(Paw Paw, MI) Paw Paw Early and Later Elementary recently received their Michigan HEARTSafe School designations, which are awarded to schools that have taken the appropriate steps to prepare for cardiac emergencies. Along with Paw Paw Public Schools (PPPS), 312 other schools in Michigan were invited to a ceremony in East Lansing to recognize the recipients.
To receive the MI HEARTSafe School designation, schools must have:
· A written cardiac emergency response plan and team that can respond to an emergency during school hours and after-school activities and sports.
· Current CPR/AED certification of at least 10% of staff and 50% of coaches, including 100% of head coaches and physical education staff.
· Accessible, properly maintained and inspected AEDs with signs identifying locations.
· Annual cardiac emergency response drills.
· Pre-participation sports screening of all student athletes using the current physical and history form endorsed by MHSAA.
Coordinated by PPPS Nurse Cathy Lancaster, members of the Medical Emergency Response Teams received training and practice drills regularly to prepare for medical emergencies.
The members of each school’s Medical Emergency Response Team are:
Paw Paw Early Elementary - Left to right, back row: Susan Amos, Jesey Davis, Ashley Conner, Jessie Reagan, Principal Leah Barnes, and Superintendent Jeremy Davison. Front Row: Cathy Lancaster, Jessica Farnquist, Jennifer Ayres, and Maggie Turner. (Not pictured: Jessica Jones, Pat Mayne and Flisha White.)
Paw Paw Later Elementary – Left to right, back row: Jeffrey Burch, Derek Vanderburg, Chris DePierre, Emma Kiesgen, and Rich Hiler. Front row: Nurse Cathy Lancaster, Angie Straka, Kristen Hubbell, Natalie Resseguie, Calib Shaefer, and Superintendent Jeremy Davison.