President's Message
D16 Executive and Provincial representatives were pleased to acknowledge and honour our colleagues now entering the ranks of the retired. After years of tireless planning, marking, and shepherding students through a myriad of courses and activities, approximately 40 members have decided to call it a day. The many conversations I have had with prospective retirees reveals that no moss will be growing under their feet and that they all have plans to enjoy their new found time involved in a vast array of activities. Congratulations and good luck to all of you. We were also very pleased to see that most schools were represented by Unsung Heroes recipients. This is the time of year when we acknowledge those in our profession who uphold OSSTF principles, strive to provide the best learning experience for students, and support their colleagues. Twenty- nine of your colleagues received this award at the AGM this year and we commend them for their efforts. As we enter the final month of the school year, we can be assured of one thing- everything changes. Some staff are entering their two to three year of a new exam format with exams being written in a Day 1 / Period 1 framework. Some staff are considering or entering an early start format. As usual, staffing or course changes proposed at this time of year create a degree of uncertainty and impatience. While we would all like to have a set timetable before leaving school, it does not always come together that way. We hope that administrators and staff are all working together to have some measure of stability before we head out for the holidays. It is with considerable mixed feelings that we wish our Chief Negotiator and Staffing Officer, Stephen Bloom, the very best of luck in his new role at the provincial level. There is not enough space here to list all of Stephen's accomplishments but I can say he has a PH.D in "mulling, tweaking, and tinkering" and that he has always examined each and every member cause and contract issue carefully, methodically, and fairly. He has worked to balance the needs of the collective with the needs of the individual as is the mandate of a negotiator. Having worked closely with Stephen, I can attest to the untold hours he has spent considering issues before allowing any staffing or contract memo to go out from our office. We have been well served by Stephen over the past 10 years and we wish him the best. Members across the province are fortunate to have him in their corner. Colleen | 
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