SJSD implements cardiac care in schools

By: Zac Scott

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- A new Missouri law requires schools to address cardiac issues, something the St. Joseph School District is now focusing on.

Lafayette High School Nurse Jennifer Koch, who had her cardiovascular emergency response team (CERT) plan in place, was now able to put it into motion following the passage of Senate Bill 166.

"It put it into a little bit more of a fast forward to get it done a little faster," said Koch. "We were able to get it done fairly quickly since I'd already started it the year before, but we actually have an official CERT team as of this school year."

The CERT team at Lafayette is made up of seven staff members from different departments to ensure the quickest possible access to emergency services.

"Our team is multi-disciplinary, we have teachers, we have secretaries, we have counselors, nurses, administrators, lots of different positions, doing lots of different things in the event of a sudden cardiac emergency in our building," said Koch. "Our administrators are very good at contacting the authorities, contacting Downtown. Our secretaries will contact parents and contacting emergency medical services. Of course, the nurses take care of the person in trouble."

SJSD CERT teams conduct two drills a year. Koch asked Lafayette students like Kenzie O'Callaghan to participate in the drills to test CERT members' abilities and reaction time.

"I think it's essential for the staff to know exactly what they're going to do whenever they don't know what's going to happen," said O'Callaghan. "You never know when someone's just going to have an accident that is just out of the blue."

Lafayette teachers Ike Book and Jacee Winn are a part of the CERT team at Lafayette. Both said they were pleased to join the CERT team and help students beyond what they teach.

"I definitely am always wanting to help any student that I can. So just being there and making sure everything is going as planned is something that I enjoy," said Winn

"It feels good, knowing that you're there for more than just your job or a paycheck," said Book. "You're really trying to help them out. One, with teaching, but two, if something were to go down like that, in a broader sense, like, help their life."

With each school in the district needing a team certified by Project ADAM, schools like Lafayette hope any student can feel safe.