FROM THE GENERAL SECRETARY


A NEW YEAR TO SHOW OUR COLLECTIVE STRENGTH FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION


and challenge, both in the classroom and at the bargaining table. Hopefully you had an enjoyable, active


Y


and relaxing vacation to recharge your bat- teries for the work that you love. I am so proud of the actions of ETFO’s


83,000 members in defending public edu- cation over the past year in the face of the Ford Conservative government’s damaging changes. In the Queen’s Park rally on April 6, Red for Ed Fridays, MPP rallies and lob- bying, ETFO pledge cards and messages that #Fordisfailing, ETFO members showed their passion for public education and the students they serve. You also demonstrated your commitment


to teacher working conditions and profes- sional judgement. It was evident in your de- fence of Regulation 274 and your spreading the message #HandsoffFDK. Many of you took the time to post your stories on these issues at buildingbetterschools.ca. The resolve of ETFO and its members to


continue advocating for appropriate invest- ment in teaching and learning conditions is likely to be tested over the coming months. ETFO’s goal is to engage in fair and respect- ful bargaining; however, this government has already shown its stripes. It has little respect for students and working people and is more concerned about reducing spending and of- fering corporate tax breaks. Your provincial Executive is committed to


negotiating the best agreements possible for all ETFO members and will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. What’s important is that we have the support and solidarity of all members to do what’s needed – on the ground, in locals, at MPP offices or on social media – to stand up to this government. We are fortunate to have built a tre-


mendous amount of goodwill and support among the public, parent and community organizations, and students as we stood together on issues including the roll-back of the 2015 Health and Physical Education Curriculum, cuts to autism funding, class


6 ETFO VOICE | FALL 2019


ou are the heart of Ontario’s world-class public education sys- tem. I want to welcome you back to a school year full of promise


size increases and possible changes to Full- Day Kindergarten. We have continued to work with these


partners to force the government to stand down on many of its ill-conceived an- nouncements. The fact that the public trusts teachers rather than the government when it comes to education and the well-being of students suggests that actions we may need to take during bargaining will have the sup- port of these groups. Other issues are sure to arise from the


Ford government this year including the possible privatization of public services. His- tory tells us that privatization costs more because corporations cut corners and reduce wages to make a profit as we’ve seen with privatized health care, waste and water man- agement and hydro. We’ve also seen the effects of priva-


tization on education, including charter schools,


school vouchers and education


tax credits. In the United States and some Canadian jurisdictions, alternative schools have syphoned off precious funding from public school systems while creating gross


inequities for students. From an academic standpoint, these alternative schools have not outperformed public schools. In 2018, the Ford government indicat-


ed that it may make changes to Full-Day Kindergarten (FDK) for the 2020-2021 year. ETFO and many education experts remain steadfast that the FDK program is show- ing demonstrable results in the academic, social, emotional and cognitive development of students. That’s why ETFO is resolved to maintain the current model which includes the teacher and designated ear- ly childhood educator team. With your support, we will continue our campaign to maintain this model. ETFO will continue to defend public


education this year and I ask you to remain dedicated to that goal. Ontario students and parents are looking to ETFO’s 83,000 mem- bers to do everything possible to protect our world-class education system in the face of a regressive government. With your passion and collective commitment, we will not let them down.


– Sharon O’Halloran


PHOTO BY KATHRYN GAITENS


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