Resource Rebates - Remember thatTVOT members may submit a claim for up to $75 to be used to purchase professional book(s) or resources related to their elementary professional needs. Members may submit one claim/school year using the form which is available to members who register on our Local website www.etfotvot.com .
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More Paid PD - Were you aware that TVOT members can participate in paid PD anytime, and from anywhere? Check out what TVDSB is offering for online professional development at https://stafflearninghub.tvdsb.ca/d2l/home/13821 and follow the directions so that you are paid on completion of the module. Further information is available in the Staff Development section of the Staff Hub.
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Please sign the Petition! TVOT members are being encouraged to seek out the ETFO Petitions that Stewards are collecting at their schools. This is part of ETFO's bargaining campaign for reduced class sizes, and completed petitions will be submitted to Queen's Park by Provincial ETFO, in support of the next round of negotiations. Click here for more information - https://etfocb.ca/
Explore the world of money through some practical approaches that align with the financial literary strand in Mathematics. Join the Bank of Canada Museum for this informative presentation and learn all about saving and spending, budgeting and investing and calculating and converting change. You’ll be provided with multiple entry points into financial literacy and money for Grades K-6, including interactive lesson plans, activities, and even an escape room!
Meet your Presenter Heather Montgomery is a long-time museum educator who has a passion for inquiry-learning and making economics fun. She designed the Bank of Canada Museum’s successful on-site school programs and has worked on many lesson plans including learning about bank notes, money and math, and inflation.
Next up !
It Starts with Words…Commemorating the Holocaust (en anglais seulement) Date: January 27, 2026 Time: 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorates the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. In this webinar you will be guided through Liberation75’s new 3-module classroom-ready student program, Surviving the Holocaust, By Chance Alone: Max Eisen’s Story. Designed to support Holocaust curriculum in Ontario classrooms, this program can be integrated into a variety of grades and subject areas. Participants will be introduced to both student and teacher resources that are included in the program.
Meet your Presenter Melissa Mikel recently earned her Doctoral Degree in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Gratz College. She began her career as an elementary school teacher in rural Ontario, before serving as Director of Education with the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies in Toronto for sixteen years. In this capacity, Dr. Mikel created and implemented extensive programming on topics of the Holocaust, antisemitism, and racism for thousands of students, educators, law enforcement personnel, and other professionals from diverse sectors across Canada. She is currently the director of scholarships for the 30 Birds Foundation and works as a consultant with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre and Liberation75.
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2026 OTIP Teaching Awards— Nominations now open!
There are three categories of awards: elementary teacher, secondary teacher and beginning teacher (in the first five years of teaching). A teacher may be nominated by anyone—professional colleagues, students, parents, or the general public.
Winners will receive a personal award of $1,000 and a Certificate of Recognition.
The Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) and the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF) are proud co-sponsors of the OTIP Teaching Awards. For many years, these awards have recognized the excellence of our teachers in publicly funded education.
1) The minimum pay a daily OT will receive is for a half-day. Remuneration will be pro-rated for assignments that exceed a half-day / 150 minutes. (Article L7.03) N.B. Those who teach in secondary as well, cannot exceed one full day by teaching partial assignments in both panels. (Article L7.04)
2) The Education Act requires all Teachers to "...be present in the classroom or teaching area and ensure that the teaching area is ready for the reception of pupils at least 15 minutes before the commencement of classes in the school in the morning and where applicable, 5 minutes before the commencement of classes in the school in the afternoon."
3) Being a member of ETFO means you never have to stand alone! Your TVOT Local is here to support you and to advocate for you. Contact us with questions or concerns at 519-641-3936 or by email at mail@etfotvot.com .
4) A daily OT who accepts an assignment, shall be placed in that assignment UNLESS they have accepted a non-classroom job in which case they can be re-assigned when there is a vacant classroom position at the school. (Article L16.07)
5) LTOs who are participating in NTIP, do not participate in the Teacher Performance Appraisal elements of the program, submitting long-range plans, observations etc., as these requirements are only for permanent Teachers.
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Friday, January 30th is a PA day and TVDSB is offering an opportunity for daily OTs to participate in PD sessions and be paid as if they were teaching.
Half-day sessions are still available for the following:
- Diving into Equity in Your Role
- Anti-Sex Trafficking: Why Education Matters
- Math Scope & Sequence: A Digital Toolkit for OTs
- Physical Education on the Go: Ideas for OTs
For information about these sessions, and to register, log into the Employee Portal and click on "Conference/Session Registration where you will find "Elementary/Dual Occasional Teacher PD". It's your negotiated opportunity to Earn While You Learn on a day when you normally would lose the chance to work.
N.B. - These sessions are for daily OTs and those in LTOs of .5 or less FTE.
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tag @OTIP on Facebook, @OTIP_Insurance on X, or @otip_insurance
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complete insurance solutions built for the education community. Get a quote to
receive a $20 gift card: https://bit.ly/4j1DOTf
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As of this year, Bell will have donated $194 million for mental health initiatives through the Bell Let's Talk campaign.
Visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk to download the Bell Let’s Talk toolkit and Conversation Guides and share your own actions using #BellLetsTalk.
1) TVARRIS glitches are most prevalent when members are using the mobile app. TVDSB recommends members use the web browser on their phones instead, and the Local thanks the many members who reported this issue to us so that we could bring the matter to the attention of the Board.
2) The TVARRIS job number determines who will be paid - the OT with the job number when they arrive at school, will always be the person who is paid so be certain that the Teacher who requested you, inputs the absence into the system, or you may be disappointed to find someone else has picked up the job.
3) When job-shopping, members will only see jobs that are available from the schools they have selected in their TVARRIS profile so OTs may wish to make themselves more widely available. Consider the many county schools just outside the city - they are often gems!
4) The September Apple iOS 26 release has new screening features which may affect OTs receiving calls from TVARRIS so we encourage members to add the TVARRIS number to your Contacts: 1-888-209-3162
5) An OT who has cancelled a previously accepted job may not accept another job for that same day without first contacting the TVARRIS Coordinator. (No more than 3 occurrences per school year).
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- TVDSB automatically deducts the annual Ontario College of Teachers' (OCT) fee from the salary of those who are in a long-term assignment at the beginning of each January so check you upcoming pay stub to ensure. OCT fees are due in January.
- TVDSB only requires daily OTs to teach 10 days per school year in order to remain on the elementary OT List.
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Start the new year with
an extra $100 in your pocket when you open and invest in a new RRSP, TFSA,
FHSA, or non-registered account* at (please tag @Educators Financial Groupon Facebookor@EducatorsFGon X/Instagram).
Invest in your future today: https://bit.ly/44H8WS7. #EFGtips
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LTOs and Snow Days: Just a reminder to those in long-term assignments that if necessary, they can access an "Act of Nature" day if it is unsafe to drive -
Article L9.04(b)Act of Nature – A Long-Term Occasional Teacher who is unavoidably absent due to a local act of nature over which no one has control may be granted up to three (3) school days leave per school year with no deduction of sick leave. A Teacher may apply in writing to the Superintendent of Human Resources or designate for an increase in the maximum allowable days under this section. It is understood and agreed that a “local act of nature” is an act of nature that occurs within the geographic area between the Teacher’s home address and the school or worksite of said Teacher.
It is understood as agreed to under the Central Letter of Agreement #7 that the combined maximum number of days for care days and act of nature days is five (5) days per school year. The days shall not be used for the purpose of sick leave nor shall they be accumulated from year to year.
Please also note -
Article L10.01: INCLEMENT WEATHER - A Long-Term Occasional Teacher or a Short-Term Occasional Teacher who is delayed by local weather and/or road conditions but arrives at school as soon as possible during the regular school hours of that day will not have a salary deduction made. It is the Occasional Teacher’s responsibility to notify the Principal, Supervisor or designate of the situation as soon as possible. “Local” means within the geographic area between the Occasional Teacher’s home address and the school or worksite of said Occasional Teacher.
Paid PD - Registration opens in the Employee Portal at 8:30 AM on Thursday for dinner and your choice from one of 3 paid after school PD sessions being hosted by your TVOT Local on January 15/26 at the BMO Centre. Details about each session can be found on the registration page of the Portal.
1) Using Abstract Art Expression to Include All Learners: An Indigenous Perspective
2) Exploring Elements of Design through Ceramic Painting
3) Mindfulness: Well-Being in a Busy World
When - Thursday, January 15, 2026 (4:30 - 7:30 PM)
Where - BMO Centre, 295 Rectory Street, London (parking on site)
A buffet dinner is provided. Please direct any dietary concerns to mail@etfotvot.com
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- Article L16.05 (c) states: An Occasional Teacher who cancels a previously accepted assignment may not accept another assignment scheduled for that same day without first contacting the TVARRIS Coordinator up to a maximum of three (3) occurrences per school year.
- The Board will electronically submit your Record of Employment (ROE) to Service Canada within five (5) days of a break in work (Winter Holidays, March Break, and Summer Holidays). You will need to create a My Service Canada Account (MSCA) to access your ROE and to apply for EI benefits.
- Unfortunately, Daily Occasional Teachers do not have access to a benefit plan.
- The TVDSB provides TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available 24/7 to all employees for free confidential counselling, health promotion, and prevention. To access support, call 1 (844) 958-5105, visit https://tvdsb.lifeworks.com/, or download the TELUS Health One smartphone app, and use your TVDSB Single Sign On to log in. Additional information about TELUS Health can be found on TVDSB’s TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program
(EAP) SharePoint page. You will need your
employee login and personal password to access this information).
- Board employees have the right to disconnect from work. OTs can still receive
communication from TVARRIS in order to accept work. However, to the extent reasonably possible, other work-related communications via any medium should only be sent, received, and checked during an employee’s established working hours. There will be no consequence or penalty for those who do not respond to after-hours communication, subject to the requirements related to emergency communications.
“After Hours” generally means holiday breaks and from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and from Friday 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
- Please use a personal email address when contacting the Local so that we may respond.
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Your TVOT Office will be closed from Friday, December 19/25 until school resumes on Monday, January 5/26.
In an emergency situation, TVOT members should contact ETFO Provincial at 1-888-838-3836.
Daily Occasional Teachers are not paid when schools are closed as there are no Teacher absences to fill.
LTOs and Snow Days: Just a reminder to those in long-term assignments that if necessary, they can access an "Act of Nature" day if it is unsafe to drive -
Article L9.04(b)Act of Nature – A Long-Term Occasional Teacher who is unavoidably absent due to a local act of nature over which no one has control may be granted up to three (3) school days leave per school year with no deduction of sick leave. A Teacher may apply in writing to the Superintendent of Human Resources or designate for an increase in the maximum allowable days under this section. It is understood and agreed that a “local act of nature” is an act of nature that occurs within the geographic area between the Teacher’s home address and the school or worksite of said Teacher.
It is understood as agreed to under the Central Letter of Agreement #7 that the combined maximum number of days for care days and act of nature days is five (5) days per school year. The days shall not be used for the purpose of sick leave nor shall they be accumulated from year to year.
Please also note -
Article L10.01INCLEMENT WEATHER - A Long-Term Occasional Teacher or a Short-Term Occasional Teacher who is delayed by local weather and/or road conditions but arrives at school as soon as possible during the regular school hours of that day will not have a salary deduction made. It is the Occasional Teacher’s responsibility to notify the Principal, Supervisor or designate of the situation as soon as possible. “Local” means within the geographic area between the Occasional Teacher’s home address and the school or worksite of said Occasional Teacher.
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To remain on the elementary OT List at TVDSB, members must teach 10 full days (not 10 assignments). Members who are not going to meet this requirement, have two options for taking a leave from the OT List:
1) A full year leave from the list - TVOT members only have until December 30th to request a full year leave of absence for the current school year. To apply go to Laserfiche (left hand side in the TVDSB Employee Portal). This is a leave under Article L10.16 and the supervisor for this purpose is Roxanne Jones at roxanne.jones@tvdsb.ca
2) A partial year leave of absence where the number of days needed to remain on the list are pro-rated. There is no deadline for this leave. To apply go to Laserfiche (left hand side in the TVDSB Employee Portal). This is a leave under Article L10.17 and the supervisor for this purpose is Roxanne Jones at roxanne.jones@tvdsb.ca
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TVOT members in a LTO assignment at the beginning of January, will automatically have their Ontario College of Teachers' (OCT) fees deducted from that pay. Their paystub in the TVDSB Employee Portal will show this deduction.
The annual membership fee of $200 is due January 1 of each year for all certified Teachers though OCT will maintain your good standing so long as payment is received before April 17th. Please note that OCT charges a late payment fee of $130 on top of the $200 annual fee should a Teacher miss the April deadline.
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Columbia Sportswear has sent the following invitations to our membership to shop for brands such as Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, Sorel and prAna at 40% off retail pricing. To access the store, bring the digital invitation (or printout) along with proof of affiliation - a pay stub will suffice.
Invitees can bring up to 4 guests and the store wants you to know that they are collecting unexpired food items for the Food Bank, all of December.
For Members -
For Friends and Family -
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Winter-proofing 101: Ways to prepare your home for the cold
As
winter approaches, Canadians understand that while the beauty of snow-covered
landscapes is enchanting, it also brings the challenge of keeping our homes
safe and warm. Cold weather can present significant risks to both property and
personal safety. From freezing temperatures to heavy snowfall, it's important
to prepare your home for the upcoming season. Here's a handy checklist of cold
weather safety tips to ensure you're ready for the winter months.
For the
month of December, receive a $30 gift card when you get a car,
home, or leisure insurance quote. Get a quote or call
1-888-892-4935 and mention this offer.
Did You Know that Canada played a central role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
It was lovely to meet so many new members at our Fall General Meeting on November 26th at the Stoneridge Inn. We enjoyed a fine dinner, shared information and visited with colleagues. Thank you to those who took time to show their support for the TVOT Local - We've Got Your Back!
Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre was also very grateful for the generosity shown by those who attended -
Should an Administrator ask you to use your prep period to cover a class etc., then members are to keep track of the date, the school, the time of the scheduled prep period and the number of minutes that were lost as the Board will provide a form in June for members to receive compensation for this lost time. Remember - a right gained, is never a right secured - vigilance is key.
If you are in a LTO assignment with an undetermined end, then you need to wait 90 calendar days in order to become eligible for ETFO Employee Life and Health Trust benefits. For more information go to https://etfo-elhtbenefits.ca/faqs/
Article L35.00(iii) states: When a long-term occasional teaching assignment is completed prior to the required date for report cards to be submitted, the Occasional Teacher may be assigned to assist with the completion of these report cards. In such an event, the Occasional Teacher shall be paid for the time to complete the report cards up to a maximum of one (1) day. The rate of pay shall be the rate the Occasional Teacher received during the long-term occasional teaching assignment.
An assignment becomes a LTO on the 10th consecutive day of replacing the same absent Teacher in the same assignment.
As an LTO, you are eligible for salary that reflects your qualifications, however the onus is on you to provide the Board with a QECO / Qualifications Rating Statement or a card indicating your rating is in progress, prior to July 31st for retroactive adjustment. Note that the process can take several weeks.
To obtain a QECO Rating, follow the instructions at www.qeco.on.ca or call QECO at 1-800-385-1030 and request an application form.
Your rating is personal so it is up to you to sent the results to TVDSB Staffing Officer, Jessica Grison Roeder - j.grisonroeder@tvdsb.ca before the July deadline or forward a copy of the green QECO confirmation card if your application is in progress but will not be available by the due date.
You may also be eligible for credit for post-certification teaching outside of TVDSB. This includes working as a daily OT in Ontario. The same July 31st deadline applies to proof of any post-certification teaching experience, outside of TVDSB so be sure to submit those documents to HR so they will be considered when advancing you on the LTO salary grid.
For further details contact your ETFO TVOT Local at etfotvot@gmail.com .
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Your Mental Health & Wellness
Teaching can be a demanding profession. Your
mental health is just as important as your students’. ETFO Provincial recognizes
that psychosocial hazards, such as workload, the challenging behaviours of
students, or workplace violence can cause psychological injury. These should be
reported just like any other workplace injury.
ETFO Provincial H&S Website provides excellent resources on identifying and
addressing these hazards -
TVDSB Accident / Incident Reporting and Decision Chart -
The TELUS
Health One Employee Assistance Program offers
confidential counselling, Care Now Programs covering topics related to
relationships, work, body, mind, and personal finances, and workshops on stress
management, resilience, and self-care -
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