PEI Home and School Federation Supports AEDs in Island Schools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PEI Home and School Federation Supports AEDs in Island Schools
“AEDs in all Island schools policy of Federation”
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island CANADA- February 5th, 2019- The PEI Home and School Federation is expressing appreciation and support for the Province of Prince Edward Island’s recent announcement to place automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in Island schools.
“We are very pleased to support this initiative. Our schools are essential to our communities and as such are used day to day not only for educating our children, but they are also used after school hours by community groups and organizations for sports, recreation, and extracurricular activities. This investment will benefit students, staff, teachers, and the entire community. We commend the Department of Education, Early Learning and Culture for investing in the safety for Island school children and all Islanders”, says Cory Thomas, President of the PEI Home and School Federation.
The PEI Home and School Federation bases most of its yearly plans and strategic directions on the resolution process from its annual general meeting (AGM) every April. Local Home and School Associations across the province bring forward resolutions to the spring AGM that are debated and supported at the local level . These resolutions give the provincial federation direction to take in terms of education advocacy. At the April 9th, 2016 AGM, a resolution put forward by Queen Elizabeth Elementary School in Kensington passed suggesting the PEI Home and School Federation request that the Departments of Education and Health provide funds to place and maintain automated external defibrillators in each school across PEI.
“We are very excited to hear that Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are going to be placed in our Island schools. Early defibrillation in the event of cardiac arrest is shown to be one of the most important factors in survival. AEDs are important tools that can be used by almost everyone; their technology guides the user through the steps from beginning to end and makes them safe to use for even untrained individuals,” says Darby McCormick, President, Queen Elizabeth Home and School Association.
Schools are in many ways the heart of our Island communities and are used for many things outside of the normal school day. Having AEDs readily available in schools not only protects students and staff but also all community members that utilize their facilities.”
The Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation (PEIHSF) is an umbrella organization comprised of the membership of 55 local home and school associations and parent councils. Through partnerships with various organizations, the PEIHSF brings together parents, guardians, teachers and administrators to promote the highest standards of education for Prince Edward Island children.
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Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation
PO Box 1012 Charlottetown, PEI, C1A 7M4
Contact: Shirley Smedley-Jay PEIHSF@edu.pe.ca
(902)-620-3186 www.peihsf.ca