November 9, 2022 12:04 pm
Southwestern Ontario’s largest school board has issued an urgent appeal to emergency supply personnel.
The Thames Valley Regional Education Board said on Wednesday it needed candidates who could fill 21 primary school teaching positions.
According to the committee, emergency supply personnel are those who are interested in working with students and have an educational or work background that supports them for insurance purposes in an emergency. These individuals do not have to be registered with Ontario Teachers College. But the ideal candidate should currently hold a four-year college degree or be in college in their third or fourth year, or be a masters or doctoral student, have at least six months’ experience working with children, and be able to support the needs of students with special needs And maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
Those applying for the Emergency Supply Personnel role must also be able to work on a temporary basis and for short periods of time. A criminal record check is also required before an individual can begin working as emergency supplies.
An urgent appeal to supply personnel comes a day after Middlesex London Health reported rising levels of influenza activity and other respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 across the region. There were 342 new cases of COVID-19 and 11 cases of influenza confirmed locally last week. However, the level of community transmission is believed to be much higher. Health officials have previously advised the public to wear masks in public, stay home when sick, and get a flu shot to reduce personal risk of contracting respiratory infections.
Absences are expected to worsen during the winter months as cold weather keeps social gatherings indoors.
Of the schools in need of emergency supply staff, 13 are in London, five in Oxford County and three in Elgin County.
Applications to become emergency supply personnel can be sent to the principal of each school seeking coverage.
A full list of schools seeking additional help is listed below:
London:
Ashley Oaks PS
Eagle Heights PS
Glen Kane PS
JP Robarts PS
Kensal Park FIPS
Lord Elgin PS
Lord Nelson PS
GE Cartier Sir PS
Sir Isaac Bullock PS
White Oak PS
Wilfrid Jury PS
Wilton Grove PS
Woodland Heights PS
Elgin:
Oldborough PS
Locks PS
Dunwich-Dalton PS
Oxford:
Central PS
Harrisfield PS
Laurie Hawkins PS
Springbank PS
Westfield PS