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NWTTA advocates a proactive common sense approach

NWT Teachers' Association President David Reid advocates being proactive and taking a cautious, common sense approach in an effort to help prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus.

There is not one single solution to dealing with the H1N1 virus and its effect on schools. Continuous consultation and communication are essential to managing this issue.

To help limit the spread of H1N1, teachers along with the general public are encouraged to follow the advice of healthcare professionals: Eat healthy; Wash your hands often with soap and water; Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing; Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; and Stay home when you are ill.

H1N1 Virus and the Provisions of the Collective Agreements

At the beginning of this school year, schools would have received information regarding procedures and steps to be taken in cases where the H1N1 flu virus may affect students and school staff. Here are the relevant provisions of the Collective Agreements which could be applicable for teachers should there be cases of such flu in a school.

GNWT Collective Agreement: Article A1.02 provides for a maximum of 195 teacher days during a school year. For Administrators it could be an additional 4 to 10 days. Also, provisions are in place should the employer require a teacher to work more than their 195 days.

Article 22 stipulates the Employer is responsible for providing a safe working environment. As stated in Article 22.02 - No teacher is required to report for duty at a school when the students, as a result of health or safety hazards, have been dismissed from the school. Such days, when the school is closed, will be deemed as sessional days. In all other cases besides school closures or quarantine, Article 14 provides for paid sick leave if teachers are unable to perform their duties because of illness.

Yellowknife Catholic Schools Collective Agreement: A Letter of Understanding between the NWTTA and Yellowknife Catholic School provides for a maximum of 192 instructional days.

Article 26.01 states that the Board shall take all reasonable steps to provide for and ensure the safety and health of all employees. In addition, Article 9.06 acknowledges that sick leave credits may be used by the teacher in the case of illness to spouse or child of the teacher and the presence of the teacher is required.

Yellowknife Education District No. 1 Collective Agreement: Article 19.05 provides for employees to be eligible for sick leave from the onset of illness or disability based on the number of sick leave credits accrued or borrowed.

Click on the links below for additional information about H1N1

• Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about H1N1 (school personnel)

• H1N1 Flu Slow the Spread! - English Brochure

• H1N1 Flu Slow the Spread! - French Brochure

• Further Guidelines on Flu Care for Yourself or Others

Congratulations to Angela James, Principal of K'alemi Dene School, Ndilo for being recognized as one of Canada's Outstanding Principals in 2009.

This award recognizes the crucial role principals play in our publicly funded school system. Angela has joined the ranks of men and women who have made a measurable difference in the lives of their students and their own local communities and help ensure that Canada's young people continue to receive a quality education.

The Association is honored that the rest of Canada will now be able to appreciate what teachers and students in the Northwest Territories already know. Angela is well known for her exceptional experience, commitment and dedication to school staff, students and community Angela always acknowledges the contributions of the valuable partners in education in Ndilo.

Congratulations, Angela, on being selected as one of thirty-one outstanding principals of 2009.

The Canadian Teachers Federation (CTF) have created resources and links to information about the benefits and potential consequences of communication technologies. A must read! Links to classroom materials, articles, and a downloadable PDF brochure.

Arctic Winter Games

Canada's Outstanding Principals of the Year

Congratulations Mohammed Odeen * Deninu School, Fort Resolution

Thirty-three exceptional leaders in education from across the country have been chosen as Canada's Outstanding Principals * for 2008, Canada's Outstanding Principals program honours the extraordinary contributions of principals, who have made a measurable difference in the lives of their students and their own local communities and help ensure that Canada's young people continue to receive a quality education,

Nominations were received from every province and territory. Each candidate was scored in the categories of: characteristics of outstanding principals; evidence of partnerships with parents and community; a personal story illustrating successful change and innovation which resulted in improved student achievement as well as letters of support.

This year, the NWT Outstanding principal is Mohammed Odeen from Deninu School in Fort Resolution. Moh says the Outstanding Principal award reflects everybody at the school. He says his goal, as an educator is to prepare students for the real world. "I'm hoping that we can continue to prepare students to meet the challenges of living in a dynamic world. We're hoping to continue the work that we're doing in literacy so when students leave here, they have a better understanding of who they are, a stronger understanding of their tradition, and they can use what we've taught them in their history and tradition to make them selves successful in a changing world." As part of the program, Moh receives a paid trip to Toronto in February to meet with the 32 other Outstanding Principals.