it is what the technology is being used for and
that students receive that message.
“...educators should not be The Annual Technology Consent Form
confiscating devices from students if includes information not found in this
new policy. This is the form which is
there are issues of non-compliance signed by students and parents each year
and outlines acceptable use of electronic
with teacher requests” devices by students. The annual consent
form allows for teachers to confiscate
devices and not assume responsibility
What does impact educators, however, is the responsibility of the teacher, “To link for the devices if they become damaged
the YCDSB’s new Digital Discipleship the use of the internet and related applica- or lost while in the teacher’s posses-
Policy (Policy 311 - Digital Disciple- tions such as interactive websites and so- sion. This is not made explicitly clear
ship - Student use of Technology). The cial media groups to ongoing coursework, in the new policy document. As such,
policy outlines for educators the rationale unit plans and curriculum-related learn- educators should not be confiscating
in which electronic devices may be used ing.” The wording in this section of the devices from students if there are is-
in schools. Specifically, it states that de- policy indicates that the idea of “free time sues of non-compliance with teacher
vices may be used by students for the fol- on computers” really isn’t something that requests. Teachers should ask that de-
lowing reasons: we should include in our lessons. When vices be put away if students are using
1. For health and medical purposes them when they are not supposed to be
2. To support special education needs doing so. If non-compliance continues
3. For educational purposes, as directed conduct reports should be completed and
by an educator. the students should be directed to admin-
istration.
Number three above is the area that will
have the greatest impact on your class- Although the administration should be
rooms and will be an area where you reviewing all policies with the staff, we
have already established the parameters as educators are responsible for being
in which you have allowed students to ac- familiar with board policies. Please en-
cess personal electronic devices. sure that you take the time to read and
familiarize yourself with policies that can
One interesting inclusion is the addition have a direct impact on your classroom
of section 3.12 of the policy which reads, routines and practices.
“Students accessing technology and re-
sources understand that the Board retains students are online or using devices, the
ownership of intellectual property, where content they are accessing should be di-
the Board’s resources or expertise are used rectly linked to curriculum expectations.
to create a product or practice that may As educators, we already know this, but
have commercial significance.” In other we also know that students will wander
10 www.yctoecta.comAn Update from Your OTRO A record 18 members also signed up
Anna Polisco for the OT Bargaining Committee. After
The last four months have been busy but considering members at large as well as tee is bringing a motion to the executive
very rewarding as I attended meetings from the OT Committee, the elemen- for an Interview workshop to be held
and assisted members with staffing, sick tary and secondary panels, members in May 2020. We want to hear from
and maternity leave, SFE issues as well with daily and LTO experience, newer you regarding any other opportunities
as other matters to support Occasional and experienced members, as well as or issues that you would like us to look
Teachers. It gratifies me to announce member involvement, the OT Committee into, case in point being one issue that a
that 14 members signed up for the OT recommended names for the Bargaining member of the OT Committee brought
Committee. They are Maureen Atcheson, Committee to be approved at the next to our attention that resulted in an Ac-
Teresa Carvalho, Marisa Dametto, Executive Meeting. In the new year we tion Directive that York Unit and the OT
Destiny Pimentel DeFaria, Daniel Fiore, hope to hit the ground running with a Representatives will bring to the OECTA
John Fitzpatrick, Loredana Foti, Amanda bargaining survey and OT information March 2020 AGM for consideration.
Gervasi, Patricia Graham, Gabriella meetings to prepare for local bargaining.
Maia, Maria Santella, Vito Totino, Franca Lastly, with OECTA filing for Conciliation
Vescio, Sarah Welk. We already had two We took note and adopted the York Unit we need your support and participa-
very productive meetings where commit- moto of giving back to our members, and tion. I want to stress the importance of
tee members brought forward a number a number of OTs won Marlies tickets for being proactive. To date, only 50% of
of issues for discussion - some of which attending different committee and union OTs activated their secure YCOT gmail
were resolved with ease. Other issues meetings. We had mix reviews regarding accounts, so if you didn’t already do so,
were noted for discussion at our liaison the Marlies tickets, but we are mindful of it is imperative for you to activate your
meeting with the board, or placed on the our OT budget and all the changes hap- account as this is the only way for you to
list of issues to be brought forward dur- pening during this year of integration, receive pertinent Union and Bargaining
ing bargaining priorities. If you encounter and we thought it prudent to start out information.
any of the OT Committee members on small. However, the executive recently
your day to day journey at the different approved an OT PD Subsidy for Confer- As always, should you have any ques-
schools, please introduce yourself, and ences as well as Blue Jays tickets for later tions, feedback, opinions or concerns,
let us know if you have any suggestions in the year. please don't hesitate to reach out to me
or concerns. We are all here to look out – I’m only a phone call, or email away,
for you and to help enrich your experi- The OT PA Day at Cardinal Carter was and my door is always open!
ence as an occasional teacher. well received with over 250 members
attending, and it was lovely to meet so
many of our members. The OT Commit-
Christmas Donations for Covenant House
11Children’s Christmas Party 2019 The tradition continues 32 years later!A very successful Children’s Christmas Party took place on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at St. Elizabeth CHS. Many children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews of York Unit members were in attendance. We invite you to join us next year at this annual event. 12 www.yctoecta.com
13
StrikeVote Rally: OT’s Demand to be Heard Amidst Cuts
Marisa Dametto, Occasional Teacher
The last time I used thunder sticks, I was to the livelihood of young teachers who
at a university football game. Students are trying to establish a career after six
had gathered from all corners of the years of post-secondary education and
campus and alumni returned to their alma training, only to be shuffled around from
mater from far and wide for the event. school to school in LTOs for another six
Everyone donned the colours of the to 10 years or more.
school with pride and a sense of unity as
the crowd chanted cheers of support for Does the Minister of Education, Steven
the home team in unison. The stands were Lecce, have facts and figures on how this
full, the energy was high and one thing shuffling alone affects student and teacher
was certain: this was going to be a tough wellbeing, as occasional teachers juggle
battle. new subject curriculum and grade levels,
new supplementary programming and
On November 6, 2019, 900 Catholic extracurriculars at new schools every few
permanent and occasional teachers from months? All of these issues are in addi-
across York Region gathered at the Para- tion to the more publicly visible ramifi-
dise Banquet Hall in Vaughan, Ontario cations of the cuts, including increasing
to attend a Strike Rally and prepare for a class sizes and a reduction in special
battle of our own. education services, among others.
The rally was held ahead of the province- There are approximately 1200 occasional
wide OECTA strike vote on November teachers out of a total of approximately
12th and 13th, and was meant to inform 4400 instructional staff at the York
teachers about the damaging cuts to edu- Catholic District School Board alone. If
cation proposed by the provincial govern- 27% or roughly one-quarter of teachers in
ment that would adversely affect working the board are occasional, then occasional
and learning conditions in schools. teachers are well aware of the challenges
students and teachers are already facing
Thundersticks in hand, sporting Red For in classrooms across York Region. Why?
Ed t-shirts and chanting cheers opposing Because we’ve probably been to all of
these cuts, teachers heard this message them. It’s simple: you can’t do more with
loud and clear. More importantly, they less.
were ready to act, as they delivered a
strong strike mandate at 97.1% of the While this battle is a daunting one, it
membership in favour of job action. is one worth fighting for, and the strike
vote said it all. Occasional and perma-
I wish I could say this number is surpris- nent teachers alike will stand in solidar-
ing. In my sixth year of teaching, at my ity to protect the quality of education in
eighth school as a long-term occasional our schools, thunder sticks in hand. It’s
teacher, many of the realities of these about to get loud.
potential cuts hit close to home.
In her speech at the rally, York Unit
President, Filomena Ferraro, shared that
even though our board saw an increase in
student enrolment, the number of teach-
ers decreased due to the government cuts:
“Occasional Teachers will have to wait
longer for a permanent job and we have
already seen a decrease in the number
of LTO positions, and OTs have to wait
longer to be added to the LTO list.”
As a new teacher, the prognosis is not
looking good. These cuts are devastating
14 www.yctoecta.comWhy I voted YES to a Strike Mandate
Anthony Perrotta, Toronto OECTA Member
This morning, Ontario Minister of tion from a biased lens. Of course,
Education Stephen Lecce is visiting I am concerned about job security, Reflecting on my YES, it’s one that I
the school in which I proudly teach. benefits and income. Who wouldn’t share with pronunciation as Minister
This comes at a time when all On- be? Like so many Ontarians, I have Lecce visits my school community
tario teacher unions are at a cross- a family and children to care for and today. During the critical time in
roads with the bargaining process, I’ve worked incredibly hard to evolve which OECTA filed for conciliation
have held overly successful Strike into a proficient, diverse and peda- due to the Minister’s dismissal of the
votes and have been placed within gogically grounded educator with rich government’s bargaining team and
a maze of displacing rhetoric from experience. overall lack of bargaining etiquette,
the Minister who readily holds press the school setting is now being used
conferences about his commitment to However, my advocacy is very much for what can understandably be per-
students and their families all while about education itself. I believe in ceived as politicized gain. Although,
cultivating a culture of divisiveness being a life-long professional learner it can be argued and valued that such
during the bargaining process. As and work exhaustively to provide stu- a visit is positive as it’s a celebration
Minister Lecce, my very own MPP, dents with the very best educational of both student learning and teach-
visits my school community today, experience possible in and outside of ers’ meaningful work, the timing for
I stand firmly in my advocacy for the classroom – this includes curricu- OECTA members brings discomfort.
publicly funded education both as a lar and everything else that enriches
teacher and parent. a students’ schooling experience in a This is the emptiness of it all. From
positive way. This means, I under- all the positive words said about
Importantly, as an OECTA member, stand that we can always do better but teachers and education on Twitter or
last week I voted YES in response also urgently know that our Ontario Instagram, the failure to meaningfully
to the Association’s call for a strike education system is not broken. It is act at the bargaining table, illustrates
vote mandate. This mandate is one of modern. Great work is being done by the hypocrisy of today’s visit.
pressing urgency as the Ford govern- teachers and so many other positive
ment machine continues to disman- stakeholders. You can’t celebrate great learning if
tle the legacy of a world-renowned you’re not willing to meaningfully
Ontario education system. I voted Looking back to the Rally for Edu- be a partner in ensuring that students
YES in response to a government and cation at Queen’s Park on April 6, will have access to courses of inter-
Minister who clearly views teachers I attended not just as a teacher but est (electives in high school), be in a
as expendable pawns and professes parent of two elementary school-aged classroom with a constructive teacher
“modernizing education” without a children and as a taxpayer. I rallied – student ratio, fund programming
critical understanding of what newly then for the same reason I voted YES for the most vulnerable learners,
implemented policies mean for learn- last week. It was my stand against a adequately fund parent-engagement
ers and their families. Importantly, disconnected government that does groups and eliminate mandatory
the education system is being led by not value or understand the depth of eLearning (not simply lower the
someone who is not an educator and the world-class education system we threshold).
who does not truly know the reali- have in Ontario. Whether it be Public,
ties of the everyday publicly funded French or Catholic, Ontario educa- Today is a curious day. Today is an
school system. This system is layered tion is recognized as a world leader awkward day. Today, I share that I
and schooling is so much more than and that can’t be disputed by any voted YES. I don’t want to strike but
curriculum. person who is truly informed. Again, will if it means advocating for my
of course we can always do better and students, my profession and my own
As a teacher of 15 years, it’s hard evolve. However, our system is not children.
pressed of me not to look at this situa- broken.
15ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONDOLENCES & SYMPATHY
Condolences to the Mudge family
on the death of Sara Mudge, teacher
librarian at Prince of Peace and St.
Thomas Aquinas
.
Eleanora Aresta, teacher at St. Gabriel Nella Macciacchera, teacher at St. Mary
BIRTHS AND ADOPTIONS the Archangel on the death of her uncle. Immaculate on the death of her mother-
Andrew Chun, teacher at St. Joseph- Catherine Barrett, teacher at St. Nicho- in-law.
Markham on the birth of his daughter las on the death of her uncle. Rosanna Manzerra, teacher at Cardinal
Angela. Amanda China, teacher at Fr. John Carter CHS on the death of her father.
Alissa De Thomasis, teacher at Fr. Bres- Kelly on the death of her mother. Gisella Mirarchi, teacher at St. Clem-
sani CHS and Richard De Thomasis, Vanessa de Sousa, teacher at Guardian ent and Giovanni Mirarchi, teacher at
teacher at St. Clement on the birth of Angels on the death of her grandfather. St. Jean de Brebeuf CHS on the death of
their daughter Avery. Edna Di Falco, teacher at St. Stephen their grandfather.
Joe DiNunzio, teacher at St. Robert CHS and Treasurer on the York Unit Execu- Daniela Nalli, teacher at Cardinal Carter
on the birth of his son Gabriel. tive, on the death of her father-in-law. CHS on the death of her mother.
Josephine Gabriel, teacher at OLA, on Lisa Di Sera, teacher at Good Shepherd Michael Oyston, teacher at St. Augustine
the birth of her twins Gioia and Marco. on her father. CHS and Councillor on the York Unit Ex-
Sara Game, teacher at St. Bernadette and Cristina Fantauzzi, teacher at Fr. M. ecutive, on the death of his father-in-law.
Mark McCusker, teacher at San Lorenzo McGivney CHS and Marc Fantauzzi, Carole Peterson, teacher at St. Elizabeth
Ruiz on the birth of their son. teacher at St. Joan of Arc CHS on the Seton on the death of her father-in-law.
Sandra Grossi, teacher at OLF on the death of their grandfather. Flora Pupo, teacher at St. David on the
birth of her son Mateo. Fabiana Faria, teacher at St. Cecilia, on death of her mother.
Leah Iacurti, teacher at St. Robert CHS the death of her uncle. Jennifer Rock, teacher at Guardian An-
on the birth of her son James. Nora FitzGerald, teacher at St. Matthew gels on the death of her uncle.
Melissa Mazzone, teacher at Fr. John & St. John XXIII on the death of her Loredana Scocco, teacher at St. Charles
Kelly on the birth of her daughter Mad- father. Garnier on the death of her uncle.
dison. Lucia Gennaro, teacher at Guardian Susan Tomei, teacher at Divine Mercy on
Marilyn Seca, teacher at St. Marguerite Angels on the death of her father. the death of her mother.
d’Youville, on the birth of her daughter Erin Geraghty, teacher at Sr. R. Scott on Rosa Tymkow, teacher at San Lorenzo
Solyana. the death of her father. Ruiz on the death of her mother-in-law.
Gabriela Serbu, teacher at Holy Cross Natasha Giambagno, teacher at Corpus Josephine Venditti, teacher at St. Peter on
CHS on the birth of her son Alexander. Christi on the death of her grandmother. the death of her father.
Mike Spensieri, teacher at Jean Vanier Fiorina Gregoris, teacher at St. Jean de
CHS on the birth of his son Leonardo. Brebeuf CHS on the death of her father.
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