KINGSPORT, Tenn. – John Sevier Middle School and the Sevier Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) have partnered with local businesses and organizations, Calvary Baptist Church, Mac’s Medicine Mart, P&S Pharmacy, Prairie Farms Dairy, and Walmart to build emergency preparedness kits for each academic classroom at the school. School Resource Officer Brad Conkin and Family Liaison Marty Meade spearheaded this project to provide classrooms with basic medical care supplies in event of an emergency.

“At Sevier and at all Kingsport City Schools, we take seriously the goal to provide a safe environment for our students and staff,” said Dr. Holly Flora, principal, John Sevier Middle School. “Officer Conkin is a valuable member of our staff and his idea to secure these kits reflects his dedication to his job as school resource officer." 

Each emergency preparedness kit contains basic items that would be needed in event of a lockdown or medical emergency. If purchased at retail cost, the kits would cost at least $40 each or nearly $1,500 for the entire school. Kits include items such as step-by-step CPR instructions, water and snacks, a flashlight, medical gloves, bandages, gauze, antibiotic ointment, surgical scissors, and paracord. 

“If we are prepared, we won’t be caught off guard,” said Officer Brad Conkin. “Every little step in becoming more educated and knowledgeable when it comes to an emergency situation is a step in the right direction.” 

Walmart donated clear containers for supplies to be packaged.  P&S Pharmacy donated adhesive bandages, and gauze.  Mac’s Medicine Mart donated medical supplies, including gloves, scissors, gauze, and Ace bandages.  Prairie Farms Dairy, the KCS supplier for milk products, donated bottles of water.  The Sevier PTSA donated flashlights and Calvary Baptist Church donated snacks.

Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a public school district located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and a non-traditional school; with total enrollment over 7,100 students. The vision of Kingsport City Schools is to be, Student Focused … World Class.

KCS has been named the top school district in Tennessee as winner of the 2014 SCORE Prize District Award by the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) and has earned the 2014 Achievement Award in the annual Excellence in Tennessee Recognition Program by the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNPCE).

For more information on KCS, visit k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, read our blog, We Are KCS, or call (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (Kingsport City Schools), Twitter (@KCS_District) and check out our YouTube Channel (KPTSchools).

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