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Following on from the representations made to the Scottish Government referenced in the ebulletin issued earlier this week, the EIS has received a reply from the Cabinet Secretary.
Members will note that there is no concession in relation to the removal of free Lateral Flow Tests to school staff. Members are urged to object to this decision by emailing the Cabinet Secretary. More information below.
The latest Scottish Government guidance in relation to schools has been published – this is due to come into effect after the Easter break (slightly later than the originally planned phased approach). EIS guidance to school reps (and members) has been updated accordingly, particularly in relation to the ongoing need for updated risk assessments to be in place.
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The Scottish Government has announced a “Test & Protect Transition Plan” that will lead to changes to Covid testing regimes in wider society including schools. These changes are to be introduced in steps from the new summer term onwards and includes requiring schools to stop providing LFTs to teachers for asymptomatic testing. The EIS believes that this would have a detrimental impact on teacher confidence and absence rates, as schools are a high-risk environment for Covid transmission – as can be seen by the current record levels of Covid related absence.
EIS members are invited to email Cabinet Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville directly to urge her to change the Scottish Government decision on asymptomatic LFTs in schools by maintaining the current testing regime.
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Consultative Pay Ballot - Cast your Vote
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EIS Council is asking you to consider the revised pay offer from COSLA. The recommendation of Council is for members to accept this offer.
Emails containing details on how to vote have been issued to members. If you have not received your email contact ballot@eis.org.uk with your full name, EIS number and address and we will arrange for another email to be sent out to you.
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Continuing Our Play Journey from Outdoors, Indoors.
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Join us on Thursday 24th March from 4.30pm for the third in a series of events around play in Early Years environments.
The webinar will explore the possibilities of bringing outdoors learning, indoors, all in the context of professional noticing and reflexive practices.
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Hunger and Food Insecurity Briefing
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The EIS continues its anti-poverty campaigning with the launch of a new briefing on Hunger and Food Insecurity, providing vital advice for teachers on breakfast clubs, school meals and snacks.
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Stephen Stewart, EIS Pensions and Payroll Specialist, will be holding meetings via Microsoft Teams at 4pm on Tuesday 26th April 2022 and 4pm Wednesday 11th May 2022.
This is an opportunity for EIS members to raise general queries around pensions and around the McCloud Remedy.
Please email gsutton@eis.org.uk if you would like to attend. We are limiting numbers to enable time for questions to be answered and will hold more meetings if required.
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GMP (Guaranteed Minimum Pension) Adjustments
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SPPA have provided details around the GMP issue.
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EIS PACT Professional Learning
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The EIS PACT Professional Learning offer is designed to support teachers to further mitigate the impact of poverty in the classroom and the wider school.
The refreshed programme of online professional learning comprises a series of three PACT modules which are being delivered by small teams of EIS members, who have been trained as PACT trainers to share equity-related learning on school policy, ethos and practice with fellow teachers across each of the RIC areas.
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Welcome Packs for Refugees arriving from Afghanistan
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The Equality Department has updated the section on the Website on Welcome Packs for young people arriving in Scotland to include audio recordings in each language to accompany the Parents’ Guides in, Polish, Arabic, French, Pashto and Dari as well as providing an audio version in English.
All of the information packs are accessible online and available to download, in all of the aforementioned languages on our website.
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Stand up to racism and join the EIS on the 19th March in sending a powerful message of anti-racism.
To mark the UN Anti-racism Day people will assemble at Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow at 11am and march to George Square for a rally.
Transport is available for:
If you would like to organise transport from your area email: sutrscot@gmail.com.
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Close the Gap guidance for employers: Consultation for BAME women EIS members
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The EIS has been asked to contribute to a short-life expert working group with Close the Gap, who are creating guidance for employers on supporting BAME women in the workplace. To inform the EIS’s response to the draft guidance, we are seeking BAME women members who are interested in reviewing the guidance and completing a questionnaire to share their views and feedback. The Deadline for feedback is 24th March.
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EIS Action Research Grants – Applications close 29th April
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Applications are now open for the EIS Action Research Grants programme 2022-23.
EIS members can access £500 of funding to facilitate both learning and action and, in doing so, offer teaching professionals the opportunity for personal and professional development.
A list of possible topics and information on how to apply is available on the EIS website.
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Teachers who are in their first 4 years of teaching and approaching the time to complete their first professional update are invited to this year’s ‘Into Teaching: Your Professional Journey’ event, designed specifically for teachers in their early career phase.
This event will take place online on Wednesday 30th March
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EIS Dundee members have launched a campaign to prevent the removal of principal teachers and #StopFaculties in secondary schools.
Hundreds have joined the campaign already - but we need to go bigger if we want the politicians to withdraw their proposals.
Can you help raise the pressure on the council by signing and sharing our petition?
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Send My Friend to School – launch of teacher campaign pack
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Send My Friend to School has launched their new campaign for this coming calendar year.
The EIS is a member of the Send My Friend to School coalition and is supportive of their new campaign: ‘All My Friends Need Teachers'.
Find out how you can support the campaign on our website.
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EIS TUC H&S Reps Training (2 Day Courses)
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Please contact your Local Association Secretary or FELA/ULA Branch Secretary to be nominated for the H&S Rep courses. The courses will be held online.
National: 28 - 29 April
Nomination return from LA/Branch Secretary by Friday 8 April 2022
North/North East: 12 - 13 May
Nomination Return from LA/Branch Secretary by Friday 22 April 2022.
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To unsubscribe email membership@eis.org.uk with the subject line unsubscribe from member bulletin.
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