Andrew Martins, Managing Editor
Two staff members at Sunnymead Elementary School were honored during the latest Hillsborough Township Board of Education meeting for their actions during an incident last month that saved a student’s life.
Academic Skills Instructor Kitty Ward and school nurse Susanne Yurcisin were presented with certificates of appreciation from the school board on Monday for springing into action while a third grader was choking.
According to Superintendent Dr. Jorden Schiff, the incident took place during the morning snack on the morning of November 15. As the students were eating, one began choking on their food. Having received training on what to do when such a situation arose, Schiff said Ward went to the child and began performing the Heimlich Maneuver.
It was at that time that Yurcisin was across the hallway when she heard a commotion coming from the classroom, as children became increasingly worried for the well-being of their fellow classmate.
Schiff said the nurse rushed to the student’s aid and continued performing the Heimlich Maneuver, ultimately resulting in the food getting dislodged from the student’s throat.
The superintendent said the two women were able to save the child’s life and that the pupil is doing well as a result.
“We are all aware of the fantastic teaching that goes on in our classrooms everyday, but many of us overlook the additional care that our staff so often provides to our students,” he said. “Thanks to [their] quick actions…the student’s life that was saved on November 15th and on behalf of the board of education and district administration, I want to express my deepest gratitude to these amazing educators and school nurse.”
As the two women received their certificates, the packed crowd at the Auten Road Intermediate School cafetorium gave them a standing ovation.
Lorraine Borek, the district’s nursing supervisor, said the child’s life was not only saved by the actions of Ward and Yurcisin, but also by the district’s effort to ensure all personnel are trained with such situations in mind.
“Having a positive outcome in an emergency takes knowledge, skill and importantly, planning. All of our school nurses use their leadership skills and knowledge to educate and prepare staff for sudden health emergencies,” she said. “I want to emphasize that the district has made an investment by ensuring that we have highly qualified school nurses that support the health and safety of all of our students.”
Dr. Tammy Jenkins, the principal at Sunnymead Elementary School, said the district was “so fortunate to have such professionals” in its halls.
Jenkins also thanked the efforts of other staff members who came to the classroom to help, including staff counselors to help calm the other students.
“It’s just so nice to see teamwork happening and as Mrs. Borek said, the work that the district has done in making sure that everyone is properly trained and prepared for emergencies, so while we’re taking care of our children academically, we’re also taking care of them physically,” Jenkins said. “I’m just so excited that we had a positive outcome in a potentially scary situation…we are very fortunate.”
