Latest news with #JoeyHo
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Hot classrooms have P.E.I. teachers' union urging province to take chilling actions
Social Sharing It didn't take long for Prince Edward Island to switch from sweater weather to sweaty weather this spring. Many Island schools that have never had air conditioning became mini saunas as the high temperatures really set in with the start of June, some teachers and students say. "Some classrooms don't have fans… Even with the windows open, it just gets really hot," said Charlottetown student Joey Ho. "Sometimes I get headaches because of how hot it is." "Sometimes I get too hot and I just ask to go on walks and miss like half of the class because it's just too hot. I can't handle it in there," said Emilio Hernandez. Asking for a bathroom break, the high school student said, he will "just go on a walk and refresh myself and come back." "It gets to a point where you're sitting down and you're really uncomfortable because you're sweating," agreed Mohammad Arif. The P.E.I. Teachers' Federation has been feeling the heat too, so much so that it has come up with a multi-year plan that it wants the province to adopt to make the shoulder months of June and September more bearable. WATCH | P.E.I. schools have never needed air conditioning. That's changing, and they're sweltering: P.E.I. schools have never needed air conditioning. That's changing, and they're sweltering 29 minutes ago Duration 3:06 "As climate changes and days get hotter and hotter and more days are hotter and hotter, we need to look forward to the future and say: When is it too hot? When is the heat in the school just too much for the students and the staff to bear?" said federation president Andy Doran. Environment Canada data show temperatures in June have been above historical averages in six of the last 10 years. That's part of the reason why the union would like to see a policy in place within the next six months that sets out what will be done when classrooms and offices are too hot. In addition, it is asking the province to: Supply fans for all teachers who request them. Place at least one cooling centre in every school by 2028. Ensure all schools are climate-controlled within 10 years. Doran has vivid memories of 2021, when classes were in session while the humidex on P.E.I. reached around 40 C. "Teachers were phoning the federation looking for guidance on what to do. Kids were feeling ill. Staff were feeling ill, and that's where we got this whole idea of 'we need to get something put in place,' because there's more and more of these days every year." To illustrate the need for such a policy, the union asked teachers across the province to send in photos of thermometers in their classrooms this week. Some displayed readings as high as 31 C. MLAs invited to schools The federation also asked MLAs to visit local schools to feel the heat for themselves. "They invited me into Birchwood, so I popped in there yesterday morning and I did breakfast program there this morning," said Green MLA Karla Bernard, who was a counsellor with the Public Schools Branch before she was elected. "The difference in the temperature in one day — it was so hot in there this morning, I was sweating just from making breakfast." She said that Charlottetown intermediate school got 30 fans from the provincial government, but they haven't helped much. The Department of Education and Early Years said it has spent $125,436.73 on a total of 1,335 fans "as an interim solution" and they are currently being distributed to Island classrooms. "Teachers also have a variety of educational strategies and practices at their disposal to deliver curriculum that also balances student needs. For example, they can move to different teaching environments, add additional breaks, modify movements, etc.," the department said in an email. The Public Schools Branch told CBC News it has distributed all 1,225 of the fans it received from that tendering process.
Zawya
21-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
"HK+FR: Furniture for World Design", presented by Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Trade Association, successfully concluded at Maison&Objet Paris 2025
HONG KONG SAR & PARIS, FRANCE - Media OutReach Newswire - 21 February 2025 - The Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Trade Association (HKF&DA) proudly announces that its first time participation in the Maison&Objet interior design trade fair has successfully concluded in January 2025 in Paris, France, with the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the lead sponsor of this debut. HKF&DA's presentation, titled "HK+FR: Furniture for World Design", partnered with Hong Kong manufacturers, esteemed local design masters, and award-winning Rising Talents from Maison&Objet 2023 and 2024. Positioned within the sophisticated and ever-evolving global market of furniture and homeware design, this collaboration champions the principles of innovation and professional manufacturing excellence. It promises to transform visionary concepts into market-ready products, while celebrating the core values of Hong Kong's furniture and homeware industry: dedication & professionalism. HKF&DA invited four distinguished homegrown design masters to contribute their expertise to the presentation: Mr Joey Ho; Mr Tommy Li; Mr Walter Ma; and Mr Victor Wong. Each designer is a leader in interior design, brand design, fashion design, and cross-media design, all exemplifying the dedication and professionalism of the local industry, uplifting Hong Kong as a vibrant hub of creativity and innovation, and inspiring the next generation of designers. Esteemed award-winners of Maison&Objet's Rising Talent Awards in 2023 and 2024 were also presented in collaboration with the group of design masters. The awards are prestigious recognitions given to outstanding talents in the design and interior decoration fields, with selections carried out by a jury composed of industry experts. Participating designers include: Sébastien Cluzel and Morgane Pluchon, representing their studio CLUZEL / PLUCHON, focused on recreating everyday objects by questioning their use, their perception of space, and their mode of production. Their presentation ISOLA sofa was inspired by the beautiful landscape of Italian islands. Nelson Fossey, representing his studio Index Office, presented products that blend functionality, durability, and timeless appeal. Specially created for this exhibition, Fossey worked with the Hong Kong-based furniture company Profilia to design a lighting fixture and coffee table made from solid wood. Jenna Kaës, whose work explores mysticism in contemporary contexts, delves into the unconscious while addressing themes of love, fear, and the memorialisation of death. In her work A Cold Wave Song &Mental Coil, two bamboo silk carpets were inspired by compositional works using torn paper collages. Line and Pierron, the Paris-based design duo from the studio Line & Raphaël, specialize in furniture that harmoniously blends traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. By integrating solid walnut wood with gold-toned 3D-printed inlays, the designers achieved a unique blend of textures and materials. Felix Rasehorn and Robin Hoske are representing industrial design and research lab WINT Design Lab, dedicated to helping brands create innovative products that seamlessly integrate into everyday life. Their work O-Pendant light family is a versatile and elegant ambient lighting system inspired by experimental paper shapes and the interplay of light and shadow through reflections and folds. "HK+FR: Furniture for World Design" at Maison&Objet Paris 2025 attracted over 3,500 visitors during its five-day showcase. Attendees included professionals from the furniture and design industry, renowned designers, architects, and representatives from key institutions. The team also forged new connections with industry players and received positive feedback as well as product inquiries from potential buyers. HKF&DA will tour the exhibition to other regions. Further details will be announced in due course. Hashtag: #Maison&Objet #Furniture #Homeware #Design #HongKong #Paris The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. HKF&DA
