News & Articles

Yesterday, I had the privilege of joining a group of ETFO Thames Valley members at Queen's Park to meet with Terence Kernaghan, MPP for London North Centre, and discuss the ongoing impact of chronic underfunding on Ontario's publicly funded elementary schools.

As we move toward the end of another busy school year, we want to sincerely thank members for the tremendous care, professionalism, and dedication you continue to show each and every day in support of students, families, and colleagues. We recognize the significant work taking place in schools at this time of year, and this memo is intended to provide members with reminders regarding the upcoming Report Card Writing Day, as well as Collective Agreement language related to classroom packing and unpacking.

We are excited to launch our Red4Ed Campaign, running from April through June. This campaign is about bringing members together in a visible and meaningful way to show support for public education and the incredible work you do every day. Wearing red is a simple act, but when we do it collectively, it sends a powerful message of solidarity and pride in the incredible work we do together.

March always seems to arrive at just the right time. Spring birds are returning, the sun is shining, and the snow is melting away! Up to now, the rhythm of the school year has been demanding, and by this point everyone has been giving their energy, creativity, and patience to students, colleagues, and the entire school community for many months straight.

As we mark International Women’s Day, we take a moment to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of women educators in our schools and communities. Every day, women teachers lead classrooms, support students through challenges, advocate for equity, and shape the future through public education.

All Active Members may vote online for Candidates for Federation Annual Meeting Delegates. Declaration of the Elections for these positions will be announced at the Local Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Online voting will take place from 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 until 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2026.

The Board has advised us that approximately 900 staff have received a communication regarding the updated requirements for police record checks under recent amendments to the Education Act. This message will be sent only to employees whose police record checks are due for renewal by April 30.

As a reminder, Friday, January 30 is a Report Card Writing Day, dedicated to the important work of assessment, evaluation, and reporting on student learning. Your collective agreement is very clear. Article L16.16(c) states: “For these Professional Activity Days designated for assessment, evaluation and report card writing, Teachers will have the option to work remotely.”

As we approach the winter break, on behalf of your Released Team and your Executive, I want to extend our deepest thanks to each and every one of you for the extraordinary work you continue to do in support of students, colleagues, and our Local. Your care, professionalism, and advocacy are the foundation of strong public education. The impact of your efforts is deeply felt and genuinely appreciated, every day.

Tomorrow, on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, we pause to honour the lives lost to gender-based violence and to reaffirm our commitment to building a safer, more equitable world.