Donations kick-start $200,000 SPS initiative

Two donations announced this morning mark the beginning of a $200,000 Springfield Public Schools initiative designed to prepare the district for potential disasters.

During the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce's Good Morning, Springfield! event, the American Red Cross submitted its donation of $25,250 and the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools announced its $20,000 contribution, according to a news release.

The donations go toward the Springfield Public Schools Emergency Preparedness Initiative, for which the district is seeking $200,000 to equip and train staff at every SPS site for disasters. Funding would provide safety kits in every classroom for teachers and materials for each of the district's 25,000 students. It also would go toward training the staff in CPR and first aid.

“Preparedness reduces panic,” said Jean Grabeel, SPS manager of student health services, in the release. “This initiative with the Red Cross and other partnering organizations is very unique. Having all of our sites trained and equipped with these safety kits will give our students, parents and staff peace of mind.”

Other partners on the project include the Greene County Office of Emergency Management, the chamber, the Springfield Council of PTAs and the SPS Partners in Education program.