Fauquier County Public Schools News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2, 2015

Karen Parkinson, Coordinator of Information Phone (540) 422-7031 [email protected]

MILLER ELEMENTARY OFFICE STAFF HONORED FOR QUICK RESPONSE DURING EMERGENCY No one knows for sure how they will react in an emergency until they’re actually faced with one, but three office staff members at Miller Elementary School found out on Friday afternoon, Sept. 18, when, without warning, they had to respond to a medical emergency with a student. It all unfolded just after the school day was over. When a medically fragile youngster became ill, a parent was summoned to come and get the child. The parent arrived to pick up the ill youngster and two other siblings at the school – and with two other younger children in tow. As the school nurse assisted the parent in getting all five children to the car, she and the parent noted that the ill child felt very warm. The nurse ran back to her office for a thermometer and returning to the car found that the child’s fever was spiking over 104. The parent and nurse rushed the child back to the clinic. The principal and an instructional assistant tended to the other four children already loaded into the car. The nurse and office staff went into high gear. The child began seizing and stopped breathing. While the nurse tended to the child, office staff jumped in to call 911, help the nurse and calm the frightened parent. The school resource officer from Liberty High School and from Cedar Lee Middle School responded within two minutes and emergency medical technicians shortly after. They stabilized and transported the child. Other Miller staff members jumped in to care for the other four children in the library until a neighbor could come to get them. The Miller heroes of the hour were School Nurse Heather Smith, Office Associate II Robyn Campbell and Secretary/ Bookkeeper Chrisoula Brickey. Principal Judy Williams said of them, “This was a very frightening situation, and I believe the Grace Miller office and clinic staff acted quickly and decisively and helped save the child. I am proud of and thankful for the staff at Miller.” In a surprise visit to the school on Sept. 30, Superintendent David Jeck and School Board Chair Sheryl Wolfe greeted Smith, Campbell and Brickey with cupcakes and kudos, praising their calm demeanor and quick action during the emergency. The three women talked about how frightening the event was – with Campbell laughingly recalling how she was teased later for being good at barking orders (“Apparently I was very good at loudly telling people what to do,” she said) – and noted that the emergency resolved well thanks to “great teamwork.” Mrs. Wolfe said she is grateful that Fauquier County is one of the few divisions in Virginia that has a nurse in every school. “As this shows, it is money well spent,” she said. And in response to the actions of the Miller staff, she added, Pictured left to right are Robyn Campbell, School Board Chair Sheryl Wolfe, Chrisoula “It’s nice to know our kids are in such Brickey, Heather Smith and Dr. David Jeck. good hands.”