North Charleston School Nurse Boosts Health Education Through Grants
In the vibrant community of North Charleston, South Carolina, one passionate school nurse is making waves at the Allegro Music Charter School. Amanda Baldwin, the school nurse, has taken it upon herself to find innovative ways to enhance the health education of her students through grants and educational programs. Her efforts are not just about providing basic medical assistance; they’re about enriching the curriculum and ensuring that students are equipped with essential life-saving skills.
Finding Opportunities
Baldwin is well-versed in the world of grants, and she makes it clear that it all starts with a little bit of networking and the willingness to seek out opportunities. “We collaborate with MUSC Boeing for children’s wellness, and we get a lot of grant opportunities sent to us every year,” she shares. With a strategic approach, Baldwin maintains a checklist of health initiatives, which has been instrumental in identifying various grants that match the school’s needs.
A Big Win with Voya Financial
Recently, Baldwin celebrated her latest achievement with a $2,000 Voya Financial grant. This funding allows the school to procure essential CPR and AED equipment, drastically improving the health curriculum. When Baldwin first walked through the doors of Allegro in 2020, she found that very few staff members were CPR-certified. Determined to change that, she got certified to teach CPR classes and aims to give students hands-on experience. She points out, “So this grant was to help us get the supplies that I could go into the classroom in our personal health class and really give them the opportunity to practice on a mannequin.”
Through this program, students will receive tailored guidance, ensuring they grasp proper CPR techniques and develop confidence in emergency response. Baldwin believes it’s all about fostering teamwork and effective communication, crucial skills during emergencies.
Principal Neikirk’s Appreciation
The principal of Allegro, Daniel Neikirk, heaps praise on Baldwin, recognizing her invaluable contributions to the school. “Nurse Baldwin is an incredible resource,” he says. “The charter school funding mechanism does not give us all the funding that regular public schools receive. She goes the extra mile, caring for our students, caring for our families, reaching out to make sure that they’re safe, finding resources to give them.”
Music and CPR: A Unique Connection
Allegro Music Charter School prides itself on integrating music into all areas of learning. Neikirk explains how understanding music can even play a role in CPR training. “When they’re figuring out the tempos in their music, everybody uses that in their CPR training to make sure that they’re administering aid properly,” he elaborates. This creative intertwining of subjects makes learning both engaging and practical for students.
More Than Just CPR
Baldwin’s successes don’t end with the CPR grant. She collaborated with the PE teacher to secure another grant from the Outride Foundation, which provided 30 specialized bikes for physical education classes. “I just thought, What a cool opportunity to get our children outside, teach them bike safety while keeping them physically active,” Baldwin shares. With a new building that lacked a dedicated gym space, these bikes are a fantastic way to keep students active and involved in the community.
Seeing the Students Thrive
One of Baldwin’s greatest joys is observing students don their neon helmets and cycle through the Park Circle Community. She emphasizes the importance of these skills, stating, “Cardiac arrest is every minute counts, and a lot of times it is lay people that are intervening in that.” Her goal is to prepare every student, not just for school emergencies, but for real-life situations.
Encouragement to Others
Baldwin’s enthusiasm for her role radiates through everything she does, inspiring those around her. She encourages others to look for similar opportunities, stating that applying for grants is a worthwhile investment of time, ultimately leading to significant benefits for students and the community. “It’s really important everybody’s prepared,” she concludes, driving home the message that knowledge and skills can empower individuals to make a difference in critical situations.
In North Charleston, Amanda Baldwin is a shining example of how one dedicated individual can transform a school environment, making health education accessible and engaging while preparing students for the future.
