District 14 has long supported the Stephen Lewis Foundation and all his efforts to fight the AIDS pandemic in Southern Africa.  We encourage our members to consider finding out about this fundraising effort which will show how much Canadians care for those millions of people who are suffering through a deadly pandemic that has been pushed from the public consciousness as a pressing global concern.

As the Autumn leaves begin to drop, and the days and weeks of semester one begin to slip past, the colder weather and flu season will be upon us soon.  This year, the added stress of the uncertainty surrounding the pH1N1 is making it difficult for many people in our community to make informed choices about how best to remain health.   As teachers we are required to be many things to many people, but one thing we are not is Health Professionals.   Given the stakes involved for all of us every provincial ministry has been studying the issue, and rushing to put together protocols and measures to protect the general public.  Unfortunately sometimes these ministries work at cross purposes, and many of them converge upon the Educational System.  In an effort to sort out the maze of information, pronouncements, and contradictory messages the Ontario Secondary Schools Teachers’ Federation has been carefully monitoring how each of the School Boards in Ontario have prepared to protect students and staff.

The good news is that Kawartha Pine Ridge District School board is among the boards that has a good plan.  They have consulted extensively with all of their labour partners in adapting an existing emergency protocol for situations just like this H1N1 pandemic.  The complete plan has been posted on the KPR website.   As a result of careful study of the available research, OSSTF has argued that students and teachers within the education system are more likely to be exposed to and contract the virus than the broader community. 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Education International (EI) jointly sponsor and promote World Teachers’ Day.  UNESCO inaugurated October 5^th as World Teachers’ Day in 1993.  The day acknowledges the appreciation felt by the world body for the fundamental role played by teachers and aims to rally support for teachers to ensure that the educational needs of future generations will continue to be met. 

This year’s theme is “Build the Future: Invest in Teachers Now.”  The day will focus on the role of teachers within the context of the global financial and economic crisis. It will highlight the need to invest in teachers now a s a means to secure post-crisis regeneration.

OSSTF/FEESO has been a supporter of EI and World Teacher’s Day for many years.  This year we have sponsored a full page ad in the Toronto Star’s education insert.

Unforeseen misfortune can happen to any of us.  Benevolent Council is an OSSTF answer, for those unique situations where members find themselves in dire financial circumstances and have no where to turn.  The following article details all the information required to make an application to Benevolent Council. 

The purpose of Benevolent Council is to provide active members with assistance that find themselves in dire financial need due to:  a) a prolonged illness,   b) a severe accident, or c) extreme emergency. 

Benevolent Council meets five times a year to decide who should might qualify for assistance.  The dates set for this year are:

September 21

November 16

January 11

March 8

May 10

There is a movement within the OSSTF to change the way we do our business.   A small dedicated crew of members is trying to transform OSSTF to consider greener ways of getting our job done.   A report entitled, “Small Steps to a Greener Union” was presented at the Annual Meeting of Professional Associates (AMPA) last March.  In that document it challenged the all the Districts to take a critical look at how it operates, so that we can all make changes to reduce our footprint on the environment.  The report has several categories, each with its own checklist.  Districts are not expected to adopt all suggestions, but it gives everyone a place to start, and certainly things to consider. 

Here at District 14 we are up for the challenge of making our organization more efficient and less wasteful of energy and other finite resources.  We are currently forming a sub committee to study the list of recommendations set out in the provincial document,  and to make recommendations to the District TBU council to implement these changes.   If you are interested in being involved with this transformation please contact the District, by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or just calling the office at 705 748 3444. 

OSSTF / FEESO has published a list of valuable weblinks for New Teachers.  A copy of the publication can be accessed in our Educational Resources section of the Documents tab or by clicking HERE .

As part of the 2009 / 2010 OSSTF / FEESO Action Plan, a focus will be placed on providing New Teachers and New Members to the Federation with greater access to resources, including the development of a New Teacher's Toolkit.  Workshops have also been developed for Federation leaders to assist them in New Member outreach.

New Members to OSSTF District 14 are encouraged to review the information under the "New Members" tab and to ask their Branch Representatives or District Office if they have any questions about the Federation and their profession.

Most of you probably have received your copy of Professionally Speaking, the magazine that is published at your expense by the Ontario College of Teachers.  Professional Designation is the pitch.  The cover story launches this latest initiative from the College of Teachers and is now steam rolling the objective forward without much consent from teachers.

Ontario Certified Teacher  designation has been given to all teachers in this province, and College of Teachers believes that it will help in “defining teachers’ professional status and their adherence to the profession’s ethical and practice standards” and that such “a title could enhance fellowship and shared identity among members of the teaching profession. It could also boost the image of the profession for teachers and the public alike”.  This all appears to be a good idea on the surface.  After all we want to project a good image within the community, and gain more respect for our tough jobs.

There are many teachers, staff and students in our schools who are concerned about the pH1N1 flu that is expected to arrive this flu season.  There have been many different concerns about the virus, and how we as teachers are supposed to help cope with its inevitable arrival.  It is important to understand that there is no need to panic. There are measures that every teacher can take to minimize their exposure, and keep safe from infection.   

 Teachers can also play a role in minimizing the impact of H1N1 by being well informed, coaching their students to take proper precautions, which include simple things like proper hand washing, respiratory techniques, and a bit of common sense.