Carrie Bockert of the American Heart Association told the Parkway School District Board of Education on Sept. 10 that Parkway students and families raised almost $65,000 through the national Kids Heart Challenge program and participated in hands‑only CPR and stroke‑recognition training.

Eddie Madison, Parkway’s coordinator of physical education and health, introduced Bockert and described the district’s long‑running partnership with the Association. Bockert said Parkway was one of more than 16,000 schools nationwide that participated in Kids Heart Challenge and that roughly 7,300 Parkway students and families were exposed to hands‑only CPR and stroke‑recognition material last year. She also said Parkway had 13 self‑identified heart survivors among participating families and that 13 schools in the district participated in the program.

“Your school district funded over two research studies last year,” Bockert said, noting that the American Heart Association funds cardiovascular research and local programs. She told the board Parkway received about $6,500 in US Games equipment and returned‑to‑district resources for PE and playground supplies as part of the partnership.

Bockert also reviewed public health statistics and safety guidance she said motivate the Association’s school work: cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death in the United States; the Association teaches hands‑only CPR to millions each year; and movement supports mental health and well‑being. She reviewed the FAST stroke‑recognition mnemonic (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Slurred speech, Time to call 911) and led a brief CPR‑rate quiz for the board.

Board response and context: Board members thanked Bockert and Eddie Madison for the work with students. Board members said they would encourage more schools to participate to improve the district’s standing in the Association’s internal rankings (Parkway was ranked fourth in Missouri in the Association’s metrics for the last year). Bockert said the Association is working with state partners on the Missouri cardiac emergency response law rollout and with local partners such as MEMSA and Project ADAM to support districts implementing cardiac emergency response plans.

Why it matters: The Kids Heart Challenge combines fundraising with training and in‑school instruction in CPR and stroke recognition; district staff and the Association said the work supports student health education and can directly increase the number of community members prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies.

What’s next: Bockert said she is meeting with additional schools and encouraged board members to recognize participating staff during school visits. Board members said they would promote further participation and noted the district’s upcoming tax rate hearing and future board meeting schedule.