Hi everyone,
Just a brief Check-In this week with a reminder that the next Member Registry update is coming up (see below) this week, please make sure to update your school site’s Registry. School Reps please note the Member Registry must be updated by the first week of March (March 8th) and our numbers go to supporting our various local initiatives.
The local meeting next week Wednesday, March 6th at 6pm (5:30pm supper) where we will have speeches from our two local presidential candidates, Duncan Cameron and Desiree Daniele, and a short Q&A period. The moderator will be our VP of Nominations, Jason Jennings. This will be a valuable opportunity to hear the vision of these two candidates and ask pertinent questions.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bursary News
Applications for the Halifax County Local Bursary will open on Monday, March 18th, 2024. 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 (2023-2024) teaching in a term or permanent position. Applicants must be graduating from High School in June 2024. This bursary must be used for enrolment in secondary education in September 2024 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 24th, 2024.
Successful applicants will be notified by email after the deadline. 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 2024 start by September 27th, 2024 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.
Nominations
The Nominations Committee has opened nominations for this year’s INSPIRE Awards. The link to the Google Form is:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqhyCB1Uj11Y8NFVIZjHPuQeTMFZKlJSFh6nQm6XAf1Y6z5g/viewform
Concept
Many members in our Local are not only inspiring their students and providing incredible public education but also inspiring their colleagues and the ripple effect is immeasurable.
Rationale
The INSPIRE Awards will acknowledge those members fulfilling the mandate of the NSTU in such a way as to have a positive impact on their school and colleagues. These awards will promote spirit, goodwill, connections, and excellence in education. It will also give voice and recognition to our members.
Criteria
The foundation of the awards stems from the NSTU Mission Statement:
“As the unified voice for the advocacy and support of all its members, the NSTU promotes and advances the teaching profession and quality public education.”
The awards would be granted on the basis of teachers who exemplify the mission of our Union through: Educational Leadership, Mentorship, Community, Passion and Excellence in Teaching.
Two types of INSPIRE Awards are given:
- The Preman Edwards Award, given to a Local representative or alternate (2 recipients)
- The Susan Noiles Award, given to a general Local member (3 recipients)
Nominations deadline is Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 4 pm. Nominations must be made by current NSTU members from Halifax County Local. NOTE: members may make several nominations to one or both INSPIRE Awards.
Jason Jennings
Vice-President: Nominating
Halifax County Local NSTU
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.
It is in your Provincial/Regional Agreement
Provincial
ARTICLE 58 LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE
58.01 The Employer shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the monthly premium of the NSTU Long Term Disability Insurance for all teachers holding such a policy.
58.02 Notwithstanding 58.01, the Employer shall pay seventy percent (70%) of the monthly premium of the NSTU Long Term Disability Insurance for each teacher for whom the Employer is currently paying seventy percent (70%) of the premiums at the time of the coming into effect of this Collective Agreement.
58.03 The Teacher is responsible for obtaining the policies.
58.04 All clerical work is the responsibility of the NSTU Insurance Administration.
58.05 The Trustees appointed by the Employer with respect to the Dental Policy, Total Care Policy and Life and AD&D Policy shall be deemed to be Trustees with respect to the NSTU Long Term Disability Insurance for teachers, with all the usual and customary rights and powers of a Trustee, and any necessary amendments to the Trust Deed, the Master Agreement, Master Agreement (Supplementary) Agreement, or any other amending documents shall be made to effect this within ninety (90) days of the coming into effect of this agreement.
NSTU Benefits at a Glance
Counselling Services
Counselling Services works to strengthen and support the quality of personal and professional life for NSTU members, their partners and dependents throughout all school districts and community college campuses.
Counselling Services provides short-term assistance. Those requiring longer-term intervention are, after an initial assessment, assisted by referral to an appropriate community-based professional.
Workshops for school/campus staffs are offered, as requested, on issues such as wellness, managing workplace stress, balancing home and career, conflict management and transition into retirement.
Crisis intervention for staff members to address trauma and grief situations is available on request.
All counselling requires the consent and participation of the client regardless of the referring circumstances.
All information given to Counselling Services will be confidential.
Any release of information requires the signed consent of all parties involved who are over the age of 12. Exceptions to this apply if subpoenaed by the court or required under legislation.
Therapists with Counselling Services are highly qualified, registered with their professional organizations and recognized for their excellence as clinical therapists and workshops leaders.
Counselling sessions are made by appointment only. Appointments are available at a mutually acceptable time and place throughout all regions of the province. To arrange an appointment, please call Counselling Services between 8:30 am and 4:30 p.m. at the NSTU Central Office, 1-902-477-5621, or 1-800-565-6788 (toll free). NSTU provides these services to members at no additional charge.
Click here to download the Counselling Services brochure
Contact
Phone: (902) 477-5621
Toll Free: 1 (800) 565-6788
email: counselling@nstu.ca
Have a great week,
Shawn Hanifen
Local President