|
|
|
|
|
|
STA Connection
September 16-20, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Are your school’s portables FAR from a washroom?
|
|
If yes – is there access from the portable to a washroom facility which is “not more than 60 metres (200feet) walking distance”? Please check and tell us!
As per WorkSafe Regulations and Compliance, “Occupational Environment Requirements”-
Section 4.85(1) specifies:
Requires washroom facilities to be “readily available for workers.” Generally, the walking distance from a working area to a washroom should not be more than 60 metres (200 feet).
In multi-storied workplaces, washrooms should not be more than one floor above or below the working area.
In a workplace where the washroom facilities are not part of the building occupied by or under the control of the employer, the employer must ensure suitable facilities are available to workers.
In order to support the health and safety of all members in the district, this WorkSafe Regulation should be followed. IF the district is not in compliance, it is expected that a suitable solution be provided.
We are asking for your help in collecting this data/feedback – which would be used to ensure that our members have access and availability to suitable facilities at every worksite.
Please report your findings to the STA Health & Safety officer, Dana Neidig at hs@surreyteachers.org.
|
|
Clause of the Week: D.4.7 Elementary Prep Time
|
|
In light of the increase to prep time for elementary teachers, we would like to highlight the Elementary entitlements.
D.4.7 ELEMENTARY
a. Full-time elementary teachers shall be entitled to a minimum of one hundred ten (110) minutes per week for purposes of preparation.
b. Normally, such time shall be allocated in blocks of thirty (30) minutes duration but shall be no less than twenty (20) minutes duration.
c. Part-time teachers working forty percent (40%) or more of full-time shall receive preparation time pro-rated according to their FTE status and assignment.
|
|
Changes to the Teacher Regulation Branch
|
|
There is no longer a Ministry branch called the Teacher Regulation Branch. It has been separated into the following three sections.
- The Teacher Certification Branch strictly focuses on the certification process. Information can be found on the Ministry of Education website.
- The professional conduct unit name remains the same, and can be found by searching Commissioner for Teacher Regulation.
- The Professional Excellence and Outreach Unit supports the work of the BC Teachers’ Council.
|
|
|
The STA is offering its first session of Staff Rep Training from September 26 to October 10. The Rookie training on September 26th is currently full. If you’d like to be a part of the waitlist, please email graphics@surreyteachers.org. Returning reps are invited to register now!
|
|
Are you a new teacher? Join Mentor36!
|
|
|
Mentor 36 is currently accepting applications from mentees for the new school year. The deadline to apply is September 25. For more information, and to apply, visit the Mentor 36 website.
|
|
Heart of the Union: Awards Committee Spotlight
|
|
Thank you committee members for being responsible for implementing the Policies of the Surrey Teachers’ Association with respect to Scholarships/Bursaries/Jenn Wadge Social Justice, Member Recognition, and Honorary Association Memberships Recognition.
We just want you to know that your work hasn't gone unnoticed – thank you for volunteering your time to serve on the Awards Committee.
Committee Members are:
Andrea Leeks; Helen Kelsey-Etmanski; Jacqueline King; Melanie Miki; Sandra Willing; Jatinder Bir (Chair)
|
|
This Friday & Saturday: Support for the Student Climate Strikes!
|
|
|
This September 20, 21 and 27, a number of Global Climate Strikes have been planned around the province. For ideas on how to support your students in becoming engaged in these events, see this Student Climate Strike document.
|
|
BC BIPOC (Black. Indigenous. People of Colour) Educators’ Conference
|
|
|
The focus of the BC BIPOC Educators’ Conference is to center the voices, experiences and needs of Indigenous, Black and People of Colour in public education. This conference will host participants in education who struggle daily with systemic racism and interlocking systems of social oppression. Attendees will have the opportunity to forge new solidarities by developing a shared commitment to work for meaningful change in our educational practices, workplaces and union spaces. The time to usher in impactful, lasting change in BC public education is now! BIPOC educators and students deserve and demand better! Join us on Saturday, October 5 for a momentous day of community, action and growth.
|
|
We are so proud to be Surrey Teachers and we know there are amazing things happening around the district that we would love to hear about. In the spirit of acts of kindness, we would love for our members to send us a “shout out” about a colleague who inspires you and who you think deserves recognition, whether it is for their kindness, a great resource they shared recently, or an awesome lesson they teach.
This week’s shout out is from Gavin Hainsworth to Christy Van Ieperen:
“I would like to send a shout out to Christy Van Ieperen. Although we don’t teach together, we meet frequently at professional and union gatherings, she is such a bright light! She is unfailingly positive and spreads kindness and happiness to all she meets (new and old). Always ready to share ideas about teaching, I have heard from so many quarters what a giving and caring person she is! She must have an amazing class as well.”
Thank you Gavin, you and Christy are now entered into our monthly draw for a $25 Indigo! gift certificate. Please submit your “shout outs” to Angela via communications@surreyteachers.org to spread the kindness around our local and for your chance to win a gift card too!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
