St. James Assiniboia Teachers' Association

News Archives

President's Message March 2012

History of the high school ‘Home Prep’>br> The "Home Period" came into being shortly after 1982. The division administration, at the time, wanted to extend the length of the school day beyond the 5.5 hours as prescribed by the Public Schools Act. The reasons for extending the day were to accommodate a new program called the ‘International Baccalaureate Program’ that the school division was introducing and to address some transportation scheduling issues. At the time, the regular day ended at 3:11 PM. The IB teachers wanted semestered courses so the students could compact their high school courses (Gr. 10 -12 at that time) and do the IB courses and exams in their grade 12 year. So the day was was extended to 3:30 PM, which meant that teachers worked an additional 19 minutes per day (114 Mins. Per 6 day cycle). The teachers at Silver Heights, the school where I.B. was being introduced, accepted the new timetable with the provision that that teachers would be allowed to use the 114 Mins/cycle as each saw fit. This meant, and is practiced, that teachers do not have to ask for permission as to how they would use the time. This time was called the “Home Period”. As all the high schools had their days lengthened to match the one at Silver Heights, the Home Period was also implemented at all the high schools.

Originally, on each teacher's timetable the "Home Periods" were designated as such. Other non-teaching time, was designated as Prep time. Hence the periods could never be confused. The new day cycle was composed of 5 periods per day--3 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. So teachers slotted their "Home Periods" either in Periods 1, 3, 4 or 5 whenever possible. This ensured the greatest freedom for teachers since the 114 minutes was their own time to schedule and to use as they pleased including leaving the building. Now, some schools have varying procedures on how teachers access their home preps but each high school teacher is entitled to and owed one home period per cycle.

President's Message January 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)

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.