Hi everyone,
Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend (and the Super Bowl) and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the new members who attended our New Member conference in Dartmouth Crossings Saturday and Sunday. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the NSTU and our local. I would also like to thank our VP of Communications, Suzanne Rholand and her committee for organizing such a great and informative conference. It was well received by all in attendance.
We continue this week to celebrate Nova Scotian African Heritage Month and I wanted to draw your attention to the below link that is the official website to the Month here in Nova Scotia; the link provides a calendar of events, poster and other beneficial information regarding the month for teachers and students alike.
Celebrate African Heritage Month 2023 | African Nova Scotian Affairs – Government of Nova Scotia
School Reps please note the Member Registry must be updated by the first week of March (March 6th) and our numbers go to supporting our various local initiatives.
NSTU Member Registry
NSTU reps should be updating the Membership Registry online and in real time. When an NSTU rep updates the site list, the changes are immediately made to the database ensuring the Union’s membership information is current and accurate.
Individual members can also update all their personal, employment assignment and contact information themselves
Membership figures are pulled from the Registry on the first Monday in December and the first Monday in March each year. NSTU representatives are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the site information within the Membership Registry. All site updates should be completed at least one week prior to each of the above-mentioned dates and may be completed any time prior to that point. Should you require additional information please contact NSTU Central Office by phoning (902)-477-5621, or toll free at (800) 565-6788 or by emailing registry@nstu.ca.
A link to the webpage and the Site Management Instructions for NSTU School Representatives is below. In addition, at the bottom of the webpage link there is a link to forms for new members at your school site, if they do not show up on your registry.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PD Committee
Deadlines are fast approaching for…
*Course Reimbursement for courses taken between September 1, 2022 and December 21, 2022 – February 16
*Full year Educational Leaves – February 15
*Cash For Classroom Applications – February 24
Please remember to use a non employer email when emailing the Local PD committee.
Inspire Awards
There are many members in our Local and across our province who are not only inspiring their students and providing incredible public education, but also inspiring their colleagues and the ripple effect is immeasurable. The INSPIRE Awards will acknowledges those members fulfilling the mandate of the NSTU in such a way as to have a positive impact on their school and colleagues. This award will promote spirit, goodwill, connections, and excellence in education. It will also give voice and recognition to our members. Please see your school rep for more details and how to nominate a County member.
Halifax County Local Bursary
Applications for the Halifax County Local Bursary will open on Monday, March 27th. The link will be found in the Check In and announcements will be made on our social media. Halifax County bursaries are given to the children/stepchildren of Halifax County Local members (not PSAANS members) who are currently (2022-23) teaching in a term or permanent position. Applicants must be graduating from High School in June 2023. This bursary must be used for enrollment in secondary education in September 2023 and cannot be deferred to another school year. The amount received by each recipient will be dependent on how many applications are received in total. The deadline for application is Friday, May 26th, 2023.
Successful applicants will be notified by email after the deadline of Friday, May 26th, 2023. Due to confidentiality, all correspondence will be between the applicant (not a parent) and the Halifax County Local Treasurer only. Applicants are responsible for keeping the confirmation notification that is received once the Google form is completed. Successful applicants will be asked to supply their Confirmation of Enrollment for a September 2023 start by September 22nd, 2023 in order to receive the funds. Failure to submit the required document by the deadline will forfeit the funds to be shared amongst the applicants who completed the requirements.
Provincial Executive Call for Nominations:
Nominations now open for 1 position a the Provincial Executive table, term: Aug 1, 2023 – July 31, 2025
Deadline for application: Feb 24, 2023
Election Date: April 19, 2023
Link to more information:
https://nstu.ca/the-nstu/structure/provincial-executive/regional-elections
Link to online application form:
https://nstu.ca/the-nstu/communications/online-forms/provincial-executive-nomination-form
Questions regarding the election can be sent to lrobitaille@staff.nstu.ca
Economic Welfare
Pre-Retirement (Pension) Session #2
March 30th, 2023 @ 6 pm @ 6 pm via Zoom Platform
Facilitated by a NSTU Executive Staff Officer, Paul Boudreau. This second session will differ from the first, as the main focus will be to review and discuss pension income .
Please complete the Self Registration Google Form: https://forms.gle/7mTXfqPiZjQvMceKA OR contact Andrea Heans: acheans@nstu.ca
Maternity/Parental/Adoption Leave (Online)
Who: Members from Halifax County, Halifax City and Dartmouth Locals are welcome to join us on Zoom.
What: Facilitated by NSTU Executive Staff Officer, Wally Fiander, this session is an opportunity to ask questions regarding maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
When/Where: March 23rd, 2023 @ 6:30 pm
How: Register by filling out the self registration Google Form: https://forms.gle/ThxuaBgHN9ZnGCPL9 OR by emailing Tara Arseneau at taraarseneau@nstu.ca and please specify the session title of the session. Once you are registered you will be contacted with the Zoom link closer to the session.
Know Your Contract Session
Who: Members from Halifax County, Halifax City and Dartmouth Locals are welcome to join us on Zoom.
What: Facilitated by NSTU Executive Staff Officer, Wally Fiander, this session is an opportunity to ask questions regarding contracts and hiring processes.
When/Where: April 20th, 2023 @ 6:30 pm
How: Register by completing the Google Form registration: OR CONTACT: Turk MacDonald @ tdmacdonald@nstu.ca https://forms.gle/w13W9ApUbQwqsQBt5 *Once you are registered you will be contacted with the Zoom link closer to the session.
It is in your Provincial/Regional Agreement
Provincial
ARTICLE 24 EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
24.01 While the parties consider it desirable that teachers participate in extracurricular activities, it is recognized by the parties bound by this Agreement that any involvement, such as participation, supervision, administration, direction, coaching, by a teacher in extracurricular activities shall be on a voluntary basis.
NSTU Benefits at a Glance
Early Intervention Program (EIP)
The Early Intervention Program (EIP) is a program for all NSTU members who are working or on paid sick leave and are experiencing illness or injury. The intent of the program is to provide encouragement, support and opportunity for active participation to facilitate early return to health and work or early application to disability benefits.
Participation in the program is voluntary and confidentiality is assured. NSTU members are encouraged to contact the EIP directly if they feel assistance is required or if they are at risk of disability.
Intervention may include telephone contact, assistance with coordinating health services (for example, physician, therapist, counsellor, chiropractor) or facilitation of a return to work plan. In the event a member is unable to return to work, he or she will be guided through the process of early application to disability benefits. Intervention services are provided by registered occupational therapists Leticia Richer and Maya Fallows.
Follow these links to download the EIP poster (English / French) and brochure (English / French).
Download the EIP’s Frequently Asked Questions.
For information on disability benefits see the Teachers Guide to Disability Benefits.
The Well Teacher
This regular column in The Teacher is part of the Early Intervention Program’s contribution to the health and well-being of NSTU Members.
Click here to view a list of article titles.
Home Office Ergonomics
Here are a few tips from The Well Teacher, April 2020, Volume 58.
Be Well Newsletter
Please check out the Be Well a newsletter created by the staff at the NSTU’s Early Intervention Program for Teachers. This newsletter was issued 5 times per year and focused on wellness related topics relevant to NSTU members. It was jam packed with information, tips and tools to make life, work and play easier and more balanced.
Click here to view past issues.
Enjoy and Be Well!
Contact
If you or anyone you know has questions about the Program, please contact the Early Intervention Program.
Tel: (902) 477-5621, Toll Free: 1-800-565-6788
Fax: (902) 477-3517
email: eip@nstu.ca
Take care,
Shawn Hanifen
Local President