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"WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2000 - § Board tackles teacher shortage By Rik Davie Weekend Star The Durham District School Board will ask the province to allow more classroom instruction by non- certified teachers, a move officials hope will address a growing teacher shortage. Durham's public school board has been hiring an average of 400 new teachers a year since 1997, but diphgss are necessary in order to hire more, says an offi- cia In a report to trustees at Monday night's board meet- ing, employee relations superintendent Craig Burch said that several factors have contributed to a need for new training and hiring practices. "There is a teacher shortage province wide, and that has resulted in teachers (being able) to move from 'board to board due to the high number of positions available," Mr. Burch said in his report. The need for teachers has, according to the report, outgrown the supply of new graduates from Ontario uni- versities. As of September 2000, the Durham board had hired 227 new elementary teachers and 165 secondary teach- ers to full-time positions. Of those, 72 came from out of the province, while 47 came from outside of Canada. Meanwhile, 47 teachers were lured from neighbouring boards. Uxbridge-Brock trustee Nancy Loraine presented a motion that would ask the province for changes to the ways in which teachers are trained and hired. Included in the motion are requests for newer adver- tising methods and alternative ways in which candidates can gain teaching certificates. The motion passed unan- imously. The motion asks the province to employ a process used in the past, in which people in private sector jobs who wish to teach could effectively obtain teaching cer- tificates while on the job in the classroom. "Many persons are desirous of a career in education, but cannot financially take the time off from earning a salary to return for a teaching certificate," said Mr. Burch. "We will look at ways to accomplish this while utilizing the considerable skills these people can bring to edu- cation." Mr. Burch also noted that because teachers need only give two weeks notice before leaving a board, hir- ing of new teachers continues on an almost daily basis. Funding creates new early literacy program Extra help with basic lit- eracy skills for students is now available in Durham, thanks to a $2 million grant from the province. Durham District School Board superintendent Bev Freedman said at a meeting Monday that the program will soon be up and running. "Ministry criteria (for the grant) specified that boards are expected to focus the New resources on primary students with the greatest need," Ms Freedman said in students ready for leaning literacy skills of reading and writing at an equal level. Recent provincial testing has shown that young boys are not doing as well in the basic literacy skills as girls, and that all students could benefit from more prepara- tion in the early years. a report to trustees. Students in . Junior Kindergarten, Kindergarten and Grades 1 through 3 who are identified as needing extra help to prepare their literacy skills will be the tar- gets of the program. Initial training for the new Early Literacy Resource Teachers hired for the pro- gram is nearly complete, and parents will soon be hearing from schools if their child is a possible candi- date for the program, said Ms Freedman. Special identification testing is now in place, and parents whose children show needs in these areas will be asked for permission to have them receive extra help. 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However, 50% of diabetics risk losing their sight through Diabetic Retinopathy (bleeding in the retina), a condition which causes no pain and has no noticable e on vision until it is severe. The risk of developing retinopathy is influenced by age, sex, type of diabetes (late onset vs. juvenile), and duration of the disease. Other risk factors include high blood pressure, blood sugar maintenance, smoking and pregnancy. Diabetes affects over 17 million North Americans, but only half of them are even aware of their condition. Early detection and treatment is crucial; 90% of patients with diabetic retinopathy can be prevented from going blind, provided the om is diagnosed in time. The Canadian Diabetes Association recommends annual eye exams which include a thorough retinal assessment using eyedrops which enlarge the pupils. Without these dilating drops there is a 50% chance that ft th etect the eye doctor. Dr. Workman will be providing complimentary eye exams on Tues. November 21 for diabetics not covered by OHIP due to cutbacks. OHIP covers kids and seniors for a full eye exam annually; for patients 20-64 OHIP covers a full exam only every 24 months regardless if the patient is at isk for diabetes, glaucoma, retinal detachment or other eye diseases. In future this age group will be de-insured. Family doctors and diabetes clinics can refer patients to the eye doctor, or interested diabetics can call the office directly. Patients should choose their dociey or on quaiity care, and maintain their eye exam schedule, regardless if OHIP