Message from the President and Vice-President
Happy New Year, everyone! Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to all Boards of Education and Cultural Institutions members for your hard work and dedication providing vital services that support education for students. We’ve been living and working through this pandemic for almost 2 years now, constantly pivoting with each new wave and change to public health guidelines. It hasn’t been easy working through the constraints this pandemic brings in our schools, but you consistently show your professionalism, strength and resilience by quickly adapting to these changes and taking every measure necessary to keep students safe. We are extremely proud to represent you and to stand in solidarity with you in our great union. In solidarity, Warren (Smokey) Thomas President, OPSEU/SEFPO Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida First Vice-President/Treasurer, OPSEU/SEFPOMessage from your Chair
Happy New Year! We had another year of challenges and growth in Sector 3 for 2021 and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together. The Division Executive team worked hard to raise awareness to our sector’s issues and keep our workplaces safe. We made a lot of progress last year, and I’m confident about what we can achieve together for 2022. Members’ health and safety continues to be our top priority. This year, we will keep pushing for robust testing and tracing systems, adequate PPE supplies, improved ventilation, smaller class sizes, increased staffing and more to ensure that all Sector 3 members can work safely. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Broader Public Service Conference last October, during which our executive team elections were held. We experienced a few technical hiccups during our virtual meeting but we really appreciated your patience and your contribution to making the event a success. Congratulations to the newly elected members of the executive for the 2021-2023 term! We look forward to another year ahead of strengthening the voices of all Sector 3 members. In Solidarity, Sandra Cadeau Chair, OPSEU/SEFPO Sector 3 Boards of EducationCentral Agreement Highlights
With the central agreement for education workers set to expire on August 31, 2022, the Division Executive has begun preparing for the School Board Bargaining Conference (SBBC) that will take place in the spring. Please stay tuned for more details, as they are confirmed.Sector 3 Division Executive
Chair: Sandra Cadeau Vice Chair: Bonnie Eddy Treasurer: Donna Caissie Secretary: Susan Richarz Member at Large: Lise Orsini Trustee: Paul Ayers Trustee: Paulina Mederios Alternate Trustee: Natacha Verdiel Alternate Trustee: April Bello Alternate: Bernadette King Alternate: Kris PintoCampaign Highlights
Thanks to dedicated members like you, OPSEU/SEFPO’s pink t-shirts and Red4Ed hoodie campaigns has been an overwhelming success this year, and that’s inspiring! Special thanks to OPSEU/SEFPO staff for their ongoing dedication and hard work on behalf of our sector’s members.Wear Red Every Tuesday!
Beginning Tuesday, January 18, 2022 we are asking members to wear their Red4Ed hoodies, or anything red, in solidarity with Education Workers. Going forward we encourage members to wear red every Tuesday. We also encourage you to take photos (individual or group) and share them on your social media accounts with the following hashtags:#OPSEU/SEFPOBeeAppreciated
#OPSEU/SEFPOBeeHeard
#OPSEU/SEFPOEducationStrong
Be sure to tag us! Facebook: @OPSEUSector3 @OPSEU @SEFPO Twitter: @OPSEU @SEFPO Intagram @opseusefpo OPSEU Boards of Education and Cultural Institutions Sector 3 https://www.facebook.com/OPSEUSector3
Shanker’s Self-Reg Recognize Stressors
- Stressors can be different day to day (or from one minute to the next)
- The effects of more stressors don’t simply “add up”… they “multiply”
- When our energy is depleted stress becomes unmanageable more quickly
- A “perceived” threat is just as much a stressor as a “real” threat
- Sometimes even more so because others ignore the stressor or belittle it
- Stressors can be hidden or overt
- Stressors differ from person to person
- Remember: good stress uses energy too
- When there is troubling behaviour ask: Why? Why now?
- Each of the five domains influences the others. The five domains are:
- Biological: Noises, crowds, too much stimulation, not enough exercise
- Emotional: Strong emotions, both positive (over- excited) and negative (anger, fear)
- Cognitive: Difficulty processing different kinds of information
- Social: Difficulty picking up on social cues, or understanding the effect of behaviour on others
- Pro-social: Difficulty coping with other peoples’ stress
What can I do about my stress?
www.self-reg.ca- Deep breathing
- Snuggle with a pet
- Play a sport
- Talk to a friend
- Listen to music
- Write
- Draw
- Watch a funny video
- Stay on top of schoolwork/ chores
- Talk to a trusted adult
- Go for a walk
- Do mindful breathing
- Practice Yoga
- Check in with yourself. Have you been drinking water? Eating fruit? veggies?
Work Plan 2021-2023
The Sector 3 Division Executive has outlined four key goals, as part of its Education Work Plan for the 2021-2023 term. They are as follows:Goal #1: Communication.
- Objective: Increase member engagement
- Undertakings:
- Continue to publish quarterly newsletter with updates
- Continue to build social media presence through Facebook and Sector Website: https://opseu.org/sector/boards-of-education-and-cultural-institutions/
- Email local Presidents/Highest Ranking for feedback on issues/concerns
- Monthly triage meeting with OPSEU/SEFPO staff and highest ranking officers
- Update the sector’s index page, and include bios for executive team members
- Continue to engage and network with Cultural Institutions members
Goal #2: Organizing and Education
- Objective: Support members, and prospective members, in their professional lives
- Undertakings:
- Provide Mental Health First-Aid Training, Steward Training, and Political Action Training
- Produce a package of helpful information for Locals including: important contacts, an overview of the Broader Public Sector (BPS), health and safety protocols and rights as an education worker
Goal #3: Campaigns
- Objective: Raise awareness and engage with members and the public in preparation for central bargaining
- Undertakings:
- Continue with Red4Ed campaign, including Solidarity Days with members wearing their red hoodies each Tuesday, starting on January 18, 2022
- Distribute second order of anti-bullying t-shirts
- Promote the “day in the life of an education worker” campaign with hashtags #OPSEU/SEFPOBeeAppreciated #OPSEU/SEFPOBeeHeard #OPSEU/ SEFPOEducationStrong
Goal #4: Bargaining
- Objective: Negotiate a fair Collective Agreement
- Undertakings:
- With the expiry of the Collective Agreement on August 31, 2022 we will distribute a Demand Set Survey through Survey Monkey
- Host School Board Bargaining Conference (SBBC) with elections for two delegates for the Ontario Council of Educational Workers (OCEW)
- Continue to develop strong working relationships with other education affiliates