ÉSA School Council – October 23, 2023

FRANÇAIS TO FOLLOW

This information is provided to the School Council following the 13 hours of individual meetings with parents, and the evening of meetings with parents held at École Sainte-Anne in Grand’ Terre, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Thursday, October 12, 2023. This describes the progress of the initiatives and provides responses to parents’ requests regarding the recruitment of staff for the school.

1. FLOATING TEACHER – CSFP Initiative – On Wednesday, October 18th, the CSFP received preliminary approval for the hiring of a “floating” teacher for the ÉSA. The official letter from the Department of Education (MÉTNL) was received by email on Monday, October 23rd. This means that the CSFP can now proceed with the consideration of the alternative/additional hiring of an interested candidate for work at the ÉSA, even if we are waiting for the arrival of the teacher candidates.

This still requires the CSFP to find another teacher, but it allows us to have options if another candidate is immediately available. Once the expected staff is in place, this floating teacher could be used as a long-term replacement, in case of staff absenteeism, or to help students in multi-grade classes. This option is new and due to the support shown by the Department of Education (MÉTNL) to the CSFP. This will provide the CSFP with an additional way to recruit staff for the school. However, it does not reduce the complexity of the national teacher shortage. The announcement is published on our website.

1. BACHELOR’S DEGREE III – CSFP Initiative – The CSFP is exploring emergency procurement opportunities for teaching licenses classified as Bachelor’s Degree Level III that can be issued to an applicant who has not yet graduated but has at least three years of university study (equivalent to 90 credit hours). The request for approval of these licenses must come directly from the CSFP and can only be granted on the understanding that we only hire when no certified French-speaking teacher, capable of performing the function, is available. The Department of Education (MÉTNL) supports this effort.

1. RETIRED STAFF – The hiring/salary of retired staff in the interim is now complete. Delays have occurred in the processing of human resources, which have been corrected since the arrival of the CSFP’s human resources staff in August. The ÉSA currently has two retired teachers working at the school, which makes it possible to deal with the current shortage.

The CSFP asked for the help of the NLTA union to ask the province’s retired French-speaking staff to temporarily relocate to the community to alleviate the staff shortage. Despite the province’s request, no retired employees came forward. ÉCOLE SAINTE-ANNE – Recruitment update 2023

At the parents’ meeting, it was indicated that other members of the Francophone community who would be willing to accept short-term contracts at the ÉSA were known and who had not yet been hired. No applications have been recorded in our system. The CSFP is eager to explore this option and is awaiting emails or applications from interested staff in the community.

1. TEACHER UNITS – Parents made a request for information – At the parents’ meeting, it was reported that teacher units were not properly distributed to the ÉSA by the CSFP. As noted, the teaching units are determined by EDU and not by the CSFP. On March 24, 2023, the CSFP received the allocation letter for the provincial endowment, which was 47.10 units – which included 4 additional instructional units from the Federal Official Languages Instruction Programs Funding Grant (OLEP/OLEP). Following this allocation, on May 4, the CSFP requested three additional units to meet the overall provincial needs in Francophone schools. This endowment was approved in a letter from the Ministry of Education (EDU) on May 5.

This endowment was approved in a letter from the Department of Education (NDD) on May 5, which resulted in 50.10 credits being allocated to CSFP schools. This endowment was then distributed among the six provincial schools based on the number of students, grade levels, courses offered, and the special needs of the school.

The ACS received 8.5 staffing units and additional time to deliver 4 CDLI courses, for a total of 9.07 units available. While the allocations to the ACS were higher than those of most CSFP schools, delays in hiring teachers resulted in staffing needs.

1. TRANSFER BETWEEN SCHOOLS – Parents made a request for information – At the parents’ meeting, it was assumed that the CSFP could remove a staff member assigned to one school and relocate them to another school. The CSFP has been in contact with the NLTA union and the NDC school to look into the possibility of transferring a teacher. As previously stated, the process is very specific and does not allow the CSFP to require staff to be transferred from one community to another. This option was explored and a response was received on Thursday 19 October. This did not result in a solution for the ÉSA.

1. STAFF REQUESTS – Parents made a request for information – The CSFP reviewed the claim that staff members wished to remain or be transferred to the ÉSA, but that the CSFP had denied them the opportunity to teach at the school. This issue was examined and no written request or communication to the CSFP validated this information.

ÉCOLE SAINTE-ANNE – Recruitment update 2023

1. RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS – Parents have requested information on the efforts made – The CSFP is part of a provincial team (along with MÉTNL, the NLTA union and the NLESD English school board) tasked with helping to find long-term solutions to recruitment and retention issues in the province. The CSFP also participates in numerous recruitment fairs in MUN and out of the province, as well as virtual fairs with the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism in Newfoundland and Labrador. The issue remains immigration procedures that are causing delays. The CSFP is also applying for funding for the Official Languages in Education Program (OLEP) which is received from the federal government to recruit additional staff for the CSFP’s schools and head office. In July, the CSFP hired a Francophone immigration consultant to help process documents and support candidates.

The TLC has repeatedly requested that the NDEC assign a permanent Human Resources Manager and Communications and Marketing Manager to the head office to ensure ongoing support for provincial recruitment efforts. These positions are currently funded by federal grants from the Official Languages in Education Program (OLEP) that the WPC must apply for each year of the NLEP.

1. IRCC RESPONSE ON IMMIGRATION – On October 17, the CSFP received ministerial correspondence from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) following letters sent by the Chair of the CSFP’s Board of Directors to provincial and federal immigration ministers regarding time constraints related to the processing of immigration documents. The response was that IRCC was continuing its efforts to promote Francophone immigration outside of Quebec. The response indicated that this was a key priority for the coming years, aimed at fostering population growth and economic prosperity in Francophone minority communities. The Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028 will invest millions over five years to encourage Francophone immigration to Canada and proposes measures across the immigration continuum, including the adoption of a new Francophone immigration policy. This is new funding that is in addition to the cumulative and ongoing funding from previous action plans.

1. MULTI-GRADE GROUPINGS – At the parents’ meeting, it was reported that classes were being combined to create multi-grade groups due to staff shortages. This information was reviewed by looking at data from 22 days where the school had to combine classes more than usual due to the limited availability of substitutes. The periods of class grouping were verified and the data identified that, when grouping classes, the average size of supervised/assisted classes was 15 students.

ÉCOLE SAINTE-ANNE – Recruitment update 2023

It also validated two cases where multiple grade levels were observed, which required placing 24 and 27 students together to meet the needs. However, multiple multi-grade cohorts were not proven to be a common practice. Note – The Floating Teacher Initiative was requested to help solve this problem.

1. STUDENT SUPERVISION – At the parents’ meeting, it was noted that the lack of staff required additional supervision by staff. The data collected, covering 22 days, shows that staff are provided with 89.4 minutes of supervision in a 7-day rotation, except in the case of the two school administrators (principal and vice-principal) who regularly exceed this time to meet the needs of the school. This time is considered acceptable for supervision.

1. SITE VISITS – Following emails from parents, the DGÉ visited the ÉSA from October 10 to 13, followed by the Director of Educational Services, from October 18 to the present, to ensure that educational program planning, student supervision and evaluation strategies are in place. These visits were deemed satisfactory planning and support plan by the on-site staff.

1. INCENTIVES – Parents have made a request for information – The CSFP does not have additional funds for staff incentives. In addition, the CSFP cannot offer additional incentives to staff without approval from the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) and the Department of Education (MÉTNL). A pre-application was submitted and rejected for R&R funding in February 2023. The CSFP will continue to highlight the need to find additional ways to attract staff to rural and remote communities as part of its discussions with the Department of Education (MÉTNL).

ÉCOLE SAINTE-ANNE – Recruitment update 2023

English

This information is provided to the Conseil d’écoleas a follow-up to the13 hours of individualparent meetings, and eveningparent meeting held at École Sainte-Anne at la Grand’Terre, 6.30-9 pm on Thursday October 12, 2023.It outlines progress on initiatives and provides responses to parent inquiries around staff recruitment for the school.

1. FLOATING TEACHER–CSFP initiative –On Wednesday, October 18,CSFP received a preliminaryapprovalto hirea ‘floating’ teacher for ÉSA. The official letter from EDU letter was received by email on Monday, October 23.This means the CSFP can now proceed withreviewing alternate/additionalhiring forinterested candidate for ÉSAeven aswe await arrival of teaching candidates.

This still requires that CSFPlocateanother teacher, but it does allow us to have options if another candidate is immediately available. Onceawaitedstaffis in place,thisfloating teacher could be used as a long-term substitute, in case of staff absenteeism, or to help students in multi-grade classes. This option is new and due to the support shown by to CSFP by Department of Education (EDU). Itwillprovide CSFP with some and additional avenue for staffingat the school. It does not reduce the complexityaround national teacher shortages. The advert appears on our website.

2. LICENCE III – CSFP initiative – CSFP is exploring possibilities in emergency supply teaching license classified as Level III which can be issued to an applicant who has not yet completed their degree but have at least 3 years of university study (equaling 90 credits hours). The request for approval for these licenses must come directly from the CSFP and can only be given on the understanding that we are hiring only where no certified francophone teacher, capable of fulfilling the job function, is available. Department of Education (EDU) is supportive in this effort.

3. RETIRED STAFF – The hiring/processing of retired staff in the interim has now been completed. Delays occurred with HR processing which have now been corrected since the arrival of CSFP HR personnel in August. ÉSA currently has two retired teachers who work at the school which is assisting with the current shortage.

The CSFP asked for assistance by the NLTA union to request assistance of retired French speaking staff in the province to relocate temporarily to the community to assist with the staffing shortage. Despite the provincial request, no retired staff came forward.

At the parent meeting, it was indicated that there was knowledge of additional French speaking community members who would be willing to take on short term contracts at ÉSA that had not yet been hired. No application is noted in our system. CSFP is eager to explore this option and awaits email contact or applications from interested staff in the community. ÉCOLE SAINTE-ANNE – Recruitment update 2023

1. TEACHER UNITS–Parents requested information –Atthe parent meeting, it was indicated that teacher units were not being appropriately distributed to ÉSA by CSFP. As indicated, teaching units are determined by EDU and not CSFP; however, this area was reviewedfor accuracy. March 24, 2023,the CSFP was provided with the provincial staffing allocationletter,which was 47.10 FTE–this included 4 additional teaching units from the federalOfficialLanguages in Education Programs (OLEP/PLOÉ) fundinggrant. Following this allocation, on May 4th, the CSFP requested an additional 3 units to meet overall provincial needs in francophone schools. This staffing was approved in a letter by Department of Education (EDU)on May 5, resulting in 50.10 units allocated to the CSFPschools. This staffing was then distributed to the 6 provincial schools based on student numbers, grade levels, courses offered, and unique needs withinthe school.

ÉSA received 8.5 unitsallocation in staffing with additional time provided to offer 4 CDLI courses,resultingin atotal of 9.07 available units. Although the allocations provided to ÉSA were greater than mostCSFP schools; theteacher hiring delayshave resulted in staffing needs.

1. TRANSFER BETWEEN SCHOOLS–Parentsrequested information–Atthe parent meeting, it was assumed that CSFP could remove a staff member assigned toone school and relocatethem toanother school. CSFP followed up by contactingthe NLTA union and the NDC school to examine the possibility of transferring a teacher. As previously noted, the process is highlyspecific and does not permitthe CSFP to obligate personnel to transfer between communities. This option was explored,and a response was received on ThursdayOctober 19. This did not result in asolutionfor ÉSA.

1. PERSONNELREQUESTS–Parentsrequested information–CSFPexamined the claimthat there were staff members wanting to remain or transfer to ÉSA buthad been denied the ability to teach at the school by the CSFP. This area was reviewed,andthere wereno applications or written communication to validate this information.

1. RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS–Parentsrequested informationabout efforts–CSFP is part of a provincial team (with EDU, NLTA and NLESD) to assist in determininglong-term solutions to recruitment and retention issues in the province. CSFP is also involved in multiple recruitment fairs at MUN and outside of the province, as well attendingVirtual fairswith office of immigration and multiculturalism in NL. Issue remainsimmigration processes which results in delays. CSFP also applies for federal OfficialLanguages in Education Programs (OLEP/PLOÉ) fundingwhich is received from the federal government to recruit additional staffing for schools and theCSFP head office. In July, CSFP hired a francophone immigration consultant to assist with document processing and support for candidates. CSFP has made several requests to EDU to have permanent Human Resources Manager and Communications & Marketing personnel

ÉCOLE SAINTE-ANNE – Recruitment update 2023

assigned to the CSFP head officeto ensure ongoing supports to provincial recruitment efforts –these positions are currently funded through OfficialLanguages in Education Programs (OLEP/PLOÉ) grants that CSFP must requeston an annual basisthrough Department of Education (EDU).

8.IRCC IMMIGRATIONRESPONSE–October 17 the CSFP received Ministerial CorrespondencefromImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)based on the CSFPBoard Chair lettersto provincial and federal ministers of immigrationregardingtime constraints aroundimmigration document processing. The response was that the IRCC wascontinuing its efforts to promote Francophone immigration outside Quebec. The response indicated that thiswas a key priority for the coming years, aimed at fostering demographic growth and economic prosperity in Francophone minority communities.

The Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028 will investmillionsover five years to encourage Francophone immigration to Canada, and proposes measures across the entire immigration continuum, including the adoption of a new Francophone immigration policy. This will be new funding in addition to the cumulative and ongoing funding of from previous action plans.

1. MULTIPLE GRADE GROUPINGS-At the parent meeting, it was indicated that classes were beingcombined to create multiple grade groupings due to staff shortages. This information was reviewed by looking atcharted datafor 22 days when the school required pairing of classesmore than usualdue to limited substituteavailability. Times for classroom combining wereverifiedand the data identifiedthat when combining classes thatthe average class size being overseen/assisted was15 students. Itfurthervalidatedtwo occasions where multiple grade levels occurred, resulting in 24 and 27 students placed together to accommodate the need. However,itdid not support that the larger cohortswerean ongoing practice. Note -The floating teacher initiative was requested to assist in this issue.

1. STUDENT SUPERVISION-At the parent meeting, it was indicated that staff shortages requiredadditional supervision from personnel. Data collected, reviewing 22 days, demonstrates 89.4minutes of supervision per 7-dayrotation for staff except in the case of the two school administrators(Principal and Vice-Principal)who perform more thanthis time on a regular basisto meet school needs. This is considered an acceptable range for supervision.

1. ON-SITE VISITS–Following parent emails, the DGÉ spent October 10-13 at ÉSA, followed by the Director of Educational Services, from October 18to currentdayto ensureeducational programplanning, student supervision and assessment strategies are in place. This was viewed as satisfactory during stafftime on site.

ÉCOLE SAINTE-ANNE – Recruitment update 2023

1. INCENTIVES–Parentsrequested information –CSFPis not provided with additional funding for incentives for staff. Additionally, CSFP cannot offer additional incentives to staff without the approval of the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) and Department of Education (EDU). A priorrequest was provided and rejected to the R&R funding in February 2023. CSFP will continue to highlight the need for additional means of attracting staff to rural and remote communities in its talks with Department of Education (EDU).