Once again, Peace River North teachers have been remarkably resilient during this most challenging year.  

We would like to wish you and your loved ones all the best through the holidays and throughout 2022! 

Michele and Mary

Log on to the BCTF website to read the latest news!

 

 

EMC Mortgages is pleased to offer our Mortgage Discount Program to members of the BC Teachers’ Federation!

EMC mortgages - opportunities for BCTF members

Disaster response update and supports for affected members   Greetings,   First and foremost, to the thousands of members who have been impacted by the flooding and landslides in southern BC, on behalf of the Executive Committee and BCTF members throughout the province, our hearts are with you and your families during this difficult time. Thank you for doing everything you can to continue to support your students, colleagues, and communities despite your personal hardships, challenges, and losses. In the face of these incredible challenges, you are demonstrating a remarkable commitment to your students and school communities. Please know that we appreciate you, and all that you do.   Update on BCTF’s disaster response and supports for affected members   We have been working with all the impacted locals and the province to ensure continuity of pay for all members. If you are facing barriers to working related to the ongoing crisis and experiencing any employment related issues, please contact your local office for assistance. I have spoken with government officials, and there is a commitment to work with the BCTF on any issues members are experiencing due to the disaster.   Many schools and classrooms have faced catastrophic damage as a result of the flooding. Please know that funding is available from the BCTF that can be accessed through your local office to replace damaged personal belongings and resources.   Your local office is your best resource for any questions or concerns that arise. Leadership and staff at the provincial level are working diligently to ensure your local has everything they need to support you, as well as continuing with our advocacy at the Ministry level to ensure the employer is providing adequate accommodations and support for all those who have been impacted. Lastly, I want any members in financial need to know that the BCTF Assistance Society can grant emergency financial assistance for cases such as medical emergencies, housing emergencies, local disasters, personal disaster, and family crisis. Click here for more information and to access the application form. Natural disaster/public safety information and resources With another wave of heavy rain upon us, I want to ensure all of you are aware of some key resources from the Government of BC related to flood preparation and recovery, road closures and evacuations, and other important information to help you all stay safe. The Government of BC has a detailed flood preparedness guide that provides advice and checklists to support planning for members who may be at risk of further flooding and/or alerts and evacuations. This page includes links to public safety information and resource pages for other hazards, including landslides, severe weather, and power outages. This page contains the latest updates on the state of flooding in BC, road closures, evacuee registration, and Emergency Support Services Reception Centre locations. The Government of BC regularly updates this interactive map with emergency-related information, including Evacuation Alerts & Orders and Flood Watches & Warnings. Mental health support   In addition to your contractual benefits and local Employee Family Assistance Plans there are community-based supports available. BC Mental Health Support Line, available 24 hours a day at 310-6789 (no area code) KUU-US Indigenous Crisis Line at 1-800-588-8717 (toll free, 24/7 support available) Kids Help Phone: Text CONNECT to 686868 Thank you for all your work under these difficult circumstances. Dealing with this natural disaster on top of the stressors that have come with the pandemic has been extraordinarily taxing on everyone, especially those directly impacted. I have heard stories of almost unimaginable loss and heartbreak over the past week, but I have also heard countless heartwarming stories of folks coming together to lift each other up and go above and beyond to support neighbours and communities. Please take good care of yourselves and your loved ones. Stay safe. In solidarity, Teri

 

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Stay in touch with matters of concern to teachers with the BCTF website:  https://www.bctf.ca/whats-happening/news-stories-search

 

Welcome Back!

On the road to Prespatou

We are well into the 2021-2022 school year and people are as busy as ever!  

Please remember to be well & reach out for help if needed.  The BCTF and PRNTA are able to provide support in many areas.  Go to the BCTF website (bctf.ca) or call Michele Wiebe (250-785-8881) at the PRNTA office to access help.  You also can contact Brown Crawshaw our Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAF) service provider.

Teachers are doing such amazing things with students!  Here's a couple of screen shots that hopefully make you smile:

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Wahoo!  We did it!  

Through determination, resilience and strength we have reached the end of the 2020-21 school year.  Well done teachers!

We profoundly hope that you are able to take time for yourself, to rest and recover from a most difficult school year.  

We also want to acknowledge, and congratulate, our fellow teachers who have retired this year.  We wish you all the best in the next chapters in your lives but want you to know that you will be missed.

Here's to the hazy, lazy days of summer!  See you in September when we trust will be returning to a 'near' normal life.

 Offers for BCTF members:

 Our hearts are heavy

 

 Margaret Ma Murray Elementary students and teachers remember the 215 Indigenous children found in Kamloops.

 

 

Have a Heart Day is coming up!

Celebrated annually on, or around, Valentine's Day, Have a Heart Day is a child and youth-led reconciliation campaign to help ensure First Nations children get the services they need to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud of who they are.

For ways to celebrate, please visit First Nations Family Child & Family Caring Society:  https://fncaringsociety.com/have-a-heart

There is a BCTF booklet available to view or download:  https://bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Public/AboriginalEducation/Have_A_Heart_booklet.pdf

 

The BCTF website has a wealth of resources for teachers!  Check out www.bctf.ca

Social Justice Action Groups

The BCTF’s province-wide social justice network includes seven social justice action groups. Each action group is composed of four members from the provincial Committee for Action on Social Justice (CASJ), and they are all classroom teachers.

The purpose of the action groups is to provide information, lesson ideas, and professional support for classroom teachers. Each action group creates discrete web pages covering the areas for which they are responsible.

The action groups are listed below and include links to their web pages:

• Antiracism 
  
• Disability Justice
  
• Economic Justice
  
• Environmental Justice
  
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2S+) 
  
• Peace and Global Education
  The Global Classroom lesson plans, a joint BCTF and CIDA project, containing unit plans designed for teachers, by teachers, have been updated and reposted on TeachBC.