50th anniversary of Mailed under Canada Post Publications Agreement Number 40063555. ISSN 0382-408X Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 3106 Joseph Howe Drive Halifax, Nova Scotia. CANADA B3L 4L7 NOVA SCOTIA TEACHERS UNION VOLUME 50, NUMBER 3 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 More Cuts to Education Expected in 2012 When Education Minister Ramona During the class size discussion, members Jennex attended the Provincial Executive expressed concern about the new primary to meeting on October 21 she confirmed three classroom cap size which was raised this what many feared. Despite the new year from 25 to 27. They said this is resulting shipbuilding contract, the NDP in more challenges during the formative government is continuing its plan to years. They were also concerned about the balance the province’s books by 2013 removal of a cap for combined classes. even if that means more cuts to education. Some teachers in junior and senior high More than 340 teaching positions have also indicated that their class sizes were eliminated in the 2011 budget and have increased this year. out of 8 school boards, no because class when the report would be released to the the minister clearly indicated there will Jennex said class size didn’t seem to be an sizes look low,” said Jennex. partners contributing to the Study Group. be further cuts this year. issue from her perspective as the province- The minister was also questioned on They were surprised and shocked to learn “We are being very fiscally responsible wide average is under 21. the Ben Levin report, which was released that there will not be a formal response nor because we are building for our children There are also concerns about existing in May. Members are in favour of the any plan to release the findings. Members in many ways so we need an economy that curriculum and age four readiness since recommendations and would like to see urged her to reconsider, and the NSTU is strong and not a bankrupt province,” children can start school if they reach the them implemented. The minister says president has since written the minister explained Jennex. age of five by December 31. there have been more than 900 responses to reinforce that position. Jennex appeared at the meeting along “When they are involved in read-to-self to the report, and an official response was The NSTU feels that in the absence with Deputy Minister Rosalind Penfound and read-to-others, they want to be read expected in late November. The minister of clear guidelines to effective practice, and Dr. Alan Lowe, Senior Executive to so developmentally I question whether said the response would also include a wider boards, administrators and teachers will Director Public Schools. they are ready for the curriculum that is in vision for the future of education. continue to be engaged in ineffective and For more than 90 minutes, members front of them,” one member said. President Alexis Allen broached the counter-productive practice that alienates spoke to the trio about the effects of the “The students that have not gone to subject of workload and provided statistics the participants and defeats the goals of cuts already in place and about their fears preschool don’t have preschool readiness from the accreditation. that the system is nearing a breaking skills so our curriculum does not allow Stress and Strain in the Nova Scotia report which shows that Members went on to explain the point. They pointed to larger class sizes, for us to go back and teach how to hold Teachers Union teachers spend 47.1 per cent of their time difficulties with the current PLC models. more combined classes, fewer supports for pencils, how to hold your scissors, how to on non-teaching job activities such as data They said they felt the process was being struggling students, and more demands form your letters, those are not currently collection. done TO them from the top down, and on their already overburdened workload. in our curriculum but we have to get those “Teachers are telling me that they have that the professionalism and ownership Most of all they questioned how they will skills in place in order to move forward. So little time to work with students because they was being taken away. be able to meet individual student needs the primary teachers are feeling a little bit are so busy collecting data. There is so much Another topic discussed was virtual with more cuts on the way. behind because they have to start with that.” required between SIS, data collection for schools. The Minister said although there “When you are collecting numbers, In some cases, even children in Grade PLCs, for accreditation, for large-scale testing is a plan to eventually make the entire high please look at needs of individual students. one are not fully toilet-trained. analysis, and so many other requirements school curriculum available this way, there Just because a school has fewer students, it Given all that, the member directly asked that it makes it difficult to meet all the needs will always be room for teachers. doesn’t mean education costs automatically the minister if she would commit to reducing of individual students.” As the meeting wrapped up, Allen asked go down. Some students need certain the maximum primary class size to 20 and The minister said data collection is part for Jennex’s support when the NSTU adaptations. In my school our enrollment review the grade primary outcomes. of the teaching practice but did add that begins a campaign in March 2012 to Take went down but our needs doubled this Jennex says it is incumbent upon her the department may have to be clearer an MLA to School. This has been done year,” expressed one member. department to be mindful of curriculum about communicating why certain data in other Maritime provinces. Jennex says concerns like that may be and that she will definitely look into the is collected. “It needs to be an entire day,” alleviated as the department is revisiting concerns. “What I am hearing you say is we emphasized Allen. “Schools have changed the Hogg formula as it is not effective in “Would I change the caps at this time? should be getting data for the right things,” so much and we need you and your its current state. Based on the information I have from 5 responded Jennex. colleagues to understand exactly what it is The issue of Professional Learning like in today’s classroom with the diverse Communities was also discussed. Members needs and challenges.” asked when the minister would provide The minister wrapped things up with her response to the Professional Learning a promise to take everything she heard Communities Study Group report and into consideration. OCTOBER 21, 2011 Approved an amendment to Operational Filed table officers report; Procedure 4 (v) (a)(ii)(e) – NSTU Committees; Agreed to the composition of a Workload Approved amendments to Operational Holiday Hours Procedure 10 (t) & (u) – NSTU Locals; Committee under the Teachers’ Provincial Nova Scotia Teachers Union - closed at noon on December 23 Agreement; Approved a recommendation that the Finance and reopens on January 3, 2012 Appointed the Substitute Teacher Committee & Property Committee review the yearly grants given to Professional Associations; Johnson Inc. - closed at noon on December 23; closed December 27; for 2011-2012; open December 28 and 29; closed at 3:30 p.m. on December 30; Approved a recommendation to dissolve the Appointed a member to the Distance Education and reopens January 3, 2012 Committee; Learning Support Professional Association; Appointed a SAA representative to the Approved amendments to Operational Teachers with Administrative Responsibilities Procedure 5(e)(b)(i) & (ii) – Council & Other Committee; Committees; Received the Personnel Committee Report Granted six Out-of-Province Conference Grants approving an extension of the Personal Services of $475. each, with two alternates; Contract of the Executive Director of the NSTU for Received the audited financial statements of a period of 1 year to conclude July 31, 2013; the NSTU Group Insurance Trust Fund. Halifax Rep Retreat John Huntleys visit NSTU Members from the Halifax and Dartmouth Locals take a break from their rep retreat held November 4-5 at Oak Island Inn. Left to right are: Éva Batiz and Emily Miller (both from JL Ilsley); Dartmouth president Kyle Marryatt, Halifax city president Keri Butler, Tina Egan (Hawthorn Elementary) and Karen Van Buskirk (Ian Forsyth Elementary). NSLTA/AELNE Professional Development Day Six participants took part in the John Huntley Memorial Internship October 26 and 27. Through the two-day internship they learn about the programs and services their union provides for members. They are shown above with counsellor Peter Mullally. Seated: Provincial Executive member for Digby-Yarmouth, Wally Fiander, Keli Brewer from Cape Breton and Michelle Lapointe from Inverness. Standing: Halifax County’s Gertrude Jennex, Jessica Larkin of Shelburne, Mullally, Chris Weekes of Cumberland and Chris Doiron from Dartmouth. The next internship takes place in February. NSLTA members take advantage of the CTF table during the vendor display. Shown ISSN 0382-408X are Tanya MacDonald and Tasia Sfalagakos, both teachers at Ridgecliff Middle School Managing Editor: Mary Jane Webber where the conference was held; Lindsay Stone, St. FX student; Michael Johnston from Assistant Editor: Maggie McFarlane Crichton Park School and Rima Majaess a Citadel High teacher who participated in Advertising, Circulation & Layout: Sonia Matheson 2011 Project Overseas. Published eight times a year (September-June) by the Nova Scotia Teachers Union Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 3106 Joseph Howe Drive, Halifax, N.S. Professional Development Conference B3L 4L7 Phone: 902-477-5621 Fax: 902-477-3517 Toll free: 1-800-565-6788 email: [email protected] website: www.nstu.ca All materials for publication must be submitted 13 working days prior to printing date.