Local Update - KPR ETFO Teachers' Local

President's Message
Kawartha Pine Ridge
Elementary Teachers' Local
Update: Sept. 29, 2010
To start off by stating the obvious…a new school year is upon us. I hope that
you were able to take time for yourself to enjoy friends and family over the
summer in order to recharge and relax. It is clear to me at the time of writing
this message that there will be little time for any of us to relax over the next
few months.
There are many issues facing elementary teachers this fall and all of them are
made more difficult because of the workload issue. Some of the changes, like
those in Growing Success, may provide a slight reduction in workload, but
there is still the pressure of learning about something new while balancing a
million other expectations. We have also been hearing about issues, again, with the Special
Education model which have created inconsistencies from school to school and additional
workload issues.
Darline and I have been in regular contact with the Board since last spring about the launch of
Growing Success. We have had lengthy discussions with Teaching and Learning and with
representatives from the Board’s IT department. A number of issues have been addressed in
advance of the launch, but I have no doubt there will be some glitches that were impossible to
address or not anticipated. It appears at this time that there may be more issues to solve around
the content of the progress report or the two final report cards then any technical problems.
Regarding content, the Board’s reference guide for Elementary Reporting attempts to clarify
expectations for each round of reporting. This will hopefully address the issue of consistent
expectations since every school and every teacher will have the same set of guidelines. The
one issue that came out of this document was the expectation around reporting on math strands
on the February and June report cards. The initial template states that all five strands must be
done each term yet the Ministry expectation is four out of five each report. We pointed out
that with the current workload for teachers, this is not the time to be asking for more than what
the Ministry requires and we have an agreement on this point with Teaching and Learning.
Teachers will be expected to report on four out of five math strands, as per Ministry
expectations, on each of the two report cards.
Continued on page 2
KPR ETFO Teachers' Local Update September, 2010 Page 1

President's Message (continued)
This year we will no longer have the December PA Day for interviews. Unfortunately, this
essentially offsets the PA Day we gained this year for writing report cards. The Board has
complete authority over the scheduling of at least two of the remaining PA Days and over the
content for those days. Obviously, ETFO asked that a day be left for interviews in recognition
of the time it takes to meet with parents. The Board elected not to grant this day, so this
necessitated ETFO clarifying our position on interviews given that any such face to face
meetings will take place on the teacher’s personal time.
It is ETFO’s position that interviews are not mandatory. The Education Act makes it clear that
it is the duty of the teacher to communicate student progress to parents. Past practice has been
to arrange an interview with each parent, or at least offer the opportunity to meet, in late
November and early December. It was also past practice to have a PA Day to meet with
parents or complete work in your room if you had met with parents prior to the PA Day on
your own time. A face to face conversation is arguably the best way to establish a working
relationship with parents and to better understand how to work with the student in a
partnership.
The Board’s expectation is that each parent be afforded an opportunity between mid-October
and mid-December to meet with their child’s classroom teacher. These interviews can be
scheduled by the teacher at times that they wish to offer. ETFO’s position is that teachers
cannot be told when to conduct interviews (for example on one given evening) and we have a
general agreement on this point with the Board. How you communicate with parents is an
individual choice provided you can demonstrate that you are upholding your duties to
communicate student progress as defined under the Education Act. If there is a conflict
between how you are communicating with parents and your Administrator, please contact the
Local office for assistance.
The last two issues I would like to address are around Special Education. The Board has
indicated to the Federation that they do not believe that they have to backfill an absent SERT
with an Occasional Teacher. This is a violation of the Collective Agreement, but the Local
office needs to know if this is happening in schools. Simply put, an Occasional Teacher must
be called when a classroom teacher is absent for a reason under the collective agreement. This
covers virtually any absence including workshops, in-services or acting as Teacher in charge.
We would ask that the SERT and/or Steward inform the Local office if there was not an
Occasional Teacher brought in for an absent SERT or at least an attempt to fill the job through
SEMS.
The second issue involves the letter that was sent out by Principals inviting parents to contact
their child’s classroom teacher for consultation on the creation, updating or modification of an
IEP. The Ministry requires the school to offer this consultation to each parent and the Board is
Continued on page 3
KPR ETFO Teachers' Local Update September, 2010 Page 2

President's Message (continued)
attempting to formalize the process through this letter. The Ed Act also allows the Principal to
designate a teacher to be the primary contact (though they could designate someone else, or
themselves) and the Board has clearly chosen the classroom teacher as this person. ETFO has
stated to the Board that expecting a classroom teacher to conduct consultations with parents
around the IEP sometime in October and then conduct a progress interview with the same parent
in late October or November/December is an unreasonable expectation. It is ETFO’s position
that a direct consultation with a parent for the IEP would also be considered as the fall interview
for that family. Any further need for communication with these same parents would be at the
discretion of the classroom teacher or by request of the parent.
The issues noted above and a host of others are ongoing between ETFO and the Board. The
Local office continues to work with the Board in a respectful manner and I believe that for the
most part we are being treated in the same way. Open conflict and reactive measures tend to
make headlines, but I can assure you that tangible gains are being made through a collaborative
approach as well. As Local President, I promise you that I will not shy away from a fight, but I
will also be open to working together with the Board for the benefit of teachers. There is
courage required in either approach.
I sincerely wish you the best this year at your worksite. Please do not hesitate to contact us at
the Local office and be sure to visit our website at www.kpretfo.ca for regular updates on Local
happenings as well as a wealth of other information.
Sincerely,
Dave
Education Improvement Plan
What is new with EIP? The new EIP form is on the ETFO Local website for members to
access. Everything you need to know about filling out the form and qualifying for EIP is there
on the form ( http://www.kpretfo.ca/forms/EIP_Application-10-11.pdf )
All forms are to be forwarded to the EIP Committee Chair, Christy Thompson at
Northumberland Hills Public School and all receipts and forms will need to be returned to the
treasurer, Nancy Forrest at Terry Fox Public School.
Please note that there are some changes to the criteria for EIP applications, including the fact
that a maximum of 6 members of a staff, regardless of division, are now able to apply for an
event. Do remember to complete the portion of the form that includes occasional teacher
information when returning your receipts and form to Nancy.
If you have questions regarding EIP, do not hesitate to call the Local office.
KPR ETFO Teachers' Local Update September, 2010 Page 3

Your Local KPR ETFO 2010-2011 2010 2011 Executive
The following released officers will be returning for the second year of a two year term:
David Wing: President; Local office
Darline Pomeroy: 1 st Vice-President; Local office
The following table officers will be returning this year for the second year of a two year term:
Vice-President Open: Jean Anne Symak; Newcastle Public School
Vice-President Women’s Only: Sharon Woischwill; John M. James Public School
Secretary: Christy Thompson; Northumberland Hills Public School
Treasurer: Jeremy Fowlie; Terry Fox Public School
The following are Regional representatives who will be serving for a one year term:
Bill Betz; Steward at Keith Wightman
Chris Entwistle; Co-Steward at Prince of Wales
Nancy Forrest; Co-Steward at Terry Fox
David Genge: Steward at Hastings
Sean Hazeldine; Steward at Kenner Intermediate
Claire Hudson-McLean; Co-Steward at Ontario Street
Susan J. King; Steward at Burnham
Linda Spoestra; Co-Steward at John M. James
Cara White; Co-Steward at The Pines
The Steward serving in each school completes the leadership team serving the members of
Kawartha Pine Ridge Elementary Teachers’ Federation Local.
Municipal Elections
The municipal elections will take place on October 25 th . Of particular interest to teachers is the
race for a trustee position on the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School
Board. Our Political
Action Committee will be distributing a brochure which outlines questions
that could be asked of a trustee candidate in order to understand how they
would support teachers if elected. This is an important decision as all of the
major decisions in the Board must be approved, or defeated, by those
elected to the position of Trustee.
Make sure you vote on October 25 th !
KPR ETFO Teachers' Local Update September, 2010 Page 4

Health and Safety
A school year means new beginnings. In health and safety it often means a new issue has
appeared in the media. This fall is no exception. Last year it was pandemic planning for the
H1N1 virus - this year it is WiFi in schools.
The board’s Instructional Technologies Program plans for
the installation of WiFi in schools. At this point in time
there is no WiFi in our schools. The IT department is well
aware of the concerns being expressed by people through
the various news outlets. They have been consulting with
other school boards who are further down the path on
installing this technology and have also been looking at the
recommendations from organizations such as Health
Canada and the World Health Organization. At the regular
board meeting on September 30 th , there will be two speakers
making presentations to the board on the topic of WiFi
in schools. Board meetings are open to all should you wish
to attend.
While the jury is still out in some peoples’ opinions as to the safety of the electromagnetic
radiation that is broadcast from WiFi nodes, you would be hard pressed to find somewhere in
most populated areas that is free from EM radiation via satellite dishes, cell phone towers, home
and business WiFi networks. This does not mean of course that the technology is safe. It also
doesn’t mean that it’s dangerous either. Please be assured that concerns have
been expressed to the board through the Joint Health and Safety Committee
and that we will
continue to question the board on this issue as the year progresses.
In other news, training dates have been set for those new to the School Site
Inspection Committees (aka your school Health and Safety Committee) and
for those who have not had training within the last 3 years. Training will take
place on October 19, 22, 25 and November 3. Contact Mary Jane Smith at the
board office to express your wish to attend one of these
sessions.
Any questions or inquiries regarding health and safety issues can be made by contacting me
through FirstClass or by phone at 705-927-2402.
Mike Jessop
ETFO Representative and Certified Member
Joint Health and Safety Committee
KPR ETFO Teachers' Local Update September, 2010 Page 5

Benevolent Fund
Stewards have been asked to circulate the benevolent fund agreement to each KPR ETFO
colleague at their school or worksite. Members of the fund are entitled to name a beneficiary
who would receive an amount of money that equals $30.00 x the number of members in the
fund. The cheque is written as soon as possible by the Local on behalf of fund members and the
beneficiary has an immediate influx of money to help with expenses as a result of a death.
Subsequently, each fund member is asked to send a cheque for $30.00 to the Local office if a
member passes away while a member of the fund and a member of KPR ETFO.
If you have not seen the agreement or you are on leave, you can print off your own agreement by
clicking on the “Forms” link on our website at www.kpretfo.ca .
Participating members must sign and submit the form by September 30 th . Anyone newly hired
after September 30 th may enter the plan at that time.
ETFO Provincial Presents:
Women In Action Conference
Sponsored by the Hastings Prince Edward Teachers’ Local Status Committee and the OT
Local Status Committee
To be held at the Isaiah Tubbs Resort, Picton; November 26-28, 2010
No cost to participants
Contacts: Teachers’ Local: asilver@HPEDSB.on.ca OT Local: istock@cogeco.ca
Kawartha Pine Ridge Elementary Teachers’ Local
Priorities for the 2010-2011 2010 2011 ETFO year
1. Engaging Members
2. Member protection and support
3. Promoting equity and social justice issues
4. Promoting publicly funded education
5. Enhancing the status and profile of elementary teachers and education workers
KPR ETFO Teachers' Local Update September, 2010 Page 6

Local Committees
Much of the work of ETFO is carried out through a system of committees, both locally and
provincially. The priorities established by the Local annually are instrumental in guiding the
work of the committees as they plan for each year’s events and initiatives.
Involvement in their Local is both the right and the responsibility of all members. Participating
on a committee is one way of getting involved and making a significant contribution to your
Local. Being a member of a committee provides many benefits, plus it can be fun and usually
includes at least one great dinner and regular snacks! If additional travel expenses are involved,
mileage will be paid.
Listed below are the ETFO Local committees and their chairs. Please contact the committee
chair if you are interested in participating. All chairs are available through First Class addresses.
Awards Committee: Cara White and Claire Hudson-McLean
Collective Bargaining Committee: David Wing; (committee to be elected at next AGM)
Health and Safety Committee: Michael Jessop
Political Action Committee: Jean Anne Symak
Equity Committee: Darline Pomeroy
Professional Learning Committee: Darline Pomeroy
Social Committee: David Wing
Status of Women Committee: Sharon Woischwill
Elections Committee: William Betz
New Administrative Assistant
We welcome Nicole McKay who joins our office team as a new Administrative Assistant.
Niki will be working part time, usually mornings from Tuesday to Friday.
2010 -
President--------------------- Dave Wing
1st Vice-President--------- Darline Pomeroy
Vice-President (Open)---- Jean-Anne Symak
(Newcastle)
Vice-President (Female)- Sharon Woischwill
(John M James)
Treasurer-------------------- Jeremy Fowlie
(Terry Fox)
Secretary-------------------- Christy Thompson
(Northumberland Hills)
2011 EXECUTIVE
KPR ETFO
Executive Members
Bill Betz (Keith Wightman)
Chris Entwistle (Prince of Wales)
Nancy Forrest (Terry Fox)
David Genge (Hastings)
Sean Hazeldine (Kenner Intermediate)
Claire Hudson-McLean (Ontario Street)
Susan King (Burnham)
Linda Spoelstra (John M James)
Cara White (The Pines)