Rochester Community Schools Receive MI HEARTSafe Designation

Rochester Community Schools is pleased to announce that all 21 schools across the district have been awarded the MI HEARTSafe School designation.

“We are extremely proud of the work that went into ensuring each and every one of our schools is designated as a MI HEARTSafe School. In the event of a cardiac emergency, our teams are well prepared to care for our students, staff, and visitors,” said Superintendent Robert Shaner, Ph.D.

According to the MI HEARTSafe School program site, since 2014, a total of 369 school buildings have received the MI HEARTSafe School designation. To date, 53 buildings in Oakland County received the MI HEARTSafe School designation, with 21 of those buildings being from Rochester Community Schools.

Director of Community Relations Lori Grein, Reuther Middle School Assistant Principal Eric Williams, and Community Relations Secretary Sharon Ahearn attended a ceremony in Lansing today to accept the awards for 20 schools across the RCS District. Rochester High School received the designation in 2016.

In order for a school to receive a MI HEARTSafe School designation, it must perform at least one cardiac emergency response drill per year; have a written medical emergency response plan and team; have current CPR/AED certification of at least 10 percent of staff, 100 percent of head varsity coaches, and 50 percent of physical education staff; have accessible, properly maintained and inspected AEDs with signs identifying their location; and ensure pre-participation sports screening of all student athletes using the current physical and history form endorsed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. The MI HEARTSafe School designation is awarded for a period of three years.

MI HEARTSafe Schools receive the designation from the Michigan Departments of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Education (MDE), American Heart Association (AHA), Michigan Athletic Association (MHSAA), and Michigan Alliance for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young  (MAP-SCDY).

“Sudden cardiac death of a young person is tragic and some of these events can be prevented with fast, appropriate medical response within three to five minutes” said Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive of MDHHS. “It is always wonderful to see communities come together to help prepare school to respond to these medical emergencies.”

Public Act 12 of 2014 requires all schools, kindergarten through twelfth grade, to have a cardiac emergency response plan in place. “By earning the MIHEARTSafe School designation, RCS has taken the additional steps, above what is required, to respond in the event of a cardiac emergency,” said Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Debi Fragomeni. “We are so proud of our staff and administrators who have made earning this designation a priority.”

The RCS elementary schools are: Baldwin, Brewster, Brooklands, Delta Kelly, Hamlin, Hampton, Hugger, Long Meadow, McGregor, Meadow Brook, Musson, North Hill, and University Hills. Middle schools include: Hart, Reuther, VanHoosen, and West. High Schools include: Rochester Adams, Rochester, Stoney Creek, and the Alternative Center for Education.

Here is the list of designated schools. For more information about the MI HEARTSafe Schools program email MDHHS-MI-HEARTSafe@michigan.gov.