KIC Club Returns To Newtown Middle School

By the time kids reach seventh and eighth grade they begin to become more independent and experience a wide range of activities outside of the home. Sometimes they are forced to make critical decisions. Students participating in the KIC Club, Kids In Charge, have the opportunity to learn skills and information that will enable them to react with confidence in the face of an emergency when an adult is not present.

The program, under the guidance of Newtown Middle School nurses Barbara Reilly and Joyce LaForte, is designed to teach seventh and eighth grade students life-saving skills. The program will give students the ability to recognize and safely respond to an emergency situation.

KIC is held every Tuesday afternoon, from March 29 to May 3, from 2 pm until 3:15 pm in the health office at Newtown Middle School. Students will learn first aid skills, CPR, fire safety, outdoor and personal safety, and more. Students may sign up at the health office. Although it is not necessary to attend all sessions those wishing to obtain Red Cross Certification must attend the required number of sessions.

The first session, taught by NMS nurse Barbara Reilly, began with a brief film demonstrating the importance of first aid skills, followed by a discussion with the group about their reasons for wanting to enroll in the course. “I want to be a life guard at Dickinson Park,” said seventh grader Katie Pessin. Eighth grader Taylor Barry agreed, “I also want to be a life guard, and I’ve been on swim teams. I also want to travel to the Sandy Hook Firehouse to learn how to safely get out of a room filled with smoke.” Taylor Ansbra, an eighth grader responded, “I was interested to join so I would get Red Cross Certified.” Chris Pear stated, “I want to know what to do to help a family member or if there was someone choking, I would know what to do.”

In a calm, gentle manner Ms Reilly stressed that the purpose of learning first aid is to be able to provide immediate, first care given to help an injured person. The students were drilled on the three basic steps: check, call, and care. First, check out the situation to determine the type of emergency and how many individuals are involved; next call for help, a passerby, and 911; finally step in and help by providing basic first aid.

Concerned student, Danny Berk inquired, “Can I get sued for helping someone?”

Ms Reilly replied, “There is a law called the Good Samaritan Law, which means in a life threatening situation there is implied consent that an unconscious person would want help.”

As the session progressed to CPR instruction each student was given a mannequin on which to practice. Ms Reilly proceeded to give the kids a lesson in the ABCs of CPR. A is for checking the airway; B is for breathing, look, listen, and feel for breathing; and C is for circulation, check for a pulse. Next, she told the students that CPR stood for cardio pulmonary resuscitation. Ms Reilly demonstrated the proper manner for administering CPR, she moved about the room, encouraging and praising the students as well as helping them reposition themselves to perfect their technique.

Toward the end of the session Ms Reilly praised the students for working so seriously. She said, “I have found that middle school students are so receptive to helping others. This program provides the kids an opportunity to get Red Cross Certification and continue to perfect their skills. You can never start too early or never be too safe.”

For more information about the KIC Club or to register call the Newtown Middle School health office at 426-7636.