October 2004
Thank you for establishing
your private account in the Members' Area of the Ontario College of
Teachers' web site and for your interest in receiving breaking news
and professional information from the College.
In
this Issue:
- College
Holds Presentations Across Province to Launch First Professional
Advisory
College
Hold Presentations Across Province to Launch First Professional Advisory
Federation officials,
parents, trustees, the children’s aid society and the media were among
those on hand for the successful Toronto launch of the College’s first
Professional Advisory on October 8.
The advisory – Professional Advisory on Professional Misconduct Related to Sexual
Abuse and Sexual Misconduct – highlights employer's and College
members’ responsibilities and duties with regard to sexual abuse and
sexual misconduct. In particular, it outlines new responsibilities
that stem from the Student Protection Act that came into effect
in September.
Copies of the
advisory will be sent to all members with the December issue of Professionally
Speaking/Pour parler profession. To see it now, click
here.
The advisory describes
what may constitute sexual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual relationships
in light of the Student Protection Act, the Ontario College
of Teachers Act and the College’s Professional Misconduct Regulation.
It also provides examples of situations that teachers should avoid
or consider carefully.
College Council
decided to develop the professional advisory following the publication
of the Robins Report – Protecting Our Students. The report
led to the adoption of the Student Protection Act by the Ontario
government, which came into force September 3.
"The feedback
we received following the release of the Robins Report on sexual misconduct
made it clear that the teaching profession wants clear guidelines
when it comes to inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature, and the
College Council wholeheartedly endorses that direction," said Council
Chair Larry Capstick.
To ensure broad
dissemination of the advisory and to enhance member and public understanding,
the College staff will make presentations in 15 Ontario cities to
provide a thorough briefing to regional school boards, federation
representatives, trustees, children’s aid societies, parents, and
other authorities charged with child care responsibilities.
Briefings are
scheduled to take place on: October 16, Sudbury; October 17, Sault
Ste. Marie; October 18, Timmins; October 21, Barrie; October 23, Thunder
Bay; October 24, Kenora; October 30, Kingston; October 31, Ottawa;
November 5, Toronto; November 6, Oakville; November 7, St. Catharines;
November 8, Oshawa; November 12, Windsor; November 13, London; November
14, Kitchener; and November 18, 19, 20, in Toronto.
For additional
information, please visit the College web site to read the news
release and backgrounder.
