Grief support for Cornwall school in wake of teacher’s death

The Franco-Ontarian and Canadian flags fly at half staff outside Marie-Tanguay elementary school in Cornwall, Ont. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. A third grade teacher at the school, 27-year-old Adriana Chretien-Lewis, died in a collision on Highway 138, north of the city. Grief counsellors are available for students and staff. (Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston)

CORNWALL – Grief counsellors are being made available to students, staff and families at a French Catholic elementary school in Cornwall after the death of one of their teachers.

Adriana Chretien-Lewis – a third grade teacher at Marie-Tanguay school – died Monday in a head-on crash on Highway 138, north of Cornwall.

Flags were at half staff Tuesday outside the school at 1500 Holy Cross Boulevard.

In a letter to parents and staff, shared with Cornwall Newswatch, Principal Celine Castonguay says the school community and the school board offer their sincere condolences to the family and loved ones.

The French Catholic school board (CSDCEO) has deployed a team to offer help and psychological support to students and staff.

Castonguay also encourages parents to have an open discussion with their children about their concerns.

For family support, the board is offering the following resources:

Chretien-Lewis from Embrun was 27 years old.