School staff members never know when they may be called into action — and that was never more realistic than at Barnum Woods Elementary School in East Meadow, where they recently came to the aid of a choking student.
The frightening incident ended with a positive outcome after staff members responded swiftly, potentially saving the student’s life.
The quick actions of Barnum Woods Principal Amanda Sagnelli, lunch monitors Donna Goldstein and Dolores Swenson and school nurse Kelly Lederer were recognized at the East Meadow Board of Education meeting at Salisbury School on Oct. 7.
Each received certificates of appreciation in helping to protect the student’s safety and well-being.
“We had what was a really unfortunate incident, but we always think that from something negative, something good could come of it,” Ken Rosner, East Meadow School District superintendent, said at the board meeting.
On a date that was unspecified, the student was eating chicken nuggets in the Barnum Woods’ lunchroom when he began choking on a nugget, according to school district officials. Goldstein and Swenson, the school’s lunch monitors, responded quickly to the choking boy and successfully dislodged the food — a critical moment that may have saved his life, officials said.
“Because of their calmness, their skills, the training kicked in, and they were able to dislodge (the food) from this young boy’s throat,” Rosner said.
Sagnelli and Lederer offered supporting roles during the incident and were highlighted for the school community’s response and overall commitment to student safety.
“Our great team kicked in with Mrs. Sagnelli and our nurse, Mrs. Lederer,” Rosner said, “and the child is safe and here to see another day. If you think for one moment that we have staff here who don’t play a vital role in what we do, you’d be mistaken. Everybody plays a role.”
The recognition highlighted the essential role of school staff members in maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment, the district shared in a press release. Through their preparedness, composure and dedication, the Barnum Woods team demonstrated how the actions of caring professionals can make a life-saving difference, the district added.
The certificates that they were awarded acknowledged their “exceptional act of heroism in saving the life of a child,” and expressed the district’s sincere appreciation for their dedication to the safety and well-being of all students.
Goldstein, a familiar face in the East Meadow community, serves as second vice president of the East Meadow Council of Parent-Teacher Associations and president of the Kiwanis Club of East Meadow.
Reached by phone, Goldstein said that when she saw the boy was in distress, she administered the Heimlich maneuver — an emergency first-aid procedure used to clear an upper-airway obstruction. Using abdominal thrusts, the Heimlich is the primary response method to address incidents of choking.
Goldstein said her Kiwanis family showed up to support her in the recognition during the Oct. 7 board meeting.
“It was one of those scary days,” she recalled of the choking incident, “but I was only happy to do it.”
With Lederer unable to attend the board meeting, Rosner spoke highly of all parties involved in saving the child’s life.
“You are true heroes,” he said.
Board meetings are live-streamed on the district’s YouTube page. To watch the recognition ceremony, visit YouTube.com/c/EMUFSDBoardOfEducation.
Additional reporting by Julia Gillego
