Recognition Ceremony Held for Md. Elementary School`s Teachers, Staff for Saving Student`s Life

May 24--Harford County Public Schools officials and County Executive Barry Glassman joined Monday in recognizing faculty and staff from Abingdon Elementary School Monday for saving the life of a student who went into cardiac arrest two months ago.

"Harford County Public Schools is extremely proud of the students and staff at Abingdon Elementary School," HCPS spokesperson Jillian Lader said during the recognition ceremony that was part of the Board of Education's business meeting in Be. Air. "The staff could not have responded any better to the situation."

The incident happened March 10, when a student named Ryan, who has a heart condition, collapsed in the school gym.

According to information compiled for the ceremony by HCPS, Robert Shank, a physical education teacher, saw Ryan collapse.

Shank called for help, and school nurse Sharon Munley and Christopher Frickmann, another physical education teacher, arrived and started CPR and rescue breathing.

Shank tried to use an AED unit to revive Ryan, but the device did not register a need to shock the patient, so Frickmann and Munley continued CPR.

Ryan started breathing again, and he had a "rapid and irregular heartbeat," after two minutes, according to the report.

EMS workers arrived and determined Ryan should be airlifted to The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

Lader also recognized administrators and staff for keeping other students calm and the school operating, as well as communicating with the county's 911 center and the HCPS central office.

"All members of the Abingdon staff are commended for their efforts to ensure that students remained safe in the cafeteria and throughout the building," Lader said.

School Superintendent Barbara Canavan, school board President Nancy Reynolds, Abingdon Principal Stacey Gerringer and Glassman thanked the teachers and staff for their efforts.

Glassman spoke on behalf of the county's Department of Emergency Services and first responders.

"We train and drill to save lives every day," he told the honorees. "You are a beautiful example of how it works and how to remain calm."

Copyright 2016 - The Aegis, Bel Air, Md.