Allison McCaffrey

December 2021

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I want to start my message, as always, by thanking each of you for the continued work you do supporting your students, your colleagues and yourself.  As Christmas fast approaches we want to wish each of you a very blessed holiday and a joyful new year. 
 
At the Local we continue to work on your behalf to advocate for fully funded public Catholic education.  Here are some of the highlights from our last CSR.

• #RedForEdAB – We see such solidarity as more and more of our colleagues wear red on Fridays and post to the Local’s social media channels using @atalocal55.  This weekly show of support reminds the government that we need manageable class sizes and teacher voices in the new draft curriculum. Join your fellow teachers by donning your red apparel on Fridays.  If you’re looking to buy a T-shirt we now have them on sale.  Go to: https://bit.ly/3lqEsxf  to place your order.
• #WEAREATA – in the last round of bargaining, ATA members wore ribbons to show unity.  This bargaining round we have secured #weareata pins.  We have already sent out over 400 pins to Local 55 members.  If you would like one to wear, please send a quick note to info@ataloc55.ab.ca and we will put one in the pony for you.
• StandForEducation.ca – This advertising campaign has been very effective to highlight to all stakeholder issues of underfunding, unmanageable class sizes and the universally unsupported draft curriculum. Show your support by signing a petition letter to your MLA by going to www.standforeducation.ca
• Calgary City Teachers’ Convention – CCTCA is still looking for hosts for a number of their sessions.  Also, registration for sessions opens on December 26, 2021 at 11:59 pm.  Go to cctca.com for more information. Reminder:  attendance at Teachers’ Convention is both a legal and professional obligation.  For more details, please visit: https://bit.ly/2ZYf7TC
• Professional Growth Funding – Do you want to attend a workshop or conference? It can be in-city, virtual, in-province or out-of-province. We have significant funds available to support and offset the costs of your tuition and conferences/workshop expenses.  Please go to our website www.atalocal55.ca to see how you can access funds to support your professional growth. 
• Standing Committees - Come join a committee of the Local!  Many of our committees (DEHR, Social Committee, TWC, Political Engagement, Professional Recognition, etc.) are all looking for members to support the great work they do.  Fill in the self-nomination form found on the Local website or click here.
• Christmas Travel – you are encouraged to be fully aware of all potential risks when it comes to travel over the holidays and understand that the guidelines are very dynamic and changing regularly.  Ensure you are up-to-date with both the Provincial COVID website and the Government of Canada travel website.  If you are concerned you might want to call SARO and ask for a duty officer, in advance of your travel, at (403) 265-2672 to discuss your responsibilities. 
• Social Committee – we know there is fun and frolic happening throughout December in your schools.  Snap a quick picture of you showing your Christmas Spirit and enter our contest using the following links.  There are prizes for both individuals(https://bit.ly/3HBYJJu) AND staff (https://bit.ly/3DzCX6F) entries. 
• CSR Highlights – Members asked if they could have a summary of the items discussed at the Council of School Representatives (CSR) meeting. You can access this document for the November 30, 2021 meeting by following this link: https://bit.ly/3dr7lVF

I encourage you to visit our website www.atalocal55.ca to see the many different activities the committees of the Local are organizing to support members.  We are always available to add to our programming so feel free to reach out (403) 265-2678.
 
In closing, my prayer for you during this advent season is for you to find opportunities for rest and rejuvenation and that you enjoy the gift of time to spend with family, friends, and those you love.


Peace and blessings,

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Allison McCaffrey
President
Calgary Catholic Teachers’ ATA Local 55

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