Substitute teacher shortage may cancel classes in francophone south

Francophone south school district is dealing with a higher than usual absence rate and a shortage of substitute teachers and may have to cancel some classes, parents and guardians were advised on Thursday.

The district will only cancel classes as a "last resort," after it has exhausted all other means at its disposal, according to the notice.

But parents and guardians are urged to check their email twice every day — in the evening and early in the morning — in case their child's class is cancelled for the day.

In the event of a same-day class closure, they will receive an email from their child's school no later than 6:30 a.m., "when possible," according to the notice.

"We know that the last few years have been difficult and that the current situation can be stressful for some parents and students. We are sincerely sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you," it said in French.

'Sad and frustrated'

Kate Doyle, whose daughter Annette, nine, attends Saint-Henri school in Moncton, is "sad and frustrated."

"Sad because it's unfortunate to hear the schools are struggling" with staffing, she said.

Although she knew many students have been out sick, she didn't realize it was such a problem with staff.

"And then frustrated because it doesn't feel like there are very many protections around us to stop everyone from being so sick."

Hand washing "can only go so far," said Doyle. She contends masking is the the "best line of defence," with respiratory viruses, "but without it being mandated, folks aren't really going to do that."

New Brunswick is facing a triple threat of respiratory viruses that has doctors concerned.

Last month, Dr. Yves Léger, acting chief medical officer of health, said the large number of children falling ill to respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and an early increase in the flu, combined with the continuing COVID-19 pandemic is "worrisome."

He said schools and workplaces would feel the impact through increased absences, and rising cases would put further strain on the health-care system. He urged people to help change the course of how the tridemic unfolds and get "back to basics," such as masking in indoor public places and staying home when sick.

Mask mandate could prevent 'getting sick on repeat'

Doyle said she realizes the provincial government might be hesitant to reintroduce protective measures, such as masking, because they may not be popular.

But students, parents, "and now obviously teachers just getting sick on repeat," she said.

It feels like her family has been "coughing for weeks." She and her partner are both sick now and Annette was sick a couple of weeks ago.

"It doesn't have to be like this," said Doyle.

"Masking is maybe the least we could do" in everyone's best interest, especially in advance of the holidays when people will be gathering," she said.

Trying to minimize impact

To reduce the risk of spreading seasonal flu, colds, COVID-19 or any other virus, the francophone south school district urges parents to keep their children home if they're not feeling well.

All schools in the district are dealing with a lack of substitute teachers because of the labour shortage, coupled with a higher than usual absence rate for this time of year, according to the notice.

The district says it's taking steps to try to respond to the situation and minimize the impact on classrooms.

"That said, we may have to close some classes if all external and internal resources are used and no one is available to replace a teacher."

The notice does not say how many teachers or substitute teachers are absent or how many more are needed.

District officials did not immediately respond to a request for an interview.

Elementary level is priority

In order to maximize resources and minimize the impact on family routines, elementary-level classes will be given priority when assigning substitute teachers, the district told parents.

"Of course, we will try to prevent the closing of high school classes as much as possible," the notice said.

If a child who usually receives specialized services cannot receive them because of the lack of substitutes, their parents will be contacted.

The district expects new substitute teachers will be available "very soon."

Its recruitment team is working "extremely hard" to expand its list of substitute teachers and to speed up the hiring process, it said.