Teacher Shortage Parent Letter
Dear Scarlet families,
Due to a national, state, and local shortage of teachers we will be starting the school year without teachers for the following classes: Health, and one of two 7th grade Science. We are not alone in this predicament as other DMPS elementary, middle, and high schools are all faced with the same staffing issues for the coming school year.
We have been able to make some adjustments to teaching schedules to serve all 7th grade students who need Science with a certified Science teacher until a suitable Science teacher is hired, however this will lead to some increased class sizes. Health classes will be facilitated by a substitute teacher, when available, or a rotation of current Hiatt teaching staff. This class will have coursework for students to do and submit via Canvas courses on their school computers during class time and both classes will be graded as Pass/Fail courses.
Additionally, we also continue to experience a shortage of substitute teachers. If a teacher, associate, or nurse is absent, we will work with our DMPS substitute office to fill the position. In instances when there are not available substitutes, we will cover the position internally. Internal coverage has a ripple effect that may adversely impact teacher planning time and the quality of support services provided by non-teaching staff.
This is far from the ideal experience we strive to provide for our students, much like we endured during the height of the pandemic, but it is the reality we are faced with making the best of. This will take us all continuing to personify our school values of Confidence, Courage, Compassion, and Community to provide positive outcomes for our students together. It is also important for us to continue to encourage and support our teaching staff who will be taking on extra assignments and sacrificing planning/collaboration time to help cover classes while still working tirelessly to create outstanding experiences in their own classrooms for our students.
I look forward to future communications where I can share, we have filled these vacant positions with outstanding teachers to serve our students.
Your partner in education,
Joseph Green, Principal