Loretta Fonso (Photo supplied: Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board)
Vice-Chair of the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board Loretta Fonso has passed away.
The board says it’s announcing her death earlier this afternoon with “heavy hearts and severe shock.”
Fonso, who also served as a Trustee, taught with the board for over 30 years and was Past President of the local secondary school unit of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association.
Board officials are sending their condolences to her family.
“A Board wide communication will follow, commemorating the life of our friend, Loretta,” a statement from the board reads.
Increased COVID-19 cases in Sudbury schools creates whole new set of anxiety for teachers
Recent COVID-19 cases in Sudbury schools has created an anxious environment for teachers, and made an already stressful school year worse. More than a dozen school communities have been affected by positive cases of the virus over the last several weeks.
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Teachers refuse to work at St. Raphael Catholic School due to carbon dioxide concerns
by Maleeha Sheikh
Last Updated Feb 23, 2021 at 8:15 pm EDT
Several teachers at St. Raphael Catholic School are officially refusing to work and some parents are keeping their kids out of in-person learning after a report found classroom air often exceeded recommended carbon dioxide levels.
Experts say there are health concerns and some teachers say they’ve been suffering symptoms for years.
“How can they learn when the air quality is not up to par?” says parent Steve Zamengo. “It’s not just the students, it’s the staff, it’s everybody in the school.”
Teachers unions are speaking out against the move of Spring Break to April.
Leanne Davidson is president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association in Kenora and is worried about the mental health of school staff and their students with the move.
“By postponing this March Break I don’t believe the government is gaining anything healthwise but they are certainly having a major impact on the mental health of everyone who works in education right now,” states Davidson.
“Our education workers and students are worn out and we’ve certainly seen a major increase in mental health issues in both of those sectors in education. And we know that what is really needed for our students and education workers is a break.”
It will be postponed until the week of April 12. Education Minister Stephen Lecce made the announcement Thursday, with the health minister and the province s top doctor. Lecce said it is an effort to try to curb the spread of COVID-19. “We appreciate the hard work of students and staff in the education sector and I want to be clear: March break is being postponed, not cancelled,” said Lecce. “To keep schools open, we must keep them free of COVID-19.” Following the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontario is postponing March Break until the week of April 12. These decisions are never easy, but we know over the holidays cases spiked.