Connetquot
Teacher’s aide Stella Tsmis is being hailed as a hero by students, Connetquot Central School District employees and the entire Connetquot community. Tsmis, a teacher’s aide at the Helen B. Duffield Elementary School, saved the life of a second-grade student on February 1.
During lunchtime, the student began choking. Ms. Tsmis’ quickly reacted and used her knowledge of the Heimlich maneuver to save the students life. “Ms. Tsmis stepped up without hesitation and we all thank her for saving the student’s life. She is a hero,” said Principal Lisa Farrell.
Along with recognizing the heroic Tsmis, the Connetquot Central School District took the opportunity to bring awareness to situations that may call for immediate action.
Shortly after the February 1 incident, students in Ronkonkoma Middle School were educated on what occurred at the Helen B. Duffield Elementary School and given a brief training on how important response time is. They were also educated on the importance of “knowing what to do” in an emergency.
“During gym, Suffolk County Police Officers gave us a presentation on how we would help a fellow classmate if they started choking or bleeding,” said seventh grader Jaiden Cabrera-Boles. “They showed us a demonstration on a CPR doll on how to do chest compression and give breaths to someone who couldn’t breathe. They also showed us how to use an AED device and they showed us how to stop bleeding by using packaged bleeding kits that are around our school.”
Hauppauge
Less than a week later, on February 7, the Hauppauge School District’s Board of Education recognized middle school music teacher Jacob Feldman (pictured right), who had also saved a student from choking via the Heimlich Maneuver on January 19 during ninth-period band class.
Hauppauge School District Superintendent Don Murphy presented the town proclamation to Feldman.
According to Hauppauge Public Schools’ Horizons: Volume 5, Issue 23 released last Thursday, February 9, “Mr. Feldman’s student had a choking incident when opening a tube container which contained the reed of her oboe.”
“The cap became lodged in her throat. Because she was aware of the universal sign for choking, and was able to display that to her teacher, Mr. Feldman, he sprung into action and performed the Heimlich Maneuver on the student and saved her life.”
“Mr. Feldman and his quick instincts were able to save our daughter’s life that day and she was, in fact, able to come home on the bus and greet us with a smile,” Gary and Amy Carruthers wrote to the BOE and Administrators, while praising the humble hero, “FIRST”-year Hauppauge teacher.
“Responsible, passionate, dedicated teachers like Mr. Feldman, who also happen to display acts of heroism, should have longevity in Hauppauge. We hope you agree.”
The Heimlich Maneuver is a lifesaving first-aid technique in which you need no medical knowledge or training to perform. Learning the Heimlich Maneuver offers a plan of action and is also known to help everyone involved stay calm in tense, high-pressured situations.
