Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Staff Recognition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
North Syracuse honors staff who saved coworker, declares Teacher, Nurse, Transportation and Speech Therapist appreciation days
Summary
The North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education recognized employees who performed lifesaving care for a colleague after an April 1 cardiac arrest and unanimously approved proclamations designating appreciation days for teachers, school nurses, transportation personnel and speech therapists.
The North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education on Tuesday recognized district employees whose on-site response on April 1 helped save the life of a food service worker and unanimously approved proclamations naming appreciation days for teachers, school nurses, transportation personnel and speech therapists.
The recognition centered on the April 1 cardiac arrest of Anne Marie Shelley, a food service worker at North Syracuse Junior High School. Brandy Parady, a fellow food service worker, and manager Denise DeSantis called for help; nurses Jody Barnes and Amanda Kelly connected an automated external defibrillator and performed chest compressions while School Resource Officer Elizabeth Layman administered rescue breaths until emergency medical personnel arrived and transported Shelley to the hospital.
“Their quick thinking set in motion a chain of lifesaving actions,” Dr. Ward said during the board meeting. Steven Shelley, the victim’s son, told the board his family was deeply grateful and said, “She’s our mom … the good news is she’s coming home tomorrow on her birthday.”
Board President Michael Maurizio read a proclamation recognizing the district’s teachers, school nurses, speech-language pathologists and transportation personnel and declaring May 6, 2025, as Teacher Appreciation Day; May 7, 2025, as School Nurse Appreciation Day; May 8, 2025, as Transportation Personnel Appreciation Day; and May 9, 2025, as Speech Therapist Appreciation Day. The motion to adopt the proclamations was moved by Xavier and seconded by Paul and carried unanimously.
At the meeting the board invited the named staff to come forward for certificates and public thanks. District leaders also publicly thanked other employees who assisted during the incident and said the district will continue training and preparedness efforts for health emergencies.
The board did not adopt new policy changes as part of the recognition item; the proclamations were a formal, board-approved acknowledgement of district staff and the April 1 incident.
