Blue Springs board recognizes lifesaving staff member, names employee and student of the month

At its January meeting the BLUE SPRINGS R-IV Board of Education honored a staff member for a lifesaving action and recognized the district’s January employee and student of the month.

Chapel Lakes Elementary principal Dr. Liz White recounted an incident on Dec. 12 in which coach Kyle McLaughlin performed the Heimlich maneuver on a fourth-grader who was choking on a cherry tomato. Dr. White said McLaughlin asked the student, “Are you choking?” and, when the student nodded and began to discolor, McLaughlin performed the Heimlich and the object was expelled. The board presented McLaughlin with the district’s lifesaving award.

The board also named Lauren Carpenter, A+ coordinator and academic interventionist at Blue Springs High School, as January employee of the month. Carpenter has worked in the district 19 years and, in remarks read by the superintendent, was credited with helping secure “well over 1,000 A+ scholarships or $10,000,000” for students and coordinating Wildcat Hour. Carpenter, who accepted the award, read a brief mission statement and thanked colleagues and family.

The board recognized Lana Casseb, an eighth grader at Paul Kinder Middle School, as student of the month. Board members praised her academic record and leadership; Lana told the board she felt “so accomplished” and thanked teachers and family.

Board members offered public thanks to all honorees. No action was required beyond the recognitions.