All Canal Winchester Schools Earn Heart Safe School Designation

All four Canal Winchester Schools have earned the Heart Safe School designation through Project ADAM Ohio in partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital. This recognition means the district not only meets but exceeds state regulations for sudden cardiac arrest preparedness, helping protect students, staff, and visitors every day.

Through Project ADAM, schools prepare for cardiac emergencies by creating strong emergency response plans, training staff in CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use, providing student CPR education, and raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest. By earning the Heart Safe School designation, Canal Winchester Schools are now part of a growing network of schools across Ohio that are committed to keeping their communities safe.

Project ADAM, short for Automated Defibrillators in Adam's Memory, began in 1999 after a series of sudden deaths among high school athletes in southeastern Wisconsin, including 17-year-old Adam Lemel. Adam’s parents, Patty and Joe Lemel, worked with the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to start the program in his memory. Their mission is to prevent sudden cardiac death in children and teens through education and the implementation of life-saving programs.

This achievement reflects the hard work and commitment of Canal Winchester Schools staff and partners. Thanks to their efforts and the support of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the district is better prepared to respond quickly in a cardiac emergency and help ensure the health and safety of everyone who enters our schools.