Jocelyn Ward's first-grade class at Piper Elementary School was honored today for helping to save their librarian's life. Jocelyn is in the second row from the top, on the far left, and the librarian's son, David Hosch, is on the second row from the top, far right. Firefighters and Fire Chief John Paul Jones are in the back row. (Staff photo)

   Piper first-graders were honored today for helping to save their librarian’s life.

   When librarian Linda Hosch fainted while reading a book to Jocelyn Ward’s first-grade students and fell on Jan. 10, the first-graders ran to the office and got help, school officials said. Hosch had suffered a life-threatening episode, according to a fire department spokesman.

   Cheryl Brown, the secretary, and Ann Ratcliff, school nurse, came in, found Hosch unconscious and then Ratcliff started to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

   The class was singled out for their actions in getting help or watching over the librarian while others ran to get help, school officials said.

   “It’s absolutely amazing how they knew exactly what to do,” said Piper Elementary School Principal Allan Amos. “They had to stay calm, act fast and get help.”

   Superintendent Steve Adams praised the students, who did not have any previous training in CPR or how to act in an emergency.

   “They kept their cool, they recognized that she was unconscious and needed help, so they went directly to the office and got help,” Adams said. Once help arrived, the students were taken out of the library so they didn’t have to witness CPR, he added.

Some of the Piper students, with their teacher, Jocelyn Ward, left, were honored at a school assembly today. (Staff photo)