Upcoming Events
Stories and Experiences Shared: Conversations with Former Africville Residents
June 3rd @ 6 pm Guelph
You are invited to a meaningful virtual event hosted by D18 OSSTF in collaboration with the Africville Museum.
On June 3rd at 6 pm, we will be joined by former residents of Africville, who will share personal stories about their experiences and the legacy of this once-thriving African Nova Scotian community. This is a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of a significant part of Canadian history and reflect on how we can honour the past while working toward a more just future.
Please register at the Eventbrite button below. We hope you’ll join us for this powerful conversation!
OSSTF Delegation to May 27th UGDSB Board Meeting
During the 2024-2025 school year, OSSTF District 18 has been collecting signatures on a petition that asks the Upper Grand District School Board to call upon the provincial government to adequately fund and address issues in public education. Our signed Better Schools petition will be presented to the School Board Trustees at the UGDSB Board meeting on Thursday, May 27 at 7pm.
OSSTF D18 leaders Tim Mathewson (District 18 Organizing Lead) and Amy Reinders (District 18 Political Action Officer) will be speaking as a delegation in an appeal for the Trustees to write a press release as well as a letter to the provincial government addressing the three asks on the petition.
If you would like to sign the petition but haven't had the chance to yet, please email Tim Mathewson at tim.mathewson@d18.osstf.ca.
The public is welcome to attend. The Board meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. and is held at the Guelph Office, 500 Victoria Road North. View the limestream at the link below. A recording will be available.
Join us Thursday, May 29 for District 18’s Retirement Dinner with cocktails, dinner, and awards at the GrandWay Event Centre, Elora.
Exciting news: a member of the OTBU will receive the District Award of Merit! Congratulations to Susan Earl! Come be part of the event to celebrate a fellow OT!
Contact Danella at danella.smith@d18.osstf.ca for tickets.
Many thanks to Clare Richards for her support at JFR, key to finding a space for OTs as the school accommodations became tighter. Clare also provided support as a teaching colleague as well as a strong OSSTF figure.
Join us in honouring Clare at the OSSTF/FEESO Retirement Dinner (featured above) as well as this pub event on Tue June 10 at 4:30 at Wellington Brewery, 950 Woodlawn Rd West, Guelph.
Might Clare consider becoming member of the OTBU...?
Education Forum: The State of Education in Ontario
Join District 18 OSSTF & Upper Grand ETFO for an important discussion on the state of education in Ontario!
Thursday, May 22, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Centre Wellington District High School, Fergus (905 Scotland St.)
District 18 OSSTF and Upper Grand ETFO will be co-hosting this education forum, featuring four panelists:
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Aislinn Clancy, Green MPP and Education Critic
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Cheryl Lampkin, President of the OSSTF D18 ESSP/ECE
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Ramzi Abdi, an LTO teacher from Waterloo, and
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Lynda McDougall, a retired principal from UGDSB
The event will examine the state of education in Ontario including provincial underfunding, violence in schools, and the mental health of students and staff.
Coffee, tea, and snacks will be provided.
Four members will represent the OTBU as voting delegates at the District 18 AGM at the GrandWay on Thu May 15. Other members are welcome to attend for dinner at 4:30, followed by the meeting at 5:00. Please see the Apr 29 UGOTBU Newsletter for Agenda and Motions.
The District Executive Council is seeking nominations for Vice President (2 year term) and Treasurer (2 year term). Please send your nominations to erin.doupe@d18.osstf.ca by May 1, 2025. Elections will be at the District AGM on May 15.
Please see the Apr 29 UGOTBU Newsletter for Agenda, Reports, and Motions.
District 18 OSSTF Spring Socials!
Join us for free food, drinks, and great conversation with other District 18 OSSTF members in UGDSB. Trustees have been invited to attend to hear from members on the front lines in board schools. Please feel free to attend the location most convenient to you:
Fergus: Thursday, April 10th from 3:30-5:00pm at the Goofy Newfie (105 Queen St. W).
Guelph: Friday, April 25th from 3:30-5:00pm at Which Craft (91 Wyndham St. N).
Orangeville: Friday, April 25th from 3:30-5:00pm at the Taphouse (34 Mill St.). Please note that our reservation is in the upstairs area of the restaurant, which is only accessible via stairs.
D18 Blood Donation #450 Campaign
Here’s how you can get involved:
1️. Book an Appointment: Visit Canadian Blood Services to find a clinic near you.
2. Snap a selfie: send it to kathryn.kellystalker@d18.osstf.ca with your name and work site.
To thank you for your generosity, D18 OSSTF members who donate will receive a special D18 OSSTF gift!
Let’s come together as a community to support this vital cause and make a real difference. Your donation could save a life!
Brr ... It's Cold Out There!
Walk with OSSTF D18 in
Coldest Night of the Year
Feb 22, 2025
Once again, District 18 will have teams walking in multiple Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) events, taking place on Saturday Feb. 22nd. Please bring your friends and family, and join us as we walk to raise money in support of multiple worthy causes across our region.
District 18 has teams walking in the following CNOY events:
* Guelph (in support of Hope House)
* Elora (in support of Elora House)
* Orangeville (in support of the Orangeville Food Bank)
Click the link above to join or support District 18 in their walks for Coldest Night of the Year. For more information about Coldest Night of the Year, please visit www.cnoy.org and search the location you are interested in attending.
Putting Names to Faces:
Black Teaching Excellence in Guelph-Wellington-Waterloo
This exhibition highlights 12 Black educators, including a local D18 TBU member, spanning the past 100 years.
Organized by the University of Guelph’s Teaching and Learning team and the Guelph Public Library, the exhibit is open to all. Members of District 18 are especially invited to join us on Sunday, February 11th at 100 Norfolk Street, when D18 TBU will be hosting members for these featured events:
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Talk with Dr. Marsha Hinds-Myrie (Afternoon - Exact time to be determined): Learn about her project and the history of Black educators in the Guelph-Wellington area.
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Documentary Screening at 7 PM : Award-winning filmmaker Shelley Jarrett's new documentary, What We Deserve – Restorative Justice and Reparation, examines over 400 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the major roles played by European powers, including the British, Portuguese, French, and Dutch.
This event is drop-in, and you’re welcome to join any part that interests you. Feel free to bring family and friends! Refreshments will be provided, and Dr. Hinds-Myrie will be available for questions after her talk.
Tue, Oct 08District 18 Office (Room 109)Join us for our first social event of the school year!