Report from Halifax Regional Representative Council June 2013

Transcription

1 Report from Halifax Regional Representative Council June 2013 Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate the person who has Standing: Mark Savoury, Ernestine Oakley, Chris Doiron, Kathy Kerr, Shawn Hanifan, Grant Frost, Paul Boudreau, Mark MacPhee, Angela Gillis, Marie Halley Seated: learned to read. You cannot Turk MacDonald, Kyle Marryatt, Meg Ferguson, Keri Butler, Crystal Isert Not pictured: Paul Betuik, Ellen Louth, Janine Kerr humiliate the person who feels pride. The Halifax Region continues to strive to work together to support and represent the NSTU Members of our Board to the best of our collective ability. You cannot oppress We are seeking new and more efficient ways of informing and empowering our members through the 3 Locals. The three Presidents confer regularly to ensure the same messages are sent to all members. not afraid anymore. When possible, events may be organized by one Local, but meant to include all 3. This is often channelled through HRRC. Strange practices for Professional Development, PLCs, unit planning and more seem to be occurring, adding to teachers non-teaching related duties. the people who are We have seen the future, and the future is ours. ~ Cesar Chavez Attached is what is happening regionally. Respectfully submitted, Kyle Marryatt, Keri Butler & Meg Ferguson (Chair) Labour Day Rally Although not an HRRC event thought this a good opportunity to recruit more people for next year! Labour Day 2012: Members from Dartmouth Halifax City Halifax County Halifax Regional Representative Council

2 New Member Committee The New Member Committee is comprised of one member from each Local: Al Sinclair (Chair) Dartmouth Carmel Rooney Halifax City Robyn Brown Halifax County New Member Conference Delegates & New Member Committee In Spring 2012, HRRC decided to budget for a conference aimed at educating new members in the style the NSTU did over a decade ago. Hopes were to inform and empower members as well as hook new leaders into the NSTU. Conference Planners: Angela Gillis, Chris Doiron & Meg Ferguson Saturday September 29 Welcome & Warm up activity Keynote address: Krista LeBlanc, Prince Andrew High Negotiated Benefits: Insurance Information Susan Noiles, NSTU Insurance Trustee Amazing Race: Who s Who & What They Do in the NSTU Angela Gillis Show Me The Money! PD Grants & Burseries Available Kyle Marryatt Contracts 101 Keri Butler Social Media responsibility Grant MacLean Quick meeting with your Local President Kyle, Keri & Meg Leaders in Education Panel Discussion: How to Make a Difference in Public Education Sabine Fels, Arts Express Coordinator J.L. Ilsley High School Grant MacLean, NSTU Staff Officer, Former President Dartmouth Local Susan Noiles, Guidance Counsellor Lockview High, Insurance Trustee Meet the leaders & Cocktails Working With Others: A Colourful Approach Meg Ferguson Social at the Frigate (below the Pogue Fado) Sunday September 30 Warm up activity Tool Kit Meg Ferguson Top 10 Tips for New Teachers Gérard Cormier 1 st Annual New Permanent Contract Social On Thursday May 28, the New Member Committee hosted a Social event for teachers who received their permanent contract this school year. 74 members were mailed invitations then sent a followup people were in attendance. Appetizers and beverages were served, a quick tour given of the Dr Tom Parker building, a welcome from the Chair of the Committee as well as words from the Chair of HRRC. The event was well-received. The goal was to have members become more familiar with the NSTU and the people involved in order to empower them in the future and let them know that the membership is what drives our Union. Page 2 Halifax Regional Representative Council

3 Substitute Teacher Committee The Substitute Teacher Committee is comprised of one member from each Local: Shawn Fourgnaud (Chair) Halifax County Laura Ross Dartmouth Joseph Sholtes Halifax City Communication The committee started their mandate by working on communication. Compiled a list of substitute teacher names and addresses through Local Representatives offering a $50 gift card as a drawn prize for those who forward names to the committee. o Mark Blades from Sackville Heights Junior High won the prize A Facebook Page was created for another link to substitute teachers Substitute Teacher Session The committee held a session for substitute teachers with NSTU Staff Officer Janine Kerr at the Dr Tom Parker Building around rights and obligations of substitute teachers as well as the path to a permanent contract on May 30, The session was advertised with a poster, bookmarks for secretaries to hand out the last few weeks before the event as well as the FaceBook page and list. Pictured below at the session are Janine Kerr (left) and Chair of the committee, Shawn Fourgnaud (right) Regional Public Affairs / Public Relations Members: Paul Betuik (Chair) Halifax City Marie Halley Dartmouth Phil Goora Halifax County Events: Meet & Greet with newly elected School Board Members at the Burnside Ramada November 22. The Chair of the School Board and the Chair of HRRC each said a few words, describing both groups interest in improving Public Education. There has been conversation around meeting together again, perhaps in a round table format. Attempted to submit entry into Parade of Lights Nov 17 Not enough interest probably those who go have children and want to watch it, not be in it

4 Regional Economic Welfare Members: Grant Frost (Chair) First Vice President Halifax County Mark MacPhee First Vice President Halifax City Chris Doiron First Vice President Dartmouth Sessions Offered: Pre-Retirement (November 1) Maternity, Parental & Adop Leave w G MacLean Nov 22 Use Your Voice: Regional Submissions Session w J Kerr Jan 28 Maternity, Parental & Adop Leave w J MacLeod Feb 21 Pre-Retirement Seminar w A MacLean April 3 Term Contract Info w J Kerr April 18 Ins & Outs of Job Fair May 9 Regional Asking Package Submissions have been collected. Dates have been set for the Regional Asking Package Committee to meet and put package together. Our Regional Agreement expires July 31, Management/Teacher Committee The Management/Teacher Committee is comprised of the President of each Local plus an NSTU Staff Officer representing the NSTU along with 4 members from the Board. Meetings have been cordial and informative (for both sides). Some improvements have been made because of these meetings. Issues discussed this year include: Percent positions & staffing Report Card Timelines Learning Centre Teacher Responsibilities Salary List of HRSB Employees online Grade 3 Relief Supports for Teachers High School Scheduling Alternative High School Model Homebound Tutoring / Teacher Responsibility Teacher & Workplace Violence Parent Portal NSTU Members / Teacher Liaisons for teams/clubs Permanent Contract Update Lice Custodial Support Circuit Teacher Review Circuit Teacher Home School Article 24 New HS Math & Elem Language Arts AESOP on storm days Facebook & Social Media Article 60/Regional Professional Development Committee Members: Kyle Marryatt (Joint Chair) President Dartmouth Terry Ryan VP of PD Halifax County Liette Doucet - VP of PD Halifax City Ellen Louth VP of PD Dartmouth Plus 4 representatives from the School Board: Mike Christie Susan Thomie Jerry Thibeau Heather Syms From September until May: Conference Grants: 493 awarded 74 denied Course Grants: 1781 approved 118 denied In-Service Promotion: 15 awarded 5 denied Short Term Ed Leaves: 28 applied 8 awarded Full Year Ed Leaves: 11 applied 3 awarded Page 4 Halifax Regional Representative Council

5 Regional Asking Package Committee The Regional Asking Package Committee includes: Back row: Grant Frost, 1 st Vice President, Halifax County Local Chris Doiron, 1 st Vice President, Dartmouth Local Mark MacPhee, 1 st Vice President, Halifax City Local Janine Kerr, NSTU Exective Staff Officer, Member Services Front row: Meg Ferguson, President, Halifax County Local Kyle Marryatt, President, Dartmouth Local Keri Butler, President, Halifax City Local Jack MacLeod, NSTU Exective Staff Officer, Member Services Timeline for Asking Package Preparation January 15 Submissions requested for Regional Asking Package January 28 Use Your Voice Session with Janine Kerr options for submissions and how to write them NSTU Building March 8 Deadline for submissions April 17 Committee met to review submissions and to discuss issues surrounding current contract April 29 Committee met to start drafting asking package May 3 Review of current draft, fine tuning May 8 Review of final copy to present to Halifax Regional Representative Council May 13 Presentation to HRRC approval gained June 13 Date set to open negotiations with HRSB. Asking Packages will be exchanged June 13 HRRC Asking Package Presentation to members at Prince Andrew High School at 6:30 pm Fall 2013 Negotiations with HRSB Other Activities Raise-a-Reader Campaign Chronicle Herald fundraiser for literacy in Nova Scotia September 19 Hants West Welcome Back Social September 27 Chair met with HRSB CSI folks to discuss changes and expectations October 22 Black Educators Association Luncheon February 8 Letters of Congratulations sent to 74 new Permanent Contract recipients February 15 Member Engagement Focus Group February 28 HRRC Operational Procedures review & changes approved March 4 Chair met with HRSB Tie-Net person to learn about program, discuss concerns April 5 Halifax City & County Presidents attended NS Gambia Association Fundraiser April 17 Page 5 Halifax Regional Representative Council

6 Sessions for Administrators Administrators have communicated that they feel disconnected with the NSTU. There are a variety of reasons that this happens by the very nature of their job as well as other contributing factors. This year, Keri Butler organized 3 sessions specifically for teachers with administrative duties. Sessions were held at the Dr Tom Parker Building and dinner was provided. November 27: What does the NSTU Do for You with Debbie McIsaac They had an opportunity to find out exactly where their dues go and the protection provided to them by the NSTU. This helps administrators in their own work, but to provide further support to members as well. February 12: Administrator s Round Table, Q & A with Bruce Kelloway Prior to the meeting, admin submitted topics for discussion online if they wanted to, then general Q & A period afterward. April 8: Parental Harassment & CEA Focus Group with Janine Kerr & CEA Parental over-involvment is an issue in a number of our schools this was a great chance for administrators to figure out how to balance protecting their schools and teachers and meeting the needs of parents. Doing so in a professional, collegial manner can be tricky at times. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. The focus group session discussed educational leadership, great moments in careers and more. It was an interesting session that left administrators feeling supported, and invigorated with new ideas. Nelson Mandela Halifax Regional Representative Council is: Dartmouth Halifax City Halifax County Kyle Marryatt Keri Butler Meg Ferguson - Chair (Local President) (Local President) (Local President) Chris Doiron Mark MacPhee Grant Frost (First Vice President) (First Vice President) (First Vice President) Mark Savoury Angela Gillis Paul Boudreau (Provincial Executive) (Provincial Executive) (Provincial Executive) Marie Halley Shawn Hanifen Kathy Kerr (VP Public Affairs/Relations) (Provincial Executive) (Provincial Executive) Ellen Louth Paul Betuik Ernestine Oakley (VP of PD) (VP Public Affairs/Relations) (Member-at-Large Social/Wellness) Treasurer: Turk MacDonald Secretary: Crystal Isert

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8 Budget Approved for