Cafeteria monitor Francesca Augello's Heimlich saves student

A Commack school monitor is being heralded as a hero for her quick thinking when a student started choking during lunchtime.

Francesca Augello, who works at Wood Park Primary School, sprang into action when she noticed that second-grader Grayson Molina, 8, was in distress while eating pizza in the school’s cafeteria. Within seconds, Augello employed the Heimlich maneuver on the struggling boy and ultimately saved his life, his family said.

Augello, 37, is to be honored for her heroic efforts with a proclamation during a general meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature May 7.

“Francesca did exactly what she would’ve done for her own children. She saved our son’s life and there’s really not enough words to express our full gratitude,” Grayson’s mother, Alexa, said. “Going through an experience like this … it really hits home — you really see that they’re not just staff members or teachers, they’re more like family.”

The incident, which occurred at about 1 p.m. on March 8, happened while Grayson was finishing his pizza as he waited for a line of students to dwindle so he could buy a snack, according to his father, Paul. He then locked eyes with Augello, who noticed the boy was “just staring at her and wasn’t moving,” he said.

“That’s not like him, because he’s usually talking and stuff,” said his father. “So, she went up to him and said, “Grayson, are you OK?’ But he didn’t answer her.”

Augello asked the boy a second time if he was OK, before he opened his mouth and she could see that he was choking, the Molinas said. She then swiftly stood him up from his seat and began performing the Heimlich maneuver, which is an abdominal thrust technique used to treat upper-airway obstructions.

It was the first time that Augello had used the first-aid procedure in her six years on the job, according to school officials.

“I’m a mom of three, and my instincts just kicked in,” said Augello, a resident of Smithtown. “I’m just happy everything worked out. You just have to pay attention and be aware what’s going on in the cafeteria.”

Paul Molina added, “I told her, ‘Because of you, I still have my son. I can still enjoy him and see him grow up.’ ”

Augello was also praised for her actions by Commack schools Superintendent Jordan Cox.

“Heroes are ordinary people who make extraordinary decisions in critical moments, and Francesca exemplified this by performing the Heimlich maneuver,” Cox said. “We are incredibly grateful to have Francesca as a staff member.”

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.