Date: Fri 31-Jan-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

schools-bus-drivers-St-Rose

Full Text:

BAGELS, BANANAS AND COFFEE TO GO: ST.ROSE HONORS BUS DRIVERS w/ 3 cuts

B Y D OROTHY E VANS

The 16 school bus drivers who regularly transport Newtown children to and from

St. Rose School were honored Monday morning, January 27, at an informal coffee

in the school's faculty lounge.

In addition to the special "Thank You" brunch, the drivers each received a

citation from school principal Donna DeLuca and a complimentary non-spill,

16-ounce travel coffee mug.

"They get a free fill-up at Dunkin' Donuts for their first cup!" Mrs DeLuca

said as she greeted several drivers who were able to stop by St. Rose

following their morning runs.

"I don't know what we'd do without them. They're so considerate of the

children. They really take an interest," Mrs DeLuca said.

She also speculated with Transportation Director Mary Kelly about the

likelihood of there being a snow day on Tuesday.

Mrs Kelly was betting there would be one, "since we've gotten off easy so far.

Only one missed day [of school]," Mrs Kelly said.

Mrs DeLuca had presented a plaque to Mrs Kelly at the school's Community

Appreciation Breakfast after Mass Sunday morning, thanking her for her service

to the school in coordinating the drivers' runs with the St. Rose students'

needs.

She noted that with 225 children enrolled, the bus drivers for St. Rose must

cover all parts of Newtown to get the job done.

"The children's safety and well-being is always foremost in their minds," Mrs

DeLuca said.

50 Years Ago,

Same Safety Issues

A light moment occurred with the late entrance of one driver, Bill Henckel,

who stopped by at the end of the St. Rose brunch in time to grab a cup of

coffee.

"Mary, you should look in this week's Bee under the `Way We Were' section in

the back. You'll laugh," Mr Henckel told Mrs Kelly.

The January 24, 1947 excerpt from The Newtown Bee to which Mr Henckel referred

stated that bus drivers had met with Hawley Principal Carl LeGrow and

Superintendent of Schools Carroll Johnson to discuss several safety issues.

They mentioned especially the hazards of vehicles that were continually

passing standing school buses. The drivers cited in the article estimated that

"80 percent of motorists don't stop."

Other safety rules that the school bus drivers 50 years ago wanted enforced

were: No eating on school buses; No standing; No vandalism; and No littering.

Also, they pointed out that all students crossing the road when exiting the

bus must cross in front.

"I'll have to read it," Mrs Kelly replied.

When she does, she'll see that 50 years has not made all that much difference

in the way people behave, Mr Henckel promised.