Janet Bigham

Our union is calling on the Ontario Ministry of Education to change the funding formula for school boards to ensure special education students have their needs met. It’s time to fulfill promises to #onted students. #onpoli search.app/U7KpzvX4gWBuG3…

#ETFO MEDIA STATEMENT on @OntAutism Report @ETFOPresident: “The…report underscores the devastating impact of unmet student needs, policy failures, & chronic underfunding by the Ford Cons on children w special ed needs across the province.” #OntEd #OnLab etfo.ca/news-publicati…

The Ford government’s refusal to prioritize public education is irresponsible. New report by @OntAutism underscores the devastating impact of unmet student needs. MEDIA STATEMENT etfo.ca/news-publicati… #onpoli #FundEducation

The Ministry of Education has changed the way schools are funded, eliminating protected funding for school libraries and library staff. Let the Ford government and Education Minister @ToddSmithPC know that every student in Ontario needs a properly funded and staffed school library! Sign the Ontario School Library Association's petition here: accessola.com/save-our-schoo… #onted #onpoli @ONLibraryAssoc

As an educator who has brought students to the Ontario Science Centre, it's disheartening to see them deprived of this valuable learning opportunity. Read the report linked below—there's no justification for this closure. It shows reckless disregard for our world-class education system and the students, families, and communities it serves. @SaveOSC @fordnation canadianarchitect.com/ontario-scienc… Sign the petition to reverse the closure. nmshr.io/s/twitter/ZBY5…

After nearly a 10-year legal battle to protect members, this historic decision provides welcome guidance about reasonable expectations of privacy in the workplace, and the unintended or accidental disclosures of private communications. Statement at etfo.ca/news-publicati… #onpoli

Registration is now open for Summer Academy. ETFO courses run in July and August. There are in-person courses at various locations across Ontario and virtual courses. Registration for in-person courses costs $75, and for virtual courses, $30. More at events.etfo.org

ETFO's Summer Academy 2024 registration is now open! All courses are facilitated by dynamic presenters and structured to meet educators' personal and professional needs. ETFO courses run in July and August in-person across Ontario and virtually. Visit events.etfo.org

Check out this bursary from @OTIP_Insurance. Apply before June to be considered for a $1,500 bursary that is awarded to 20 students each year. Learn more: otip.com/Why-OTIP/Givin… #onted #PSE #onpoli

During recent central bargaining , #ETFO fought for improvements that would address increasing violence and disruption in schools – a key priority for our 83,000 members. As a result of our strong advocacy at the bargaining table, several new measures were agreed to in bargaining, including publicly facing school signage that communicates behaviour expectations for everyone, as well as a revision of PPM 128 to address behaviour, consequences, and safety. Since the ratification of ETFO’s central agreement in December 2023, representatives from ETFO, the provincial govt, and @OPSBA met to revise PPM 128. During those meetings, ETFO proposed revisions to some of the very issues cited by the Education Minister today, e.g., social media use by students, and tobacco and vaping misuse. In addition, ETFO proposed strengthening school board codes of conduct to address increasing violence in schools by including several measures that the government failed to address today. We will reserve judgment on whether the govt has fulfilled its commitment to ETFO during bargaining until after we have had an opportunity to review the full range of changes to PPM 128. Despite our attempts to make improvements to school environments in a collaborative way with this government, ETFO was not given the opportunity to review the revisions before the Ford government released them. This is extremely disappointing, but true to form for a government that has, for years, consistently disregarded input from its education partners. FULL MEDIA STATEMENT, including list of ETFO recommendations: etfo.ca/news-publicati…

"The govt has decided to try to increase transparency and show where money is going, but it doesn't change a single thing about the flaws that exist within the funding formula. So, for us, it's nothing more than window dressing," said #ETFO First VP @dmastin55. "It's absolutely not enough. When you have a 2.7% increase in funding, but inflation is at 3.8% and growth is expected at 1%, that is a cut." Watch the full @citynews interview here: toronto.citynews.ca/video/2024/04/… #onted #onpoli

The teacher recruitment and retention crisis is not due to an actual shortage. Ontario has 10s of 1000s qualified people leaving the profession because Ford's govt refuses to address the root causes including: 😟learning and working conditions 😟decade-long suppression of wages 😟inadequate recognition of teachers’ credentials and expertise etfo.ca/news-publicati… #onpoli

On #InternationalWomensDay we celebrate all the women - mothers, activists, change makers and politicians - that helped pave a way to equality. There is still much to do to lift up women with a disability and Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ women. Rise up for equity! #onpoli

TODAY: Ontario Appeal Court rules Ford government's Bill 124 - wage cap - was unconstitutional! @ETFOpresident said - Let the Court’s ruling be a lesson for the Ford govt to never circumvent bargaining or trample on workers’ democratic rights again. Workers have a right to an unrestricted bargaining process, which is guaranteed by the Charter and must be upheld. #ONpoli

Beyond celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth ETFO urges a year-long focus on Black excellence. Our union also calls on individuals to actively challenge anti-Black racism as we work together to build a more just, inclusive society -it starts with education. READ statement etfo.ca/news-publicati… #onpoli

Treaties Recognition Week was formally established in 2016. It is a time dedicated to honouring the treaties and learning about the rights and responsibilities of treaty partners to one another. Find #onted resources to support this learning at etfofnmi.ca. #onpoli

This is a clear message to the Ford govt that ETFO members stand with their union and bargaining team. With the strength and solidarity of our members behind us, @etfopresident says we will work hard to reach an agreement and we expect the govt to do the same! #onpoli #onted

BREAKING: Teachers and occasional teachers authorize #onted strike action. “This strong strike mandate sends a very clear message to the govt,”@etfopresident. RELEASE bit.ly/3tIKxvE #onpoli #onted

As we celebrate the #InternationalDayOfTheGirl2023 we urge governments worldwide to prioritize and invest in public education to empower girls and help create a better future! #onted #IDG2023

Let's refocus on what is actually happening in #onted as a result of the actions of the Ontario government. HINT: It is definitely NOT a so-called "historic investment" that the minister of education keeps going on about. #onpoli