School resource officer and nurses recognized for life-saving efforts

At their meeting on Monday, April 21, the NSCSD superintendent and board of education honored three staff members for their heroic and life-saving actions. On the morning of April 1, Ms. Ann Marie Schlie, a food service worker at North Syracuse Junior High School arrived at work and soon realized she was experiencing a medical issue. She called for help and was immediately assisted by fellow food service staff. Brandy Parody was able to guide Ms. Schlie to the ground while manager Denise DeSantis called 911 and Ann Marie Krick ran to get the school nurses. Their quick thinking set in motion a chain of life-saving actions.

Nurses Jody Barnes and Amanda Kelly along with School Resource Officer Elizabeth Lehmann responded immediately. Nurse Barnes connected the AED, Nurse Kelly began chest compressions and Officer Lehmann administered rescue breaths. Their efforts went on until emergency medical personnel arrived and transported Ms. Schlie to the hospital. Doctors confirmed that without these heroic efforts, the outcome could have been tragically different.  At the meeting, the NSCSD staff were presented with certificates of appreciation and were enthusiastically thanked by Ann Marie's family, who had requested the opportunity to publicly thank them. Dr. Ward shared his appreciation saying, "We are honored to recognize these individuals whose training, teamwork and care made all the difference. Their immediate, thoughtful and courageous responses saved a life."