PRAIRIE SPIRIT TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
Our first remote General Assembly from a technical standpoint was a success but we want to hear from you. Watch for a survey from our PD Committee to hear what you thought about the format and sessions offered.
We had hoped to offer videos of the afternoon presentations for members to view at a later date, but were unable to save and store copies of the presentations.
Two of our own PSTA Councillors, Amy Korver and Amy Orth have spent the last year researching the experience of female administrators in Saskatchewan. By interviewing female administrators in Prairie Spirit and Prairie South School Division, Korver and Orth were able to better understand the challenges these educational leaders in Saskatchewan face and provide recommendations to address the explicit and implicit gender discrimination from colleagues, parents and students. You can read more about their work in the September STF Bulletin and the read their report on our website when it is available.
If you called the STF this September, you have hopefully noticed a more direct and prompt response to your questions as the STF launched the new Member Support Centre to address member concerns. After a 2018 survey found 36% of members identified a need to reduce response times and the number of transfers when calling with an inquiry, the federation began designing a more efficient system of case management and call tracking. After one of the five centre’s representatives collect some information they are now better equipped to connect you with the person best suited to address your questions. When you do have to wait on hold, you are now given the option of a call back.
Our current Local Agreement expired on Aug 31st, 2020, but will remain in place until we have negotiated and signed a new agreement. Unfortunately, our negations were put on hold with the closure of schools in Spring. With School Board Elections this November, it is likely negotiations will begin after Christmas break.
In addition to the surveys used last year to gather feedback about the current agreement, we want to learn more about how our members’ of the local agreement has been impacted by COVID and Return to School plans. The LINC team will be sending a short survey to SSLs every 2 weeks focused on one section or theme to gather feedback. We want to know how COVID has impacted prep time, supervision, and blended learning.
In the meantime, our LINC is collaborating with PSSD to review implementation of the agreement, identify areas that have been affected by COVID, and address issues that arise. If you have questions or comments related to the Local Agreement, please contact our LINC Chair, Brian Knowles, or PSTA President, Scott Woods-Fehr.
Kim Cooper and Brian Knowles spoke to the STF Bulletin about our Special Project Grant supporting teacher wellness. You can read about it in the STF Bulletin or on the STF website.
The Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation has put together a document, “School Re-opening Advisory”.
You can find it in your inbox or on the at STF website. The document contains important information about quarantine leave, refusal to work, and duty to accommodate.
If you have any questions or concerns now or in the future, please contact your PSTA President, Scott Woods-Fehr or call the STF Member Support Centre at (306) 373-1660
Nominations for PSTA Executive and standing committees (2020-2021) are now open.
Becoming involved in the PSTA is an excellent way to support teachers, influence positive change in education, and contribute to teaching and learning in Prairie Spirit. Please consider running for one of the following positions:
Vice President
The Vice President assists the president by carrying out responsibilities designated to the office by the president and/or executive, presides over general meetings of membership, collaborates with the professional development committee to organize general assemblies, and assumes the role of president in the event that the president is unable to carry out their duties.
STF Councillors
There are ten (10) STF Councillor positions available for 2020-2021. STF Councillors sit on the PSTA Executive, support the work of PSTA committees, and represent teachers within the STF. They also attend annual meetings of Council where they learn about educational issues in Saskatchewan, elect the STF Executive, and discuss and debate resolutions to guide the Federation.
Local Implementation and Negotiation Committee
There are six (6) LINC positions available for 2020-2021. LINC members implement, monitor, and negotiate our Local Collective Bargaining Agreement. 2020 – 2021 will be a negotiation year.
Professional Development Committee
There are five (5) PD Committee positions available for 2020-2021. The PD committee consults and collaborates with PSSD to help meet the professional learning needs of PSTA members. They also plan the PSTA General Assembly, and work to ensure that all provisions related to professional development/adult learning contained within LINC are implemented.
Communications Committee
There are three (3) Communications Committee positions available for 2020-2021. The Communications Committee works to enhance communication within the PSTA, and with our education partners and communities. They also work to promote the PSTA and enhance the image of the teaching profession. The PSTA will need this committee to manage our social media accounts and website starting in August 2020.
Nominations will close from the virtual floor of the representative assembly on May 12th, 2020.
All executive members and standing committee chairs receive an honorarium.
The Prairie Spirit Teachers’ Association is pleased to award four scholarships of $500.00 each to Prairie Spirit School Division students graduating in 2020 who are enrolled in a post-secondary institution. Prairie Spirit teachers value lifelong learning and the positive impact lifelong learners have on their communities.
Please encourage eligible 2020 grads to apply and support them in this endeavour!
The application deadline is April 17th. Go to Documents and Forms to download the application form or click on our logo below.
March 9, 2020Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Despite acknowledging that complexity and composition of our classrooms is challenging, government remains unwilling to provide adequate support for students across the province.
As a result, the Teachers’ Bargaining Committee will be implementing sanctions beginning Thursday, March 12, 2020.
“It is extremely frustrating that government admits there is a problem, but refuses to address it,” said Patrick Maze, President, Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation. “Students are paying the price. Teachers have made it clear that securing adequate classroom resources for students is worth fighting for.”
On February 10 and 11, teachers voted 90.2 percent in favour of sanctions. Under the Restriction of Services sanction, all Federation members will:
“We recognize this causes uncertainty, disappointment and frustration for students, parents and teachers,” said Maze. “We had all hoped to avoid this situation. We ask for continued support in urging government to fix the problems its underfunding has created for students across the province.”
The sanction will remain in effect until further notice. The Teachers’ Bargaining Committee remains focused on negotiating an agreement that addresses student need and is deemed acceptable by teachers. Information and updates on sanctions are available at www.stf.sk.ca/teaching-saskatchewan/collective-bargaining/sanctions.
