Crisis And Commendation

To the Editor:

It is with heartfelt and humble pride that I commend those students, staff members, community members and parents involved in last week’s school bus accident. There were 30 St Rose students onboard Bus #2 and I am happy to report that the worst of the injuries were a number of stitches and a significant head bruise. The children behaved admirably despite the heat and the fact that they were occupants of a bus involved in tumultuous, serious collision. It is clear that the Lord’s blessings were with our children and the other drivers, as it could have been much worse.

I would like to thank Father Bob Weiss, Father Larry Larson and Reverend Steve Gordon, who were on the scene immediately and offered prayer, comfort and consolation. Thank you, too, to our teachers: Mr Bill Peterson, Mrs Pat O’Keefe, Mr Rob Stowell, and Mrs Pat Philipp, our school nurse, who assisted in a myriad of ways at the scene of the accident, and to Mrs Roberta Offchiss, Mrs Mary Maloney, Mrs Rita Porado, Mrs Rita Garrett, Mrs Mary Jo Bokuniewicz, Mrs Alice Brady and all those who stayed at the school to receive the children when they came back to be met by their parents.

The local police department, led by Sgt Stormer and Officer Robinson, were extremely helpful, as were the volunteer fire fighters that appeared on the scene, most notably the familiar face of former St Rose students Colin McAllister, Tom Ramsdell, and Chris Belair. Thank you, also, to David Ober and the following EMTs who treated many students on site: Maria Sadlier, Karen Paloin, Susan Cameron, David Butz, Denise Canale, Karen Luhrman, Nancy Farrell, and Mike Agius. Our further gratitude is extended to the regional paramedics, and all other emergency personnel whose names I am sure I have missed.

A special thanks is due to the Newtown Middle School staff members who assisted throughout the crisis. Most specifically I would like to recognize: school nurse Barbara Reilly, teacher Tom DiBenedetto, who stayed with one of our injured students before the student was transported to the hospital, and NMS custodian Mike Hoyt, who brought several cases of bottled water to the children and adults. The “rerouting” of middle school children for dismissal was, I am sure, not an easy feat, and I thank Mrs Diane Sherlock, and the students for their patience, understanding and assistance.

Our exemplary bus driver, Theresa Cash, was among the bravest souls last Thursday, and I thank her for her skill and sound judgement in what must have been a harrowing experience for all aboard Bus #2.

If I have forgotten specific individuals, please know that you are in my prayers of thanks. With each passing day I recognize how precious and precarious life is and what a wonderful community of selfless, benevolent “givers” is Newtown. I am happy to say we at St Rose School are lucky and I feel privileged to live among you.

With warm and sincere gratitude,

Mrs Donna DeLuca

Principal, St Rose School

40 Church Hill Road, Newtown                                   May 7, 2001