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Education is an INVESTMENT not an Expense NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION facebook.com/nlta.nl.ca/ twitter.com/NLTeachersAssoc Vol. 64/No. 5 May/June 2021 TEACHERSCHANGELIVES.CA MEMBERS,ENJOY YOUR SUMMER BREAK (THE NLTA OFFICES ARE OPEN YEAR-ROUND IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE) INSIDE Read President Ingram’s statement re: the report of the Premier’s Economic Recovery Team . 10. Up Front from the President t’s hard to believe less Steven King! But that’s another story for size and composition was an issue long Iit has been four another day. Thinking back to March 2020, I before COVID, it was crystallized during years since I wrote can’t help but marvel at how amazingly well COVID, and will absolutely need to be my first Up Front teachers handled the initial shutdown. And addressed post-COVID. article. I began that my admiration has just continued to grow In a few short months the incoming submission by stat- since that time. I am continually reminded Provincial Executive with Trent Langdon as ing: “We all have of just how resilient, hardworking, and com- President and Maureen Doyle-Gillingham dates that mark sig- mitted you are. as Vice-President will take on the task of nificant events in our The degree to which your students have leading this Association. There will no lives. The day we coped with this pandemic and still found doubt continue to be challenges, but the were born, got married, had children, or other success is directly related to the efforts of Association must always rise to meet them. life altering events and situations. One of those you – our members. I know those efforts Rising up to meet them must include con- dates for me was the day I became a teacher have caused significant strain on each and tinued advocacy for what is right for our and at the same time also became a very proud every one of you, impacting your personal members. What is right for our members member of the NLTA. Like all teachers in this health and wellbeing. In order to be good is what is right for our students. Teaching province, the moment I taught my first class I to your students, and give them what they Conditions are Learning Conditions. became a part of our Association. The journey need, it is important to ensure that you are In closing, to those members who are that eventually brought me to be your President giving yourselves what you need. When concluding your careers, let me offer my started when I taught my first class. I’m very conditions are far from ideal we all have to sincere congratulations and wish you all proud to be able to represent all of you and look at what we are able to give based on the best in whatever comes next for you. the day I was elected as your President marks current circumstances. In other words, to A career of dedicated service deserves to be another one of those significant life events.” create the learning conditions that students recognized and celebrated. This year’s cele- I find myself now looking at another sig- need, we need to start with creating the brations might be dampened, but the signifi- nificant date. That date will be July 31, 2021 teaching conditions that you need. cance of your career is not. Congratulations and it will mark the end of my time as the Over the coming weeks and months this and best wishes to you all. President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association will continue to engage with Thank you once again for affording me Teachers’ Association. The past four years both government and the school districts the honor of sitting as NLTA President. have gone by very quickly and it has been to press and advocate for what is needed. Thank you for your support over the past my pleasure to have been afforded the honor Premier Furey publicly committed to con- four years and most importantly, thank you and privilege of representing all of you. I can duct the long overdue review of the alloca- for all your efforts. I have always concluded only hope my representation and advocacy tion model for our province’s schools. This my Up Fronts by stating “until next time.” served you and your colleagues in the man- year the school counsellor allocations and This time I want to end by simply saying… ner you deserved and needed. As my presi- administrator allocations were reverted to Thank You. dency concludes, I will forever be thankful what was recommended in 2008. We need for the feedback I have received. Not only the not only a return to 2008, but we need to feedback that was in support of the directions have a system that meets 2021 needs. Class being taken, but also the feedback that ques- tioned and suggested a different approach. It is never helpful to only hear that which you like to hear – hearing what is needed is more important and helpful. That feedback was always part of the deliberations. At times it caused a change in direction, at other times a reaffirmation of the path we were on. But it was always taken into account and I am grateful for receiving it. This year was certainly not how I expect- ed my last year as President to be. If I was in charge of writing the script, it would have been a lot more Robert Munsch and a lot the bulletin 2 may/june 2021 NOTE FROM THE EDITOR he 2020-21 school year has been a challenging one for Tmany, however the way members of the NLTA have risen to meet each challenge and persevere is inspiring. As you Jennifer Tulk approach the end of the school year and are able to enjoy Editor a much needed break, a thank you to all those that have volunteered their time to be part of NLTA committees, Michelle Lamarche Special Interest Councils or at the Branch level – your work Editorial Assistant is vital and you are a voice for your colleagues throughout John Bishop, Elliott Green the year. As I finish my first year as Editor of The Bulletin, Design • Printing • Distribution I would like to thank all those that have contributed to the publication over the school year with some very informative and inspiring The Bulletin is published five times a year during the school year by the articles. And finally, a sincere thank you to the editorial team for The Bulletin Newfoundland & Labrador Teachers’ – your professionalism and talent shines through in each issue. Association, 3 Kenmount Road, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, A1B 1W1. Enjoy your summer break…see you in September! Tel: 709-726-3223; www.nlta.nl.ca Jennifer Follow us on FaceBook and Twitter @NLTeachersAssoc CONTENTS Unless otherwise indicated, materials Features used in The Bulletin may be reproduced or 22 In the Classroom broadcast without permission. Wellness on Wheels PERT Report 10 by Kellie Baker Opinions, advertisements and/or President’s Media Statement on the notices carried in this publication Report of the Premier’s Economic Speech and Hearing Month 2021 do not imply endorsement or Recovery Team 24 recommendation by the Association. Of Special Interest… Biennial General Meeting 2021 26 Advertising inquiries should be directed to: 13 PHE Virtual Conference/New Website: Michelle Lamarche, Ext. 227 Health Educators Takeaways Programs & Services [email protected] 17 by Stephen Pike A Trip Down Memory Lane – Deadlines for material are: and a Hope for the Future The Benefits of Involvement With September/October: September 7 by Darlene Johnson 27 NLTA Special Interest Councils ISSN-1189-9662 by Dale Lambe Printed on Recycled Paper 18 Executive Director’s Message A Year Like No Other by Stefanie Tuff Departments Up Front from the President 2 Living Well 20 Note from the Editor 3 Looking Forward to a News & Events 4 Summer Staycation In Memoriam 8 by Gail Carroll Bulletin Distribution Changes At its March 2021 meeting, Provincial Executive moved Membership Engagement that the NLTA will print and distribute paper copies of Committee at the beginning The Bulletin to schools and other member worksites in of the 2021-22 school year, quantities as follows: 1 per every 10 NLTA members on with results to be reported staff, or fraction thereof, up to a maximum of 5 paper to Provincial Executive prior copies per school/worksite and subject to a minimum to the 2021 Christmas break. The electronic version of of 1 paper copy per school/worksite. The Bulletin will continue to be made available to all Member feedback on this temporary change shall members. be sought by the Communications/Political Action/ the bulletin 3 may/june 2021 NEWS & EVENTS NEWSP ROV I N C I A L /N AT I O NA L /I NTERNATIONAL WATERFORD VALLEY CANADA Waterford Valley Branch NLTA Science Team NL to compete at scholarships awarded for 2020 Canada Wide Science Fair This year’s 2020 Waterford Valley Branch NLTA For the second year in a row, two virtual science Scholarships were awarded to Waterford Valley High fair competitions were held in the province, both graduate Laura Head (daughter of Loretta Head, in April 2021. The first was a competition for teacher at Hazelwood Elementary) and O’Donel High junior and senior high students outside of Eastern School graduate Hannah Dooley (daughter of Wendy Newfoundland. Dooley, teacher at Hazelwood Elementary). Grace Tuglavina, a grade Each $500 scholarship was awarded to a Grade 11 student from Lake Melville 12 graduate (graduated June 2020) who achieved School in North West River the highest academic average, as provided by the was a gold medal winner and Department of Education, and whose parent teaches in “Best of Fair” at the 2021 NL a Waterford Valley Branch school.