St. JATA Strong

Welcome to 2012!

A new year brings us both new challenges and opportunities. Although it seems early, this is the time when schools begin the planning process for the next school year. Soon registration forms will go home and there will be information evenings for parents to learn all about the great schools and staff we have here in the St. James Assiniboia School Division.
It is a time we shouldn’t forget about all the long hours our colleagues, the school administrators, will be working in time tabling and organizing a new school year, while still managing the day-to-day activities of the current year.
When consulting with your administrator about your workload for next year, be sure to include a conversation regarding the scheduling of your daily prep as required by Article 18 of our Collective Agreement. This includes all school professional staff, classroom teachers, resource, guidance, reading recovery, etc.

ARTICLE 18.0: Preparation Time
"Each teacher shall be entitled to an equivalent of six (6) regular teaching periods per six (6) day cycle for preparatory work as scheduled within his or her school timetable. Preparation time shall be scheduled in blocks of not less that thirty (30) minutes and be exclusive of recess.
Part-time teachers will be provided preparation time on a pro-rated basis based upon the percentage of their teaching assignment."

Remember… when in doubt ask!

As always, should you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me by phone (888-1314) or by email (stjata@mts.net or for non confidential matters through the Firstclass mail system rdesautels@sjsd.net)

Here to serve you,
Ray Desautels
President

Please note that the most recent information will always be found
towards the top of this page.

Your Pension Information

As a registered member of Online Services, you now have access to your August 1, 2010 to July 31, 2011 annual Benefits Statement. (Note: Statements are only produced for members who had contractual service in June 2011.)
Login at TRAFF here to access this statement or if you are not yet registered, you can do so at traf.mb.ca .
If you register before December 31, 2012, your name will automatically be entered in multiple draws to win a touchscreen tablet.
If you would like to receive future Benefits Statements in French, select French as your “Language Preference” through Online Services.
Si vous désirez de recevoir l'information TRAFF en français, assurez-vous de choisir "français" dans la section "On Line Services".

Family Reunion

On January 20th, a reception was held in honor of Judy Bradley. McMaster Square was officially dedicated and renamed “Judy Bradley Square”. Ms. Bradley is a former President of STJATA, a pioneer in the development of the Business Ed. Program in St. James-Assiniboia and was the first female General Secretary of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society. There were 8 past presidents of STJATA as well as the current president at this event. To mark the occasion a photo was taken. See how many faces you can recognize.

First Row L-R Ray Desautels Current President, Judy Bradley President 1984-1985, Bev Reeves President 1983-1984
Second Row L-R Norm Gould President 2008-2011, Alison Logan President 2004-2008, Klaus Albrecht President 1991-1993, Jim Robertson 1995-2003, Wayne Copeland 1987-1989 (Missing from photo Dorothy Young President 1975-1976)

Provincial Report Cards

As you are aware, the Province has announced a move to a standard Provincial report card. While our schools are not part of the pilot program, you can have a look at the templates. The sample templates can be found on the government's website here. http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/assess/report_card.html

Council Meetings 2012-2013

At the last Council meeting, the Council voted to change the meeting times from 7:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for a trial period of 3 months beginning in September 2012. At the end of the 3-month trial period, Council will decide if the new time should be permanent or return to the previous time of 7:00 p.m..

Retirement Seminar

If you are thinking of retiring in the next few years or would like information on retirement, why not attend a pre-retirement seminar? These seminars are held throughout the year in various locations. Feel free to contact either Ray Desautels stjata@mts.net or call Glen Anderson at MTS 888-796.

Openings on StJATA Executive

There are currently 2 open positions on the STJATA executive. One position is for 'Teacher Welfare' while the second is a 'Member at Large' position. If you are interested in either of these positions or would like further information, please send an email to Ray Desautels - stjata@mts.net.

Working With Educational Assistants II

Monday and Tuesday, November 21, 22. McMaster House Auditorium (www.mbteach.org)
Participants will review the legal and professional parameters of including educational assistants in the classroom and the responsibility of supervising teachers. Participants will also have the opportunity to examine sample IEPs, class profiles, and EA profiles. Through this process and group collaboration, participants will design a set of activities that are examples of appropriate assignments for the EA to engage working either with individual students, groups, or the majority of the class. This process will foster skills in planning and decision-making resulting in the best use of EAs in the classroom for the benefit of students. This information is of key importance to principals who are responsible for supervising and managing all staff within their school.

Cooperating Teachers with U of Brandon Students

"If you have any concerns around having been asked to write any part of an evaluation for a Brandon University student teacher, please contact the Manitoba Teachers' Society (Kirsten Andersson) if you are considering refusing to comply with any such request."
Paul Olson MTS President

A Message from MTS

Dear colleagues, On Monday November 14th, Viewpoints Research will begin telephoning members for the MTS annual member poll . These calls will be made to members’ homes. Call display will show “Manitoba Teachers’ Society” This is a legitimate poll from MTS and we encourage you to answer the questions. The poll is completely anonymous. MTS uses the information it gathers to plan programs and services to members

Flu Shots

The Winnipeg Health Region’s free flu clinics are now closed, but it’s not too late to get your flu shot!
Contact your regular health care provider or call your local community health office. For the phone number to your local community health office, please call 956-SHOT or call Health Links-Info Santé at 788-8200

Life Insurance Coverage Opportunity

The Manitoba Public School Employees Group Life Insurance Plan is offering an opportunity to increase your life insurance without medical evidence of insurability. This opportunity is only available for the month of November 2011. More information is available here .

TRAFF Parental Leave Purchase Opportunity

Recent changes to the Teachers’ Pension Act allow plan members to purchase pensionable service for Parental Leaves. The leaves must be Parental Leaves and the member must purchase the whole leave. Parental leaves commencing after June 16th 2011 can be purchased at the contributions required for the first 17 weeks of the leave. The rest of the leave must be purchased at double the contributions required for the balance of the leave. All these leaves must be purchased by 18 months from the commencement of the leave. Active members can purchase Parental Leaves that occurred prior to June 16th 2011 at their present contribution required for the first 17 weeks and double the contributions required for the balance of the leave. All these leaves must be purchased by December 16th 2012 to qualify for the above contribution rate. Previous leaves purchased after December 16th 2012 will be based on actuarial formula and will be significantly higher. Applications for purchase of Parental leaves or pervious Parental Leaves are on the TRAF website at www.TRAF.mb.ca. If you have any questions please contact TRAF directly at 1 204 949 0048 or www.TRAF.mb.ca. .

University of Brandon Strike

The BU practica for Education students are set to begin this coming Monday, and of course the Brandon University Faculty Association -- which includes the Faculty Advisors who supervise student teaching practica -- is on strike. The MTS President, Paul Olson, has released an information statement regarding this matter. Please read it here.

Our New Website

I hope you have noticed our new website. We plan to use the website to provide you with as much information as possible. We are still in the development stage so your patience is appreciated as we grow the website. Here, you will find answers to questions relating to the workplace and our collective agreement. Current information regarding education/workplace matters will be posted, as well as social interactions. One of my goals is to reduce the amount of paper the Association puts out. With this in mind Council agendas, minutes, notices, etc. will all be posted here. I would encourage you not to print copies unless you really want/need to do so. Help us save a tree or two! Thank you to James Rogowy of digicandesigns.com for helping us make this possible.

Thank You

On Thursday, October 13th STJATA held a Maternity Benefits seminar. We would like to thank Nancy Kerr from the Provincial MTS for facilitating this seminar. Bravo et merci Nancy! Thank you also to Alicja Szarkiewicz (Teacher Welfare) and Jerry Sereda (Social Events) for organizing the event. If you would like to join one of Alicja or Jerry's committees and help organize one or two future events, please contact them directly.

Blue Cross Benefits

Did you know STJATA has a mandatory Group Benefits Plan? All members of STJATA are automatically enrolled unless you opt out because of a spousal plan. Take the test below to see if you know which benefits you have!
The following coverage is part of my Group Life Plan. Yes/No
- Crutches/Canes
- Massage
- Athletic Therapy
- Orthotics
- Tutors
- Private Nursing

If you answered “yes” to all of the above you are correct! These are only some of the benefits you are entitled to under our plan. If you haven’t done so yet please visit:
Blue Cross eService
and register to see a personal list of your benefits and what you have used to date. .

Professional Development

As part of the Collective Agreement reached with our employer in June 2011, STJATA now administers a Professional Development fund for all STJATA members. The fund’s guiding principle is that teachers are the best judges of the professional development they require/need to help them in their own professional growth. You are encouraged to review all the information found in the Library section or on the Quick Links below, to apply for funding as required.