From left to right: Office Administrator Lindsay Grace, Regional Manager Crystal Williamson and Manager of Transportation Services Philip Kuckyt.
School Buses are Lighting the Way for Safety as Students Return
The start of school is always a good time to review road safety, and this year, motorists and pedestrians out and about in Haldimand, Norfolk, and Brant will notice a new feature meant to make the trip to and from school even safer for students.
“All school buses in our district are now equipped with a white flashing strobe light, located on the back third of the roof of the school bus,” explains Philip Kuckyt, Manager of Transportation for Student Transportation Services Brant Haldimand Norfolk (STSBHN). “The strobe light will be activated while the bus is performing its route in order to bring additional attention to the vehicle, and to help motorists note that students may be boarding or de-boarding when the vehicle comes to a stop.”
Right: An arrow indicates the location of the new strobe light on the school bus roof.
Unlike the majority of vehicles on the road, school buses make frequent stops in addition to obeying stop signs and traffic lights required of all drivers – and these stops are often at locations other drivers may not anticipate. The new light feature on school buses adds another element of visibility, which is especially important during foggy weather conditions.
“The farther away you can see a moving or stopped bus, the better you can control your own vehicle when sharing the road with it,” Kuckyt points out.
These lights are not to be confused with the flashing panic light seen on the back of some taxi cabs, meant to alert the public and police that the driver may be in trouble. The purpose of the school bus’s strobe light is simply to make the bus more visible when it’s transporting students on the trip to and from school. The public can be assured that everything is functioning as normal when they see this light in action, and to take extra care.
For those looking for a refresher lesson in back-to-school road safety, Kuckyt has these reminders: “Give the bus space, as it will be making frequent stops, and don’t pass a bus when its overhead lights are engaged and the bus’s stop arm is out, as students entering or exiting the bus may be crossing the road.”
Grand Erie’s Multi-Year Plan includes Environment as one of its key pillars, and works to ensure that student transportation – an extension of the school environment – is a safe, welcoming experience for all.
Photos by Grand Erie Communications
Thank you Queensview Retirement Community for donating $1,000 to our playground fundraiser
In an effort to build a better school playground we are trying to raise money for two playground structures with landscaping. This project will make a positive difference for 400+ elementary students at North Ward School. The estimated costs to complete the project is $75,000 to $100,000. Our school has raised approximately $11,000 through our recent Danceathon. Thank you to Queensview Retirement Community and R.T . Systems Inc. for donating $1000 each to our important cause.
For charitable donations of $1,000 or more, we can provide a charitable donation receipt, an acknowledgement on our outdoor school sign (see photo) and an acknowledgement in our school website. We will also include the name of the business or community group on a permanent plaque displayed inside our school.
For further information on donating to our playground project please contact the Ms. Shaheen or Mr. Holmes at: 519-442-2311.
Together, let's build a better playground!
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