New Safety Kits Come To Central Regional Schools

BERKELEY, NJ — The Central Regional School District got their first delivery of something they hope they never have to use: wound safety kits.

The founder of Survival + For Schools delivered the first safety kits to the Central Regional School District, which are part of Superintendent Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder's plan to improve safety for all students and staff, the district shared in a news release.

“Since I began as district superintendent in January 2024, it has been my priority to make the health, wellness and safety of students and staff a top priority,” CarneyRay-Yoder said. “These safety kits will make sure that our district is safe in the event of an emergency.

“Hopefully, we will never have to use these kits, but they are integral to the wellbeing of our staff and students,” she said.

She said she was excited to have the first delivery of 40 kits. CarneyRay-Yoder worked with Stewart Krentzman, the founder of the not-for-profit Survival+ For Schools, School Resource Officer, and Berkeley Township Patrolman Thomas Eichen and first responder and member of the Survival+ team Bobby Baran to select the best locations around the district. These included classrooms, main offices, guidance offices and media centers.

“I am excited to make the delivery of the first wound safety kits to Central Regional,” said Krentzman, the founder of Survival+ For Schools, a not-for-profit. “As more donations come in, I look forward to supplying the district with more kits in the future.”

About 150 Central staff members received special training on how to use the kits last fall. Baran said he plans to offer another training this spring to staff who have not yet been certified.

The staff complete the first portion of the training online before taking an in-person class. Training participants receive their Certificates of Completion from the program developed by the American College of Surgeons.

To raise the remaining $38,000 to purchase more kits, the district is encouraging community members to donate on a secure website page: https://www.centralreg.k12.nj.us/article/1559322

So far, Make Our Schools Safe, founded by the family of Alyssa Alhadeff following her death at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, donated $10,000 to purchase safety kits and Baran donated his time for the training.

Carney-Ray Yoder said she was pleased that the district received money to purchase the first 40 kits. Her goal is to raise enough money to purchase a kit for every classroom and high traffic areas including gymnasiums and auditoriums, she said. The kits contain a blanket and first aid supplies.

The safety kits can be thrown across a hallway if needed.

For more information, visit the Survival+ for Schools website: https://survivalplusforschools.org/.