OSSTF News + Publications

• Every February OSSTF/FEESO members are invited to organize and participate in Black History Month events to celebrate the important contributions and legacy of Black Canadians.
• This year has shown us just how important it is to stand against anti-Black racism and to advocate for meaningful structural change that challenges and eliminates oppression.
• OSSTF/FEESO has developed a design for use by members, Districts and Bargaining Units. This design is for use on t-shirts, websites, social media, posters, newsletters and other publications. The images, in various formats, are available for viewing and download at: Black History Month Graphics 2021
• Read the OSSTF/FEESO Statement about Black History Month          

• The 2021 OTIP Teaching Awards are open for nominations.
• The Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) and the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF) are proud sponsors of the OTIP Teaching Awards. For many years, these awards have recognized the excellence of our teachers in publicly funded education. 
• There are three categories of awards: elementary school teacher, secondary school teacher and beginning teacher in the first five years of teaching. A teacher may be nominated by anyone – professional colleagues, students, parents, or the general public.
• Further information is available at www.teachingawards.ca.

Applications are now open to all  members of OSSTF for appointments to provincial standing committees and councils. Any member in good standing is encouraged to apply for one of our  many provincial committees and councils for term and cooption positions.

Vacancies are available on the  following Committees and Councils:

• Comité des service en langue française
• Communications and Political Action Committee
• Educational Services Committee
• Finance Committee
• Health & Safety/Workplace Safety and       Insurance Act Committee
• Human Rights Committee
• Parliamentary and Constitution Council
• Protective Services Committee
• Status of Women Committee

• OSSTF has launched a campaign to educate the public about what hybrid learning means, illustrating the challenges it creates for educators who must give their attention to students both in the classroom and online at the same time.
• Please use share the Here For Students webpage with tools to take action. 
• Check out and share the social media posts on Twitter: @hereforstudents  and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hereforstudents

Throughout Covid, OSSTF has been offering online workshops for pension planning and  retirement. It is never too early to start learning about financial strategies for retirement. Webinars are about 75 min long and there are opportunities for questions of the presenters.

You can register for an OTPP (Teachers) Pension Webinar using one of the links below.

•  Wednesday, February 17 from 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm
• Thursday, April 8 from 4:30 pm – 5:45 pm
• Tuesday, May 4 from 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
• Thursday, May 27 from 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm

You can register for an OMERS Pension Webinar using one of the links below.

• Tuesday, February 16 from 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm
• Wednesday, April 7 from 4:30 pm – 5:45 pm
• Thursday, May 13 from 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm (French Webinar)
• Saturday, May 29 from 10:00 am – 11:15 am

•  The Student Achievement Awards Ceremony 2020 video  is now available. Check it our for inspiration and heartwarming stories of student achievement, assisted by OSSTF Members. (These students were not able to be honoured at AMPA 2020 since it was done virtually and in an expedited manor. )

The Queen's Faculty of  Education is running an "Every Scholar" program, which is designed as a lifelong learning program for retirees in the Kingston community.  As part of a community initiative, this live-online program using Zoom will be completely free for individuals interested in participating.

Registration is open for a Health Sciences course, “Health 101”, beginning on November 13. 

More information can be found here: https://pros.educ.queensu.ca/courses/category/27

If you have questions about the course, please contact professionalstudies@queensu.ca

• Please visit this link regarding an opportunity for members and their students to get involved in an international project related to the environment and climate change. The project is free and will be launched in October 2020. 

• Covid-19 Updates are available on the secure Member website (login required).

• Reports found here