Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association

97% Vote “YES”: Catholic Teachers Deliver Overwhelming Strike Mandate

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 19, 2023
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TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a province-wide vote conducted on October 18 and 19, Catholic teachers – the members of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) – delivered an overwhelming strike mandate, with 97 per cent voting in favour of authorizing strike action, if necessary.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a province-wide vote conducted on October 18 and 19, Catholic teachers – the members of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) – delivered an overwhelming strike mandate, with 97 per cent voting in favour of authorizing strike action, if necessary.
  • OECTA has issued the following statement from President René Jansen in de Wal:
    “Our overwhelming strike mandate sends a clear message to the Ford Conservative government and the representatives of Catholic school boards that Catholic teachers want to see meaningful progress and results at the bargaining table that address the lack of resources, supports, and time teachers need to best serve their students.
  • Contrary to Minister of Education Stephen Lecce’s ongoing misinformation campaign, taking a strike vote and receiving a strong strike mandate does not necessarily mean that Catholic teachers will take job action.
  • And it will enable the Association to proceed forward in negotiations with the full confidence of Catholic teachers.

Catholic Teachers to Hold Province-wide Strike Vote

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 21, 2023
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TORONTO, Aug. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has released the following statement from President René Jansen in de Wal, announcing that OECTA will conduct a province-wide strike vote on October 18 and 19.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, Aug. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has released the following statement from President René Jansen in de Wal, announcing that OECTA will conduct a province-wide strike vote on October 18 and 19.
  • Catholic teachers have been bargaining with representatives of the Government of Ontario and Catholic school boards for more than a year – with the goal of realizing a fair, negotiated agreement that supports all students, educators, and families.
  • To continue making progress, it has become necessary to conduct a strike vote to demonstrate our Association’s solidarity and resolve.
  • Bargaining will continue while the strike vote is being conducted.

Catholic teachers recognize talented young authors

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 16, 2023
Poetry, Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, Writing, Moon, Garbage, Pacific Ocean, OECTA, School, Student, Kerry Young (author), Catholic Church, Script, Nursing, Tutoring, Bathroom

The Young Authors Awards/Prix jeunes écrivains acknowledge English and French writing in categories ranging from poetry and short stories, to plays and non-fiction.

Key Points: 
  • The Young Authors Awards/Prix jeunes écrivains acknowledge English and French writing in categories ranging from poetry and short stories, to plays and non-fiction.
  • “The Young Authors Awards/Prix jeunes écrivains are a celebration of the exceptional spirit and accomplishments of students and teachers in Ontario’s publicly funded Catholic schools, showcasing the high caliber of writing and critical thinking happening in our classrooms,” says OECTA President Barb Dobrowolski.
  • This year marks the 38th year in which Catholic teachers have supported and celebrated student writing and achievement through the Young Authors Awards/Prix jeunes écrivains.
  • OECTA represents the 45,000 passionate and qualified teachers in Ontario’s publicly funded English Catholic schools, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Ford Government’s Education Plans Deeply Flawed, Highlight Baffling Approach to Policymaking, Say Catholic Teachers

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 17, 2023
Learning, Education, Feedback, Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, Curriculum, Policy, Ford, Franco-Ontarians, Government, Literacy, OECTA, Student, Investment, Catholic Church, Collaboration, Social media, Legislation, Nursing, Tutoring

“Yesterday’s announcement by Education Minister Lecce and today’s proposed legislation are yet further examples of the Ford government’s flawed approach to education policymaking and its baffling, almost stubborn refusal to grasp how to support our world-class publicly funded education system and best realize student success.

Key Points: 
  • “Yesterday’s announcement by Education Minister Lecce and today’s proposed legislation are yet further examples of the Ford government’s flawed approach to education policymaking and its baffling, almost stubborn refusal to grasp how to support our world-class publicly funded education system and best realize student success.
  • Catholic teachers are disappointed that, once again, the Ford government is attempting to deceive Ontarians, by announcing big-sounding plans that – when stripped of Minister Lecce’s ‘spin’ – fall well short of what students need and deserve.
  • With yesterday’s announcement and today’s proposed legislation, it is clear that the government cannot bring itself to do the one thing that would make the biggest impact: properly invest in Ontario’s publicly funded education system.
  • It is both frustrating and insulting that Catholic teachers, and all educators, would hear about the government’s plans for the first time through social media leaks and press conferences.

Underfunded Budget Continues Ford Government Assault on Publicly Funded Education, Say Catholic Teachers

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 23, 2023
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Catholic teachers want nothing more than to do the job they love in a productive and safe learning environment.

Key Points: 
  • Catholic teachers want nothing more than to do the job they love in a productive and safe learning environment.
  • This budget continues the Ford government’s plan to underfund core education spending by $6 billion over the next five years, as projected by the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO).
  • All of this suggests that, at best, the government is indifferent to students’ academic, mental health, and well-being needs; and, at worst, that they are actively engaged in undermining publicly funded education.
  • Catholic teachers continue to hold out hope that, at some point, this government will place as much emphasis on student development as they do on building developments.

NEWLY ELECTED 2023-25 OECTA PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 13, 2023
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TORONTO, March 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- René Jansen in de Wal has been elected President of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) at OECTA’s Annual General Meeting in Toronto.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, March 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- René Jansen in de Wal has been elected President of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) at OECTA’s Annual General Meeting in Toronto.
  • René will begin his two-year term on July 1, 2023,
    René has been a member of OECTA’s Provincial Executive since 2017 and currently serves as First Vice-President of the Association.
  • A high school teacher and member of OECTA’s Toronto Secondary Unit, René has been teaching for more than 30 years.
  • In everyone there is something special, and something to learn from.”
    Joining President-elect Jansen in de Wal, OECTA’s newly elected Provincial Executive members are:
    Past President – Barb Dobrowolski, Eastern
    First Vice-President – Chris Cowley, Brant Haldimand Norfolk
    Second Vice-President – Anthony Rocchio, Sudbury Elementary
    Third Vice-President – Diana Corazza, York
    OTF Table Officer – Andrew Robertson, Dufferin-Peel Secondary

Catholic Teachers Recognize Talented Young Authors

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Kerry Young (author), Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, Twelfth grade, Poetry, Half Nelson (film), First Nations, Drinking water, Student, Writing, Catholic (term), GLOBE, Tutoring

The Young Authors Awards/Prix jeunes crivains acknowledge English and French writing in categories ranging from poetry and short stories, to plays and non-fiction.

Key Points: 
  • The Young Authors Awards/Prix jeunes crivains acknowledge English and French writing in categories ranging from poetry and short stories, to plays and non-fiction.
  • The Young Authors Awards/Prix Jeunes crivains are a celebration of the exceptional spirit and accomplishments of students and teachers in Ontarios publicly funded Catholic schools, showcasing the high caliber of writing and critical thinking happening in our classrooms, says OECTA President Barb Dobrowolski.
  • The diversity of topics, perspectives, and styles are amazing to read, and speak to the skills and values that Catholic teachers strive to nurture in our students.
  • OECTA represents the 45,000 passionate and qualified teachers in Ontarios publicly funded English Catholic schools, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Ford government’s proposed budget fails students, say Catholic teachers

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Investment, Education, Twelfth grade, GLOBE, Attention, Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, Catholic (term), COVID-19, School, Student, Achievement Medal, Safety, Ford Motor Company, Tutoring, Medicine

Instead, Premier Doug Ford chose hollow electioneering over our students well-being and academic success again.

Key Points: 
  • Instead, Premier Doug Ford chose hollow electioneering over our students well-being and academic success again.
  • Doug Ford should be doing everything in his power to make right his governments shameful failures.
  • The Ford governments heartless cuts to publicly funded education threaten student success and will widen inequalities, potentially leaving behind a generation of our most vulnerable, unless reversed immediately.
  • OECTA represents the 45,000 passionate and qualified teachers in Ontarios publicly funded English Catholic schools, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Catholic Teachers Call on the Ford Government to Reinstate Mask Mandate in Schools

Retrieved on: 
Friday, April 8, 2022
Ventilation, School, Public health, Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, Twelfth grade, Hospital, Health, Learning, Association, Safety, Travel, Catholic (term), COVID-19, GLOBE, Student, Science, Anxiety, Ford Motor Company, Tutoring, Pharmaceutical industry, Franco-Ontarian

To make our schools safe and to keep them open, Catholic teachers call on the Ford government to immediately reinstate the mask mandate in Ontarios schools.

Key Points: 
  • To make our schools safe and to keep them open, Catholic teachers call on the Ford government to immediately reinstate the mask mandate in Ontarios schools.
  • The Ford government has gone to great lengths to conceal the extent to which COVID-19 is spreading in our schools and communities, but the facts speak for themselves.
  • For the safety and well-being of our children, it is imperative that the Ford government follow the science, drop the political posturing, and immediately reinstate the masking mandate for everyone working and learning in schools.
  • OECTA represents the 45,000 passionate and qualified teachers in Ontarios publicly funded English Catholic schools, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Decision to Drop Masking Requirement in Schools After March Break Ill-timed, say Catholic Teachers

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Science, School, Politics, Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, Parent, Vaccination, Ventilation, Hospital, Ford Motor Company, GLOBE, Euclidean distance, COVID-19, Twelfth grade, Student, Travel, Tutoring

Toronto, March 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) has issued the following statement from President Barb Dobrowolski, in response to the Ford governments decision to end the masking requirement in Ontario schools on March 21:

Key Points: 
  • Toronto, March 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA) has issued the following statement from President Barb Dobrowolski, in response to the Ford governments decision to end the masking requirement in Ontario schools on March 21:
    Catholic teachers are concerned that the Ford governments decision to drop school masking requirements after March Break is ill-timed, and seemingly motivated by politics rather than science.
  • For safe, open schools, we must proceed cautiously.
  • The timing of this decision is premature and does not provide the necessary time to analyse and address COVID-19 case trends, say public health experts.
  • OECTA represents the 45,000 passionate and qualified teachers in Ontarios publicly funded English Catholic schools, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.