Granville is the first district in Licking County to earn Heart Safe School accreditation, which includes Granville Elementary, Intermediate, Middle and High Schools.
The program increases awareness of sudden cardiac emergencies and creates an emergency response plan within each school. Granville Schools completed seven steps to accreditation, including automated External Defibrillator (AED) units in every building and training staff members in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) – one for every 50 students.
Parents Leigh Andolina-Priano and Somer Thagard were instrumental in bringing the Heart Safe program to Granville Schools. Middle school nurse Shelby Gaul, Michael Duncan and the entire Granville Fire Department paved the way for meeting and achieving each step of the accreditation process.
“Without the leadership of Tonya Sherburne (the district’s Director of Human Resources and Operations), Chief Jeff Hussey, all school nurses, the amazing teachers in our district and the willingness and engagement of the students while learning hands on compression CPR training, this program simply would not be possible,” Mrs. Thagard said. “This was such an amazing effort made by an entire village. And because of this cohesive effort, our community as a whole is safer and better equipped to deal with any type of emergency,” she added.
“Somer and I were so excited to receive the news!” Leigh said. “This accreditation has special meaning to us and we are so grateful to everyone who helped make this happen. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing individuals!”
Somer added her appreciation. “Leigh and I feel so privileged to have worked with some of the most caring, compassionate and driven people. Each one contributed greatly to the implementation and success of this program. We are so happy to be a part of a school district that is proactive and sets the bar so high.
“This is a day that we have talked about for a very long time,” she continued. “We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the immense amount of work and dedication you put into this accreditation. It was definitely a team effort!”
Superintendent Jeff Brown thanked everyone involved. “This is a wonderful example of when people come together around a central topic for the good of all students,” he said. “I am so appreciative of all your efforts to keep our students, staff and community safe. You should be proud of this accomplishment!”
The Heart Safe School Accreditation program was developed by the Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) Foundation and the Snider Community Heart Watch Program in Lancaster.
“We commend you for your efforts in taking this step to provide additional safety and security for your students, faculty, and visitors,” said Bob Williams of Snider Community Heart Watch. “Your leadership and willingness to improve processes at Granville Exempted Village Schools is admirable – your efforts may impact many lives.”
In congratulating the district, he continued, “The Accreditation Review Committee would like to commend you on your very detailed submission of your medical emergency drill process. The debriefing section is excellent and shows evidence of continued learning so that improvements are made in each drill.”
The community will see plaques and banners showcasing all Granville schools as Heart Safe Schools during the three-year accreditation period.