Opening Statement



Saturday 29 October 2011

Our TSU Chalkers Pub Night!

TSU rocked the Chalkers Pub on Marlee St in Toronto's west end on Friday Oct 28 after school. Whew! Most of us can't believe October is almost over and mid term marks will soon be due. After a lot of hard work debating and approving our annual budget on Thursday night, over 70 teacher members decided it was now time to join in and kick back their heels for some well earned chicken wings and beer.


Membership Services hostess supreme Theresa Oakley once again made sure it was a TSU party to remember. TSU teachers from across the city could be found holding court after a long day at school engaged in a little lively scholarly debate, heady reviews of recent educational meetings, among other things. Beginning Teacher Chair Helena Suite rallied our new teachers near the pool tables to make sure they all knew about our next meeting on Monday at the Second Cup. She was joined by Ad Hoc Sped Chair Linda Witney who swooped by before heading off home to the countryside for the weekend . She's certainly deserves a well earned weekend rest enjoying the spectacle of the autumn leaves before her committee meets again next Wednesday to work on it's report for our TSU executive and LCBT.


Sparky Stelmacovich was back from retirement to remind us of how beer should be drunk at a pub. Dr. Don Schmid speculated on the significance of the NDP seat gains in our recent fall provincial election. Counsellor Bianka Hudak and I renewed acquaintances, while President Rene Jansen seemed quite relaxed and happy to just make the rounds chatting with our members in a much more casual setting beyond the constant grind of school and office.


1st VP Gerard Ardanaz enjoyed a leisurely game of pool, free from board and office business if only but for a short while on a Friday night. Teresa Placha could be seen enjoying some good laughs with Ms. Oakley and crew at the sign in table. Barbara Swit with a drink and pool cue in hand received numerous pats on the back for all the challenging issues she brought to the foreground at last night's budget meeting. The Mackasey + D'Addario Clans graced us with their presence and joined in some good natured banter and joking around. The new teachers once again couldn't help but be drawn by Ottavio's engaging conversation and Italian charm. Teachers from St. Marys, Fraser, McGuigan, Dante, PJ2, St. Basils, Brebeuf, McLuhan. Madonna, Percy Johnson, St. Mikes, Libermann, Brother Redmond and Don Bosco to name but a few were among the ranks of the many members who joined us  for some good old TSU merriment and mirth.


As I later headed back out to my car in the late October cold of evening, I pulled my coat tight around me, tipped my hat to the side, and enjoyed a hearty laugh with my fellow teachers. Despite the inevitable challenges of the school and union year that set in by this time of year, I knew that there is no place I'd rather be right now than teaching here in Toronto with the rest of my TSU colleagues!


Coming Next: My Budget Notes.....Please stay tuned. I look forward to sharing my own news and views about the meeting here! It was a very interesting night!


PS: Please enjoy the party photos in my slide show at top left of this site.

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