Two Royal Oak Schools Awarded For Being HEARTSafe

Two Royal Oak Schools Awarded For Being HEARTSafe
Posted on 10/28/2021

Two Royal Oak Schools schools have been awarded a MI HEARTSafe designation once again!

We are proud at Royal Oak Schools that Keller Elementary and Royal Oak High School have achieved this honor.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Michigan Department of Education (MDE), American Heart Association, Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) and Michigan Alliance for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young (MAP-SCDY) held a virtual ceremony to celebrate over 160 schools receiving the MI HEARTSafe designation on October 28, 2021.

"With schools returning to in-person instruction, preparation for cardiac emergencies has never been more important," MDHHS stated in a press release.

"Sudden cardiac death claims the lives of more than 250 Michigan children and young adults every year," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. "Having schools prepared for cardiac emergencies can help decrease the number of these tragedies and prepare school employees to have the training necessary to respond in a timely manner and avert what could be a life-threatening situation."

To receive a MI HEARTSafe School designation, schools must have:

  • A written medical emergency response plan and team that can respond to an emergency during school hours and after-school activities and sports.
  • Current CPR/AED certification of at least 10 percent of staff and 50 percent of coaches, including 100 percent of head varsity coaches and physical education staff.
  • Accessible, properly maintained, and inspected AEDs with signs identifying locations.
  • Annual cardiac emergency response drills.
  • Pre-participation sports screening of all student-athletes using the current physical and history form endorsed by MHSAA.

"We are proud to support Michigan's HEARTSafe schools," said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. "Ensuring schools are prepared for sudden cardiac emergencies through planning, training and life-saving AEDs is an important part of having safer learning environments for students, staff and the community."

For a full list of schools click here.

Resources to help meet the criteria are available on the MI HEARTSafe School website. MAP-SCDY will also be hosting a virtual workshop in January to educate schools on how to become a MI HEARTSafe School.