Author: Ian

ISSUE #8 VOLUME 29— June, 2023

Alberta Teachers Association Local #3 Newsletter

Up the

Creek

A.R.A. Report - Highlights from Report by Rod Phillips, ARA Chair

Six delegated were in attendance for the 2023 Annual Representative Assembly over the May long weekend. They were:
1. Mike Doll (Local President)
2. Rod Phillips (Local past President and ARA Chair)
3. Janel Winslow-Sherwin (Vice President)
4. Ian McLaren (elected representative of the Local)
5. Lindsay Nicks (elected representative of the Local)
6. Cheryl Priddell (Alternate attending with Observer status)
Some highlights from this years A.R.A. included:
There was no Government Representative – No representative was in attendance due to the upcoming provincial election.
President’s Address – Jason Schilling’s address was one of a hopeful change to education and his prime focus was for us to drive the narrative on education instead of having it pushed on us.
Annual Address of ATA – Denis Theobold’s address also talked about us being the driver of the narrative regarding education and that the ATA has done its work in a righteous and reflective manner when dealing with issues. He alluded to Bills 15 and 32 and reiterated the purpose of the Defense and Advocacy Fund (reaction to Bill 32) and noted the improvements to the ATA website, although it is still a work in progress.
Resolutions – 243 resolutions came up for debate. Of these, 225 resolutions were contained in two blocks (one of 146 resolutions and the other 79 resolutions) which helped deal with them quickly and efficiently. There were also 18 emergent resolutions which came to the floor during the ARA. All but three resolutions were dealt with by the assembly over the course of the three days.
ATRF – The pension plan once again had a very good year. Due to the very good results, teacher contributions will remain the same, starting on September 1st , 2023. Unless something terribly unforeseen occurs, the projection for the full payment of the pension liability will occur in 2027. Currently the valuation of the pension program is over $23B and the Funded Ratio is at 99% with a current deficiency of approx. $215M. Current challenges to the fund include: members living longer and thus claiming pensions for a lengthier period of time; inflation; and a volatility in the market. The ATRF will be embarking on a policy of responsible investment with a focus on climate change and the principle to be in place by June 2024.
Some interesting statistics regarding ATRF members:
Current oldest pensioner receiving payments is 104 years old (has collected for 40 years)
Average retired member’s age 72.8 years
New retired members’ average age 60.0 years
Members over the age of 95 300
Members 100 years of age or older 51
Total members and survivors accessing the plan 80,000+ members
Educational Trust Fund – Wolf Creek donated $500.00 to the Education Trust Fund. This amount had been set by policy at a previous Annual General Meeting
ATA Finances: we were told that the Association is in a positive position and is being run effectively.
Membership Fees – There will be no increase in Association fees. This will mean that the rate will remain at $1347.00/year with the Associate membership fee being set at $202.50.
Committee Reflection:
Over the past year, the committee has continued to do its business as effectively as possible. All members were diligent in their duties and voted on the resolutions in a wise and judicious manner. Overall, it was a very positive ARA with a diverse nature of issues being addressed. Several resolutions were very lengthy in nature for the Sunday evening and Monday morning sessions, but they were eventually dealt with. These dealt with a variety of issues including the recognition and urging of school boards to pay sub costs for teachers who volunteered to fight the forest fires in a number of areas in Alberta.
There was also a great deal of discussion about DEHR and marginalized groups which will lead to a Study and Report by PEC. Other notable issues involved the Association’s actions, especially negotiating, for teachers of charter and private schools.

What’s the Deal with PRIDE? -Opinion by ATA Local #3 Executive

Teachers are busy. It feels like there is always curriculum left over at the end of the year. We already recognize so many groups through special events such as Orange Shirt Day, Land Acknowledgements, Crazy Sock Day (for kids with Downs Syndrome), Autism Awareness Day, Student Recognition for academic achievement and other exceptional abilities, Terry Fox Runs for Cancer Research, Jump Rope for Heart, and so many more. Now, June is PRIDE month and here we are recognizing another minority group. When will it be enough?
We don’t believe we are there just yet.
An Alberta MLA candidate was just elected with almost 70% of the popular vote in her riding: An MLA candidate from right here in Central Alberta, who was recorded comparing transgender young people in our schools to feces in cookie dough. The analogy being that even just a tiny bit will ‘spoil’ the whole batch.
So again, not yet.
A school right here in Wolf Creek Public Schools held a Rainbow Day, where children were encouraged to come dressed in rainbow colours and a small bulletin board display was made with a rainbow theme. No speeches were given, no discussions about sexuality, gender or any other LGBTQ2S+ topics were planned or done and the focus was purely on a celebration of diversity of all kinds in that school. Yet, over half of the parents chose to keep their children at home, rather than ‘expose’ their kids to such ideas, because a connection was made to PRIDE Month.
Evidently, not yet.
In our opinion, accepting members of the LGBTQ2S+ community isn’t a matter of opinion. As far as we are concerned, it is not a matter that is up for debate. To begin with, it is a clear directive from our Provincial Government (Safe and Caring Schools-Best Practices), our School Board (WCPS Admin Procedure 176) and our own Professional Association.
More importantly, we firmly believe it is quite literally a way we can save kids lives. Gay youth are 3.4 times as likely to attempt suicide than the rest of the population. Not because they are gay but because of how they are treated just for being gay. These children are often rejected by their families and even kicked out of their homes. Those terrifying numbers can be dramatically reduced or eliminated if those kids are in a safe and supportive environment. We need them to feel safe and accepted in our schools.
We don’t show acceptance and celebration of diversity through silence or mere tolerance. Celebration of diversity requires action. If your school is making an effort to actively recognize and celebrate PRIDE month, then congratulations for being a safe place for these students. If not, then why not? Parent and community push-back isn’t enough of a reason. Feeling uncomfortable isn’t enough of a reason. Knowing that our personal and professional relationships may suffer because we have taken this stance in a very public way, isn’t enough of a reason.
Honestly, we can’t think of a reason that trumps the safety and well-being of some of our most at-risk students.
We believe that teachers are welcome to their own personal or religious beliefs. That being said, every teacher reading this does not work in a personal or religious school. Every teacher reading this newsletter has chosen to work in a Public School. And unlike being queer, that is a choice.

Up the Creek is published up to nine times per school year. Your contributions and feedback are always welcome.
Website: local3.wolfcreek.ab.ca
Twitter: atalocal3
Ian McLaren, Communications Officer,
Wolf Creek Local #3

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