Continued staffing shortages threaten to move more kids to online learning

The ability of Alberta schools to keep their doors open to in-person learning is at risk due to increasing teacher and staff absences.

On Wednesday, The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) reported 1,289 absences, including 783 teaching positions and 506 support roles.

The CBE was able to fill 548 teaching positions and 394 support roles by calling in substitute teachers and moving administrators into classrooms.

So far this week, three schools have transitioned a total of seven classes to online learning for a one-week period.

“We continue to ask for your patience as we make daily adjustments. We may be required to move your child to at-home learning on short notice,” Christopher Usih, CBE Chief Superintendent, said in a release issued to parents on Wednesday.

A COVID-19 update has been emailed to all CBE families with information on updated guidance and measures the CBE is taking, as well as reminders of health measures in place in schools and workplaces https://t.co/F8ssELP5S3#yycbe #WeAreCBE pic.twitter.com/QleBc6JeqT

— Calgary Board of Education (@yyCBEdu) January 12, 2022

Meanwhile, The Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) has transitioned two classes online.

As of Wednesday, the CCSD had 102 employees on public health leave. The school district was able to fill 79 per cent of positions with external guest staff, while the remaining positions were covered internally.

“Our Human Resources team is working hard to hire additional guest teachers to assist during this time,” said spokeswoman Felicia Zuniga in an email statement to CityNews.

The CCSD has 95 schools out of 117 schools reporting a 10 per cent or greater student absentee threshold. The district says it’s using a 25 per cent classroom absenteeism rate to initiate a transition to online learning for ten calendar days.

“Parents/guardians should be prepared with a back-up plan in the event that their child’s class is impacted,” Zuniga added.

Jason Schilling, President of the Alberta Teachers’ Association says the increase in staff illnesses creates stress beyond what teachers and staff are used to.

“You have principals and other administrators covering classes when they have a huge amount of work to do themselves during the day,” Schilling said.

“We are also hearing reports of classes being doubled up, and when you’re dealing with a variant that has a high transmissibility as this one that’s problematic because now all of sudden you have a class that went from 25 to 50. How do you social distance with a class that large?”

Only three days into the winter semester for students across Alberta and COVID-19 once again threatens a transition to online learning. As @JazzVickaryous reports. #yyc pic.twitter.com/ED9G3u7EvK

— CityNews Calgary (@citynewscalgary) January 13, 2022

The thought of transitioning back to online learning has some parents worried about how they can make it work and the long-term impact on their children’s mental health.

“With my youngest now starting kindergarten this year, I don’t know how any of us would be able to help support him going online if that’s what would happen,” said Jodi Rodocker, a parent of three children.

“What’s the bigger picture here? What is the long-term potential damage that could be done by having kids stay home and doing online school vs. them going and building friendships and relationships with peers and teachers?”

Staff shortages are expected to increase in the coming weeks as Omicron cases continue to rise. Alberta currently has 61,229 active infections and a positivity rate of 38 per cent.