OSSTF DISTRICT 7 BLUEWATER
OSSTF District 7 Bluewater represents over 1,000 employees of the Bluewater District School Board in the counties of Bruce and Grey. These members are represented by five Bargaining Units and connected by District Council.
We are committed to protecting and enhancing public education. A strong public education system is necessary for a diverse, open, and prosperous society. Without highly-capable dedicated teachers and educational workers, student success would be jeopardized; without positive learning and working conditions, educational progress would be undermined.
All our efforts to protect and enhance public education are founded on the value of public education and the principles required to sustain it.
We are committed to protecting and enhancing public education. A strong public education system is necessary for a diverse, open, and prosperous society. Without highly-capable dedicated teachers and educational workers, student success would be jeopardized; without positive learning and working conditions, educational progress would be undermined.
All our efforts to protect and enhance public education are founded on the value of public education and the principles required to sustain it.
PENNY HUETTLIN RECEIVES PROVINCIAL AWARD!
Penny Huettlin of the District 7 Office Professionals and Technicians Bargaining Unit was honoured with OSSTF’s André Lécuyer Award, in recognition of exceptional contributions to the professional growth and development of fellow members over a significant period of time.
It is one of three major awards given by the Educational Services Committee to recognize the extraordinary leadership and service of the dedicated members who have contributed to improving professional growth programs and promoting educational issues.
Congratulations Penny!
Penny is pictured receiving the award from Lauren Simmons, chair of the Educational Services Committee, and OSSTF Executive Officer Colin Matthew, the provincial executive liaison to the ESC.
It is one of three major awards given by the Educational Services Committee to recognize the extraordinary leadership and service of the dedicated members who have contributed to improving professional growth programs and promoting educational issues.
Congratulations Penny!
Penny is pictured receiving the award from Lauren Simmons, chair of the Educational Services Committee, and OSSTF Executive Officer Colin Matthew, the provincial executive liaison to the ESC.
May 16: World Education Support Personnel Day
May 16 is World Education Support Personnel Day, the day to celebrate the integral roles that support staff play in our education system and to acknowledge that each and every one of them makes a difference. These individuals are the unsung heroes in our schools and education centres, supporting students, parents, teachers, administration, and management.
Every support staff member plays a part in ensuring that your child has a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for learning, and in helping to equip students with the knowledge, skills, tools, and sense of community they need to succeed.
Over the past several years, the Ontario government and school boards have cut these positions and failed to recognize the importance of these roles for supporting the education of students.
On May 16, please join OSSTF District 7 in recognizing and celebrating the important role that all support staff in Bluewater play in supporting all students’ education.
The D7 OPT Bargaining Unit consists of School Office Managers, Office Professionals, Library Clerks, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Application Support, Accounting, Payroll, Human Resources, Purchasing, Transportation, Learning Services, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), Adult and Continuing Education/Blended Learning/Summer School, Community Education, Plant Services, Health and Safety, Student Success/Program, and Research Specialists.
The D7 ESP Bargaining Unit consists of Educational Assistants (EA), Early Childhood Educators (ECE), Outdoor Education Specialists (OES), Vision & Hearing Student Supports (VSS/HSS), Behaviour Intervention Student Supports (BISS), and Child and Youth Workers (CYW).
The D7 PSSP Bargaining Unit consists of Attendance Counsellors, Behaviour Expertise Professionals, Mental Health Leads, Mental Health Workers, Psychologists, Psychometrists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Student Support Liaisons, and Specialized Equipment and Technology Assistants.
Custodians and maintenance staff in Bluewater are represented by CUPE.
#SupportStaffMatter! #WorldEducationSupportPersonnelDay
In 1999, OSSTF created Support Staff Appreciation Day to celebrate the valuable contributions of education workers and acknowledge their important roles within publicly-funded education in Ontario at all levels. Through a motion of our Provincial Executive to our Provincial Council, OSSTF made the decision to immediately end our recognition of the OSSTF Support Staff Appreciation Day and begin celebrating World Education Support Personnel (ESP) Day on May 16, 2020.
Similar to World Teachers' Day, World Education Support Personnel Day was launched in connection with Education International’s (EI) first-ever ESP Conference in 2018. This is a day to recognize the extraordinary contributions that education workers make to our schools and our union. In addition, OSSTF celebrates the work of education workers across the globe, emphasizing their roles in the delivery of high quality education, and to shine a light on the challenges that education workers face in their workplaces.
We urge you to recognize and celebrate the many and varied contributions that education workers make to Ontario’s publicly-funded schools and universities to Ontario’s students of all ages.
For more information on World Education Support Personnel Day, please visit: https://www.ei-ie.org/en/detail/15830/history-in-the-making-education-international-launches-first-worldwide-education-support-personnel-day
Every support staff member plays a part in ensuring that your child has a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for learning, and in helping to equip students with the knowledge, skills, tools, and sense of community they need to succeed.
Over the past several years, the Ontario government and school boards have cut these positions and failed to recognize the importance of these roles for supporting the education of students.
On May 16, please join OSSTF District 7 in recognizing and celebrating the important role that all support staff in Bluewater play in supporting all students’ education.
The D7 OPT Bargaining Unit consists of School Office Managers, Office Professionals, Library Clerks, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Application Support, Accounting, Payroll, Human Resources, Purchasing, Transportation, Learning Services, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), Adult and Continuing Education/Blended Learning/Summer School, Community Education, Plant Services, Health and Safety, Student Success/Program, and Research Specialists.
The D7 ESP Bargaining Unit consists of Educational Assistants (EA), Early Childhood Educators (ECE), Outdoor Education Specialists (OES), Vision & Hearing Student Supports (VSS/HSS), Behaviour Intervention Student Supports (BISS), and Child and Youth Workers (CYW).
The D7 PSSP Bargaining Unit consists of Attendance Counsellors, Behaviour Expertise Professionals, Mental Health Leads, Mental Health Workers, Psychologists, Psychometrists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Student Support Liaisons, and Specialized Equipment and Technology Assistants.
Custodians and maintenance staff in Bluewater are represented by CUPE.
#SupportStaffMatter! #WorldEducationSupportPersonnelDay
In 1999, OSSTF created Support Staff Appreciation Day to celebrate the valuable contributions of education workers and acknowledge their important roles within publicly-funded education in Ontario at all levels. Through a motion of our Provincial Executive to our Provincial Council, OSSTF made the decision to immediately end our recognition of the OSSTF Support Staff Appreciation Day and begin celebrating World Education Support Personnel (ESP) Day on May 16, 2020.
Similar to World Teachers' Day, World Education Support Personnel Day was launched in connection with Education International’s (EI) first-ever ESP Conference in 2018. This is a day to recognize the extraordinary contributions that education workers make to our schools and our union. In addition, OSSTF celebrates the work of education workers across the globe, emphasizing their roles in the delivery of high quality education, and to shine a light on the challenges that education workers face in their workplaces.
We urge you to recognize and celebrate the many and varied contributions that education workers make to Ontario’s publicly-funded schools and universities to Ontario’s students of all ages.
For more information on World Education Support Personnel Day, please visit: https://www.ei-ie.org/en/detail/15830/history-in-the-making-education-international-launches-first-worldwide-education-support-personnel-day
The 2021 District 7 AMPA Delegation wearing #RedForEd, March 2021
Top row: Brian Windross, Bonnie Cameron, Betty-Jo Raddin
Middle row: Kerrie Lynn Boys, Andrea Graham, Jessica Elphick, Penny Huettlin, Samantha Watson
Bottom row: Paula Walpole, Michelle Phillips, Gord Cale, Catherine McLeod, Krista McCormick
Top row: Brian Windross, Bonnie Cameron, Betty-Jo Raddin
Middle row: Kerrie Lynn Boys, Andrea Graham, Jessica Elphick, Penny Huettlin, Samantha Watson
Bottom row: Paula Walpole, Michelle Phillips, Gord Cale, Catherine McLeod, Krista McCormick
