HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) — A teacher in the Howard Suamico School District has died of COVID-19.
Heidi Hussli, a German Teacher at Bay Port High School, passed away Thursday morning following a brief hospitalization.
School district officials confirmed the news in an email sent out to parents Thursday afternoon, calling the news “heart wrenching”.
Friday meetings at the school have been cancelled. Students will not attend classes, either in person or online, next Monday and Tuesday. Counselors will be available by appointment for students and staff on Friday.
The full letter is available below:
Dear HSSD Families and Staff:
The purpose of this communication is to inform you of sad news involving one of our staff members. We are deeply saddened to share with you that this morning at 10:30 a.m. we were notified that Heidi Hussli, a teacher at Bay Port High School, passed away today following a brief hospitalization related to
COVID-19.
Heidi’s family gave us permission to share the following message:
“Our family is grateful for the support of Heidi’s friends and colleagues at school. We are devastated by her loss and we respectfully request privacy as we grieve and reflect. We are deeply grateful to the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for their professionalism and care. Heidi is at peace now.”
This news is heart-wrenching to all of us who have known Heidi. Her positivity and passion for her students and her craft left a lasting mark on our school community.
Building Crisis Teams convened today to support students and staff in the days to come. Additionally, here is a resource for communicating with your children about grief and loss.
Regarding our schedule at Bay Port High School, Friday, September 18 PIRATE Time Plus meetings are cancelled. We will support students and staff with availability of counselors on site Friday, call 920-662-7325 to schedule an appointment.
Additionally, Bay Port High School will pause our learning plan Monday and Tuesday next week, September 21-22, to support the well-being of our staff and students. Students and teachers will not participate in online or in-person learning activities on these days, but school will be open for students and staff who desire support. Counseling will also be available over the phone or online by appointment. We will continue to evaluate our protocols supporting the physical safety of our students and staff related to current COVID-19 cases and quarantine numbers at Bay Port. We will return to the current schedule at Bay Port Wednesday, September 23.
Our other schools will proceed according to their current schedules.Please keep Heidi’s family in your thoughts and prayers as we join together to support one another and her family during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Damian LaCroix
Superintendent
Mike Frieder
Principal
Bay Port High School
