LINC Update

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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.

STF School Re-Opening Advisory

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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

PSTA Executive & Committee Elections

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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.

PSTA Nomination Form for 2020-2021 – all officesDownload

All executive members and standing committee chairs receive an honorarium.

PSTA Student Scholarship Application Forms now available!

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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.

SASKATCHEWAN TEACHERS’ FEDERATION ANNOUNCES SANCTIONS

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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:

  • Continue to provide students with the best possible learning opportunities during the school day.
  • Report to school and provide professional service no more than 15 minutes prior to the start of the school day and not later than 15 minutes after the conclusion of the school day.
  • Continue to provide student supervision such as recess, lunch or bus supervision within the time frame specified above.
  • Not provide any voluntary or extracurricular services.

“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.

Presidential Candidate Videos

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The PSTA Executive invited both presidential candidates to answers three questions in a short video to share with members. We hope this helps to inform your decision.

Scott Woods-Fehr

Nomination for PSTA President

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Scott Woods-Fehr, PSTA Presidential Candidate

CANDIDATE FOR PSTA PRESIDENT

My name is Scott Woods-Fehr and I am seeking your support to become President of the Prairie Spirit Teachers’ Association (PSTA).

I have been teaching since 2002 and have a variety of experience including teaching middle years and high school at Chief Poundmaker School and six years at Hanley Composite in the role of K-12 Special Education Resource Teacher. Currently, I am in my fifth year teaching grade 7 at Warman Community Middle School. I believe that my range of experience allows me to truly speak for all teachers in our school division.

My partner Andrea is a teacher and works as a special education consultant. We live in Saskatoon with our kids Liam (age 10) and Jonah (age 8) and our dog Sam (age 13!). I am passionate about computers and technology, and I enjoy BMX racing, family bike rides, and playing beach volleyball with friends. 

I have over 11 years of experience with the PSTA. As a substitute teacher, I started attending School Staff Liaison meetings to better understand the roles of the STF and local associations.  In 2009 I was elected as STF councillor and have served in that role to date. This year I am also serving as Councillor Chair.  Since I joined the PSTA Executive, we transitioned to a new provincial funding model for education which has changed the shared work of the Board, Division Office, and PSTA Executive. As a councillor, I have met with our school board to share members’ concerns and discuss ways the board can best support teachers and students.

I am proud to say our relationship with the PSSD board and senior administration is positive. Board members consistently seek to understand teacher working and student learning conditions and we enjoy an open flow of communication. However, there have been times in previous years when we were obliged to engage in difficult conversations with the director and senior administration to discuss emerging and challenging issues on behalf of Prairie Spirit teachers.

As PSTA President, I pledge to maintain the positive and open relationship past presidents have developed with our board and division staff. At the same time, I will advocate for the needs of teachers with a strong voice. My experience in a variety of K-12 classroom settings, as a special education teacher, and in small and large schools allows me to understand the different positions and perspectives of teachers across our division. Teachers are the experts in what our students need to thrive as learners however, we continue to face numerous challenges that contribute to the intensification of teacher workload including underfunding, a lack mental health supports for students, and increasing class complexity.

The work of the PSTA is incredibly important for the future of our profession and I look forward to the opportunity to represent you locally and provincially. Thank you for your support.