Happy Holidays!

Wishing you a happy and well-deserved holiday break. We hope you’re able to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends.

The Local office is closed for the holiday season and will re-open at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 5, 2025.  Email will be checked daily and every effort will be made to return critical calls within 24 hours.  Non-critical inquiries will be responded to after the holiday.

Best wishes from your AOTL leadership team for a healthy and happy New Year!

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ETFO calls for quality professional learning, time to support revised Kindergarten curriculum

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) is urging the Ministry of Education to provide educators with high-quality, comprehensive, job-embedded professional learning and sufficient time before rolling out the newly revised Kindergarten curriculum in fall 2026. The new document contains several significant changes.

“Without meaningful training and dedicated implementation supports, educators will be left scrambling to learn the new curriculum, undermining student learning outcomes,” says ETFO President David Mastin. “ETFO members are well-equipped to deliver instruction and assess skills, but they need professional learning to guide their lesson planning and instructional practices. They deserve more than a webinar and set of slides, and they must not be expected to complete this training on their own time.” 

Read more: ETFO calls for quality professional learning, time to support revised Kindergarten curriculum
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Pregnancy & Parental Leave Workshop

Friday, January 19
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Zoom

Thinking about starting or growing your family? Join us for an information session designed to support members who are pregnant or planning a parental leave. We’ll cover your rights under the collective agreement, EI and top-up information, timelines, and common questions.

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Holiday Payroll Timelines

Timesheets for the date range Dec 11 – 24 should be submitted to the Payroll Office by NOON on Friday, December 19. Those who submit timesheets late will receive their pay on January 21.

ADSB will automatically submit a Record of Employment on your behalf to Service Canada on January 8, 2026. It is not necessary to contact Payroll to request a ROE.

If you have any questions, please email ac.no1767018847.bsda1767018847@llor1767018847yap1767018847 or call 705-945-7111. The payroll office is closed Dec 22 – Jan 1.

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Don’t forget your QECO updates!

Members are reminded to ensure your QECO Statement of Evaluation is updated. This is essential for salary grid placement for both permanent and LTO positions.

You can apply for upgrading advice or re-evaluation annually, including if qualifications were earned outside Ontario. Please see QECO’s website for applications and contact information.

For new employees, you have 60 calendar days from your date of hire to provide your QECO documentation (or proof of application) to HR. If you provide proof of application, submit your QECO statement to HR within 14 days of receiving it.

For existing employees, if you’re seeking a category upgrade because of a completed course, you must submit a new QECO evaluation statement (or proof of application) to ADSB before October 31. If you provide proof of application, submit your upgraded QECO statement to HR within 14 days of receiving it.

If the above timelines are met, you will receive retroactive salary adjustment to the beginning of your assignment. However, if the above timelines are not met, salary adjustments will take effect in the month following HR’s receipt of your QECO documentation.

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Call for participants: Perinatal mental health working group

ETFO is seeking members who have lived experience with a diagnosed perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder to participate in a virtual working group and share your stories on February 9 and March 2.

Your insights will help ETFO develop a resource to educate and support members as they navigate balancing perinatal mental health issues and returning to work following a pregnancy or parental leave.

Deadline to apply is Jan. 9, 2026.

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Volunteer to be a poll clerk at Annual Meeting

Support ETFO’s democratic process by volunteering at Annual Meeting, which will take place at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel on August 10-13, 2026.

The deadline to apply is March 1. Expenses are paid per provincial guidelines.

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Trivia Night

Thursday, January 29
The Moose Lodge 543 Trunk Rd., SSM
6:00p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Join us for a fun, fast-paced evening of trivia, prizes, and friendly competition! Whether you know a little about everything or everything about a little, this is your chance to show off your smarts and unwind with colleagues. Bring a team or join one when you arrive — everyone’s welcome.

Expect laughs, light snacks, and a great night out with fellow educators. Tickets are $15 pp. Register today and get ready to battle for bragging rights!

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Snow Days and Inclement Weather

What do I do on days when buses are cancelled?

If safety allows, make a reasonable effort to report to work.

If you are unable to report to work because of weather, notify the principal as soon as possible. Make reasonable efforts to report to work if it becomes safe to do so. LTOs may have alternate sites — check with your admin.

You won’t lose pay or sick leave if inclement weather prevents you from reporting to work. Your safety comes first — period.

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