DISTRICT NEWSLETTER
Information & Excerpts
FEBRUARY 2002
School will be closed the week of February 18th to 22nd for Mid-Winter Break.
Seniors should remember to stop by the Guidance Office and check the Scholarship Applications available there.
Juniors, don't forget to register for the Spring SAT/ACT tests. SAT deadlines are Marcy 29 and April 26; ACT deadlines are March 1 and May 3. The HTA contributed $500 to the NYS United Teachers 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund.
Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Fenlong's 2nd grade classes contributed to the St. Lawrence County S.P.C.A by donating over $140.00. Debbie Mitchell and Gretel Baltradis came in to talk to them and thanked them for their generous gift. Every one was allowed to dedicate a bulb on the SPCS Memory Tree in memory f a pet who has died or in honor of a living pet.
You can visit the St. Lawrence SPCA online at:
Parents & School Buses
Help the children be on time for the bus, wait far away from the road and avoid rough play.
Teach your child to ask the driver for help if she should drop anything near the school bus. The driver may not be able to see them if they are bent down picking something up!
No loose drawstrings and backpack straps short so they don't get caught in the handrail or bus door!
If you think a bus stop, ANY bus stop, is in a dangerous place, talk with your school office or transportation director about changing the location.
For the child getting on and off the bus
Do YOU know where the danger zone is? Where is it? If you don't know, please find out quick!
When you get off the bus, why should you bother to look carefully first?
Because a CAR might be passing the bus on the wrong side. It's against the law, but some people do it.
How far in front of the bus do you have to be before you cross the road?
Far enough to see the bus driver's face! Look very carefully for cars before you cross. Look left and right when you get to the edge of the bus to be sure that all cars are stopped and waiting for you to cross. Cross quickly but do not run.
ALWAYS do what the bus driver tells you to do.
Clothing Safety
Drawstrings can catch in any small gap, injuring the child, especially if it is around the neck. Clothing with drawstrings are best avoided if possible. A drawstring with a large knot or toggle is the easiest to get caught on something.
The law
Motorists MUST stop when approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and the stop signal arm is extended. These signals mean children are getting on and off the bus.
Motorists MUST NOT pass until the flashing red lights and signals are turned off.
Drivers traveling in the same direction as the bus MUST not PASS the bus when any lights are flashing.
NEVER pass a bus on the right side of the bus. That is where children enter and exit the bus. It is not only illegal to pass on the right but it can have tragic results.
Auto Safety Hotline:
(1-888-327-4236)Web site:
www.nhtsa.dot.govThe School Bus Safety Program:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/buses/The official newsletter of course has much more information: this is only a short synopsis of what I find to be most interesting and informative.