1. law, govt and politics
2. government
3. courts and judiciary

WEEKLY CHECKMARK
“Dear Teachers, What you do for a living matters. Every Day. Thank you!” M Ferguson
6 Halifax County Local members were
honoured for their service to the NSTU with
the Local Service Award at Annual Council:
May 11,
11, 2015
Volume 31
Joel Fraser, Harry R Hamilton Elem
Dominique Duchesne, Seaside Elem
Turk MacDonald, Local Treasurer
Susan Noiles, Lockview High
Elizabeth Fraser, Hammonds Plains Cons
Lorna Trethewey, Harry R Hamilton Elem
In this issue
Upcoming Events
2
Annual Council 2015
3
New PR Campaign
4
PDAF Grant
4
Where Are We In The
Negotiating Process?
5
Calendar:
Events & Deadlines
6
Student Bursary
Application
7
1
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HALIFAX COUNTY
Most Active Local in NS!
Pre-Retirement Session
Thursday May 14, 2015
4:30 pm Dr Tom Parker Building
Register w [email protected]
Contracts / Job Fair Session
Wednesday May 27, 2015
4:30 pm Dr Tom Parker Building
Register w [email protected]
Retirement Dinner
Deadline for Tickets
Wed May 27, 2015
[email protected]
Retirement Dinner
Friday June 5, 2015
Delta Halifax
Tickets on sale now – to be
ordered before May 27
Big Fish booked to play again!
Halifax Pride Parade
Saturday July 25
Local Executive Summer
Planning & Leadership
August 10 – 12
NSTU Leadership Dev’t Institute
August 18 – 20
Teacher Placement Process
Labour Day Rally
Monday September 7, 2015
Victoria Park (across Public
Gardens)
10:30 am – 1:00 pm (ish)
Register w Meg Fergsuon
[email protected]
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NSTU
STU ANNUAL COUNCI
OUNCIL
NCIL 2015
Over this Mother’s Day Weekend, 300 NSTU members gathered from around the province to make decisions and debate
resolutions on our over 10,000 members’ behalf. Thank you to the 48 Halifax County Local members who gave up their
weekend on behalf of our Local.
It is interesting to note that all of the resolutions from Halifax County that went to Council passed – some with more debate
than others. The following are the topics we brought forward:
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Amend NSTU policy regarding class size and composition that “Combined Classes” ideal cap of 15 students be changed
to “Combined Elementary Classes” because in the secondary level, some classes are combined because of lower
enrolment to protect programming.
That the NSTU strive to negotiate the class caps outlined in our policy.
o Secondary at 25, Elemenatry at 20, Primary at 15, Special at 10 and Combined Elementary classes at 15.
That we strive to achieve secondary tech ed classes capped at 16 for safety reasons.
That we strive toensure marking and preparation time not be scheduled during recess (on other Board can do this)
That strive for language in the contract to ensure travel allowance is done fairly for circuit teachers.
That we strive to remove Article 50.02 from the TPA – it encourages teachers to carpool to meetings and in-services
That we strive to have class composition come into consideration when looking at capping class sizes.
That we urge the DOE to consult with the NSTU prior to implementation of significant educational change.
That the NSTU address the increased time required of teachers to fill out medical documentation
That the NSTU explore a way that members would not have to pay Professional Association Conference registration in
advance
Please see our Facebook page for photos!
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NEW PR CAMPAIGN
The NSTU also had a photo booth set up where they took photos of
members to start a PR campaign about why we love teaching. Not only
were still photos taken with hashtags #NSTUProud #NSTUCouncil , but they
filed teachers sharing why they love teaching.
Please note that this initiative stemmed from the Halifax County Local
Communications Committee who took it to the Regional Communications
Committee and then submitted it to Provincial NSTU. GREAT idea!
We encourage all members to share on social media why they love teaching
with the hash tags #IamNSTU and #NSTUProud
PDAF GRANT RECIPIENTS
Melanie Kennedy
Auburn Drive High School
Creating In The Arts
We have a new course at Auburn that is a combination of a support class for students with
special needs and a course called Creating in the Arts. This class is comprised of students
from our learning centre. Mainstream students will come into the class and we will all
create something together, starting wherever the personality and ability levels of our group
meet. The grant money will purchase equipment to aid in the music and art portions of the
class, most particularly an instrument called the Skoog that is ideal for students who are
differently abled. It allows students who cannot play traditional instruments to make and
even compose music.
Congratulations to the April 2015 PDAF Grant Recipients from Halifax County:
Mark Hulshof, Leslie Thomas Junior High
“Give Your Class a Classkick”
Mamoona Brace, Bell Park Academic Centre
“What’s Your Culture”
Next PDAF Grant Deadlines: June 1, 2015 then August 1, 2015
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WHERE ARE WE IN THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS?
Our Provincial Agreement expires July 31, 2015. Where are we in the process for negotiations? See below
“To Do Timeline”
Timeline” for opening negotiations with the
Department of Education & Early Childhood Development:
evelopment:
To do
Completed
Call for submissions to the Asking Package
October 2014
Create Asking Package
Winter 2014
Provincial Executive approves Asking Package
Mon March 9, 2015
Provincial Executive appoints Negotiating Team
Mon March 9, 2015
Letter sent to / received
received from Minister of
Education to open negotiations
Set date to open negotiations & exchange
Asking Packages with DoEECD negotiating team
Present the
the NSTU Asking Package to NSTU
membership across the province
Negotiations begin
5
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
Saturday
2
Sunday
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Pre-Retirement
Session
15
School-based Inservice
16
17
21
22
23
24
28
29
30
31
John Huntley Interns
at NSTU
John Huntley Interns
at NSTU
Local Council
Meeting
Notice of Assts
Perm Posting 1
18
No School
Vicotoria Day
19
Perm Posting 1 closes
20
Art 60 PD Fund
Committee Meeting
Deadline
Student Bursary
Application
25
Deadline
Art 60 Conf Grants
In-Service Prom Grant
26
27
Wellness Com Meeting
Teacher Placement
Process & Contract
Info Session
Deadline
Local Conference Appl
Perm Posting 2
HRRC Secretary or
Treasurer Application
Deadline
Retirement Dinner Tkts
Monday
1
HRRC Meeting
Communications Com
Equity & Reps Com Mtg
Tuesday
2
PD Committee
Meeting
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
Exec Meeting
Metro Teachers
GSA Meeting
9
10
Friday
Saturday
6
Prov Exec at
NSTU
Sunday
7
12
13
Teacher Plac.
Process 8:30
14
19
20
21
27
28
5
Perm Posting 2 Closes
8
Annual General
Meeting
15
Teacher Placement
Process 4pm
16
17
Art 60 PD Fund
Committee Meeting
11
Teacher Placement
Process 4pm
18
Management/Teacher
Meeting
Term Posting live
22
29
23
30
24
Wellness Com Meeting
Elected School Board
meeting
25
26
Executive Transition
Meeting & Dinner
Term Posting Closes
Other dates
Developing Successful Schools July 6 – 9, 2015
Pride Parade July 25, 2015
CONTACT Conference Aug 4 – 7, 2015
Executive Summer Leadership Aug10 – 12, 2015
NSTU Leadership Development Institute Aug 18 – 20, 2015
Labour Day Rally September 7, 2015
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LOCAL COMMITTEE
halifaxcountylocal
EXPRESSION OF
NOV A SCOTI A TE ACHE RS U NI ON
INTEREST FORM
Name:
Contact information: (W)
(H)
(C)
NSTU email:
Present school/site and assignment:
LOCAL COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES
_______ re-offering (on a committee now)
_______ offering (not on a committee)
If you are re-offering, what committees have you been on and how long?
If you wish to be considered for more than one committee please rank in order of preference.
_______ Economic Welfare
_______Social and Wellness
_______Finance
_______Equity/NSTU Representatives
_______Nominations and Resolutions
_______Communications
_______Professional Development
_______ Any of the above
Other NSTU Activities
Through submission of this form I am indicating that I have investigated and fully understand the responsibilities of
the position of the committee and will commit to serve the members of Halifax County Local. I am a member in good
standing and agree to adhere to the Local Constitution. Operational Procedures. A member can serve on a committee
for a maximum of 4 years.
Due: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 no later than 4:00 PM
Please email [email protected] or fax 468-7782
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