Grand Island School District Department of Transportation

School District Bus Garage Webpage
2451 Baseline Road, Grand Island, NY 14072

Operation Safe Stop - School Bus Safety - April 2010

Pictured are Grand Island Town Police Officers Dick Stoll and Keith Wood, Town Councilman Dick Crawford, Town Supervisor Peter McMahon, Councilwoman Mary Cooke, Erie County Sheriff Deputies Jeffery Ely and Scott Kuhlmey, Grand Island Town Police Officer Terry Guenot and Transportation Supervisor Jack Burns
Click photo for larger view
   The Grand Island Town Police, Erie County Sheriff's Dept. and the New York State Police participated with the Grand Island Central School District in Operation Safe Stop on Thursday, April 15, 2010.
   Operation Safe Stop is a state-wide enforcement effort aimed at drivers who fail to stop for stopped school buses, and is part of the District's School Bus Safety Program. The police followed school buses on their morning bus run where drivers often fail to stop for the buses.
   NYS Law States:
You must stop for the red flashing lights, even on divided highways and on school grounds

You must stop whether you are approaching the school bus from the front or overtaking it from the rear.

The first time fine for illegally passing a school bus is $250, 5 points on your license, and/or possibly 30 days in jail.

   Statistically, school buses are eight (8) times safer than riding in the family car. Students are most vulnerable to accidents when they are not inside the bus during the loading and un loading process. There are two types of loading and unloading accidents:
By Own Bus (BOB) - A child is struck by their school bus
Passing Motorist (PM) - A child is struck by a passing motorist

Loading and unloading fatalities typically involve one or more of the following factors:
   Child crossed too close to the front of the bus and the bus driver did not see the child
   Child dropped something in the bus "Danger Zone" and stopped to pick it up.
   Students running late for the bus
   Motorists claim that they did not see the red flashing lights.

   During the 2008-2009 school year, there were eighteen (18) loading and unloading student fatalities nation-wide. Eleven (11) students were struck by their own bus, and seven (7) students were killed by passing motorists. Most student accidents occurred going to school, in daylight hours with dry roads and clear sky. Students were either waiting at the bus stop or running to the bus stop.
   The purpose of the District's School Bus Safety Program is the safety of the children in our care and custody. The School Bus Safety Program includes:
   Three required bus safety drills

   Kindergarten through grade five in class and hands on bus safety program taught by the bus driver safety team

   School bus driver training which includes safety meetings, "skills roadeo," and annual and bi-ennial testing.

   Provide and maintain safe quality buses and equipment. This includes transit buses, thermal pane windows, crossing gates, roof strobes, LED lights, flashing LED strobe red and yellow lights.

   Yearly review of bus stops and routes. The goal is to minimize the number of students who have to cross and students from approaching the bus from the rear.

   Participate in Operation Safe Stop
   Remember - children's lives are in your hands. No Excuses. No Regrets

   STOP WHEN THE RED LIGHTS FLASH

NYAPT Honors Jack Burns for his Dedication to School Transportation - July 2009

(left) NYAPT member David Dwyer, Jack Burns, Loraine Ingraci (Grand Island Central School District assistant superintendent for finance and support), and Bob Lawry (director of transportation for Lancaster School District).
Click photo for larger view
   Jack Burns, supervisor of transportation for Grand Island Central School District, has dedicated his 27-year career in school transportation to understanding and achieving the goals and objectives of safe student transportation. On Sunday, July 12, 2009, the New York Association of Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) presented Jack with the “Art Schock Award.” This award honors a NYAPT member who best exemplifies the character and qualities Art Schock epitomizes - using involvement and sharing to improve pupil transportation.
   Jack Burns has achieved an impeccable student transportation safety record. He has also made a name for himself throughout the community for his “secret bus driver safety sign.” The sign is the original, "Live Long and Proper” Vulcan sign from Star Trek and instills the importance of school bus safety in all Grand Island students. Grand Island alumni still remember the Vulcan safety sign years after their graduation and refer to the sign as they instill the importance of bus safety in younger generations to come.
   Jack believes with everyone pulling together, Grand Island will be a safer place for Island students as well as a safer place to work. His tireless efforts to make student bus safety information available to the public is always a priority. Jack is an effective, efficient and extremely competent leader of the Grand Island school transportation department. He directly supervises 80 employees and serves approximately 3500 students by providing safe transportation to some 60 public, private, parochial and special education schools. The Grand Island bus fleet consists of 72 buses that travel between 70,000 and 750,000 miles per year.

Passing Stopped School Bus Can Be Hazardous To A Child's Health - April 2009

(left) Grand Island Police Officers Keith Wood and Terry Guenot, Councilwoman Mary Cooke, Grand Island Police Officer Dick Stoll, Erie County Sheriff Shawn Young and New York State Police Office Chris Pyc.
Click photo for larger view
   Operation Safe Stop is a statewide effort to educate motorists that the yellow flashing lights on a school bus mean the bus is preparing to stop and load or unload passengers. The flashing red lights mean that loading or unloading is taking place.
   New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law (1174) requires all motorists to always stop for a school bus that has its red lights flashing. This rule applies on all roads including multi-lane or divided highway, on school grounds, in driveways or parking lots - everywhere. The first time conviction for illegally passing a school bus is a $250 - $400 fine, 5 points on your license, and/or 30 days in jail.
   When stopping for a school bus, come to a complete stop. If you continue to creep up on the bus, students won't cross and the process will take longer. Do not try to time the lights; you may not see the student running late towards the bus. If you drop off your child at school, do not drop them off in the bus loading zone.
   In cooperation with the New York State Police, Erie County Sheriff and Grand Island Town Police on Thursday, April 23, the above police agencies followed selected Grand Island school on the morning bus routes. The purpose was to have the police act as visual enforcement and to issue citations if anyone choose not to stop for the school bus.
   For the safety of Grand Island students STOP WHEN THE RED LIGHTS FLASH.

April 2 - Operation Safe Stop Day
   Monday, March 31, 2008 - GI Transportation Department . . .Every day in our state, over 2.3 million children are transported to and from school on over 50,000 yellow school buses. School transportation operators, including schools, BOCES, private contractors, and others, work very hard to ensure that every one of those children gets to school and back home again safely each day.
   More than 50,000 school bus drivers and nearly 10,000 school bus attendants and thousands of technicians and dispatchers and more do their part to ensure that school buses are safe and clean, that they are driven professionally and that they adhere to safe and efficient routes.
   There is one factor that we cannot control as an industry dedicated to the safety of our school children: we cannot make the motoring public STOP for school buses that are stopped to pick up or drop off our children. That is up to the public – to stop or not to stop!
   The Western Chapter of the New York Association for Pupil Transportation calls upon all New Yorkers to observe an extra measure of safety on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 – Operation Safe Stop Day. We estimate that some 50,000 motorists will illegally pass a stopped school bus on any given day of the school year. That is 50,000 times a day that someone is breaking a law intended to protect our children. That is 50,000 times a day that a child may be injured or even killed by a passing motorist.
   We also urge our school children to follow the rules they are taught by their schools and school bus drivers. These include lining up single file to get onto the school bus, never going under or behind the school bus, never fighting or bullying at the school bus stop. These rules are set out to help you stay safe so that you can have a good day in school and go home that night with your family and friends.
   School bus safety is very important to all in our state – after all, our children are our future and our future is riding with us!
   Press events are planned in various locations around the state to commemorate Operation Safe Stop Day. The local statewide event will be held at 10:00 a.m. on April 2nd at the Grand Island Central School, Transportation Department.

Transportation Center Holds Rodeo - 2007

From left are Driver Wendy Truesdale and Tennis Ball Judge Karen Smith - Teresa Alizadeh and Ron Thorington - Karen Smith
Jodi Robinson Photos
   The week of May 21, 2007 was busy at the Grand Island School District Tranportation Center. All of the the employees took their turn in a school bus rodeo held in the parking lot of the Sidway Elementary School. Driving around barrels, through lines of tennis balls, and running the wheelchair lift were all part of keeping prepared to fill in for another driver. Even Supervisor Jack Burns took his turn behind the wheel.

Operation Safe Stop Is Underway - 2005

Shown from left are Transportation Supervisor Jack Burns, Grand Island Police Officers Dick Stoll and Keith Wood, Councilwoman Mary Cooke, Erie County Sheriff's Deputy Mike Summers, Grand Island Police Officer Robert Hondzinski, State Troopers Chris Pyc and Tom Swanson, and Town Supervisor Peter McMahon. Missing from photo are Councilman Dan Robillard, Erie County Sheriff's Deputy Rich Horst and School Superintendent Dr. Thomas Ramming.
   New York State Police, Erie County Sheriff's Deputies and Grand Island Town Police officers followed selected Grand Island school buses on the morning bus routes on Oct. 6^th. As part of the Operation Safe Stop program, the purpose was to have the police act as visual enforcement and to issue citations.
   Operation Safe Stop is a statewide effort to educate motorists that the yellow flashing lights on a school bus mean the bus is preparing to stop and load or unload passengers. The flashing red lights mean that loading and unloading is taking place. State vehicle and traffic law requires all motorists to always stop for a school bus that has its red lights flashing. This rule applies on all roads including multi-lane or divided highways, on school grounds, in driveways or parking lots- everywhere. The first time conviction for illegally passing a school bus is a $250.00 to $400.00 fine, five points on your license, and/or 30 days in jail.
   When stopping for a school bus, come to a complete stop. If you continue to creep up on the bus, students won’t cross and the process will take longer. Do not try to time the lights; you may not see the student running late toward the bus. If you drop your child at school, do not drop them off in the bus-loading zone.
   For the safety of Grand Island students, stop when the red lights flash.

Valentine's Day Luncheon in Memory of MaryLou Lunsford - 2005

Photos and Story By Jodi Robinson - Click photo for larger view
MaryLou Lunsford sadly passed away January 26, 2005. MaryLou was always in charge of the party planning at the School District bus garage on Baseline Road. In fact, she had started planning this year's Valentine's Day party before her death. Wendy Truesdale took over the planning and on Monday, February 14, the bus employees held a "We Love MaryLou" party. The garage was decorated to the nines and eight different homemade soups were on the menu along with pizza and bread. The dessert table was full of delectable treats. Two of MaryLou's daughters, Lisa Stoddard and Karen Conboy, were in attendance along with son-in-law Lieutenant Colonel David Conboy, on leave from the U.S. Army in Iraq, and grandchildren Josh Stoddard and Sarah McMahon. MaryLou would have been very proud of the efforts of her fellow workers. She taught them well.

School Bus Drivers Needed - 2005

Photo By Fred Claus
   Monday, January 3, 2005 - GI Transportation Department . . .IF YOU HAVE ever thought of becoming a School Bus Driver, we’d love to have you. The District is having an informational open house to answer any questions you may have. Learn more about our program:
Where:
Transportation Center
2451 Baseline Road
Behind Sidway Elementary
When:
January 12, 2004
10 a.m.
Or: Call us at 773-8890
• Free training to attain a CDL License
• Paid Holidays
• New York State Retirement
• $11.00 - $14.00 starting pay
   Hope to see you there !

School Bus Drivers Hold Pirate Banquet

Pirates from left are Kathy Lechner, Dorothy Costanzo and Mary Lou Lunsford.
Click photos for larger view
By Jodi Robinson
   Mary Lou Lunsford did it again! Mrs. Lunsford is always the leader of the theme parties held at the school district's bus garage by the fun-loving bus drivers. On Friday, October 29, 2004 the bus painting hut at the transportation center was transformed into a pirate banquet. Everyone was given an eye-patch to decorate and many wore costumes. Invited to lunch was School Superintendent Dr. Thomas Ramming, who enjoyed the six different home-made soups, breads and desserts brought in by the drivers.

Substitute School Bus Drivers Needed - 2004
   The Grand Island School District Transportation Department is in need of substitute bus drivers. Commercial drivers license training provided. Work hours during the school year are 6:45-9:30 a.m. and 2-4:30 p.m. Wage rate is $11.00 per hour.
   Applications may be obtained at the:
Grand Island Central School District Transportation Center
2451 Baseline Road
Grand Island N. Y. 14072-1667
   Call 773-8890 for more information.
( EOE )

Passing A Stopped School Bus Can Be Hazardous To A Child's Health - 2004

Click photo for larger view
By Jack Burns, School District Transportation Supervisor
   Operation Safe Stop is a statewide effort to educate motorists, that the yellow flashing lights on a school bus mean the bus is preparing to stop and load or unload passengers. The flashing red lights mean that loading or unloading is taking place.
   New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law (1174) requires all motorists to always stop for a school bus that has its red lights flashing. This rule applies on all roads including multi-lane or divided highways, on school grounds, in driveways or parking lots - everywhere. The first time conviction for illegally passing a school bus is a $250 - $400 fine, 5 points on your license, and/or 30 days in jail.
   When stopping for a school bus, come to a complete stop. If you continue to creep up on the bus, students won't cross and the process will take longer. Do not try to time the lights; you may not see the student running late towards the bus. If you drop off your child at school, do NOT drop them off in the bus-loading zone.
   In cooperation with the New York State Police, Erie County Sheriff and Grand Island Town Police on Thursday, October 14, 2004 the above police agencies followed selected Grand Island school buses on the morning bus routes. The purpose was to have the police act as visual enforcement and to issue citations if anyone choose not to stop for the school bus.
   For the safety of Grand Island students, STOP WHEN THE RED LIGHTS FLASH.

"Busses Are Us" Raises Funds For Relay For Life - 2004

Photo By Jodi Robinson
The bus garage crew had a beautiful day for their bake sale on Friday, May 14, 2004. Tables full of delicious home-made treats were available for purchase by people picking up their flowers from the PTSA geranium sale and others. Bus garage personnel will be participating in the "Relay For Life" on June 11-12 and this was a head start to raise funds.

School Bus Garage Crew To Hold Bake Sale - 2004
The school district bus garage crew, "Busses Are Us," will hold a bake sale to benefit "Relay For Life." A large variety of baked goods will be for sale at the bus garage behind Sidway School, Baseline Road on Friday, May 14, 2004 beginning at 8:30 a.m. The sale is in conjunction with the PTSA geranium sale being held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

School Bus Driver Marge Merrill - Endless Stories Of 30-Year Career - 2003

Story & Photo By Jodi Hayes Robinson
   Mrs. Merrill drove school buses for over thirty years on Grand Island and loved it! The bus garage, its people and the kids she drove were "her life." Marge French Merrill came to Grand Island in 1963 from Cortland, NY, sight unseen. Her husband, working in construction building the Youngman Highway, came home from work one day and said they were moving to Grand Island. She couldn't find Grand Island on a map and had a hard time comprehending "island" life. Marge was a stay-at-home mom with son, Tom until Fall 1970 when she started as a substitute bus driver. She became a full fledged driver on February 22nd, 1971 with her own a.m. and p.m. runs. Joseph Ferro was in charge of transportation at the time and gave her a bus tour, pointing out the standard shift. Marge surprised her boss by telling him she had raced stock cars for many years in central New York at Chemung Race Track, Weedsport and at the Syracuse State Fair. Years later she would bring a trophy in to show the students who couldn't believe Mrs. Merrill was a race car driver.
   Marge has many stories to tell after driving Grand Island students for the last 30+ years. One day while driving kindergarten students home from the morning program, a five-year-old boy from Sidway got out of his seat and put a cap gun to her mid-section and pulled the trigger. After telling the little boy he shouldn't be out of his seat, she noticed he was in tears. When she asked the boy why he was crying, he said, "I shot you and you didn't fall over dead!" Mrs. Merrill replied, "Not today I won't." Another time, driving an older bus that leaked when it rained, Mrs. Merrill heard a boy from the back say, "I'm getting wet!" She replied, "Don't worry. That's the shower." A little while later the same young boy was walking up the aisle with his shirt and shoes off saying, "I like showers!"
   Mrs. Merrill is very proud of her "kids." Some have grown up to be FBI agents, Secret Service Agents, pilots and even a judge. "Kids are generally good. They can have bad days too," she said. "I treated the kids as if they were my own for ten months of the year." She gave advice if they asked for it. One of her rules was no swearing. If you did and apologized, you wouldn't get a write-up. She wouldn't change a thing over the years except she wished she started driving buses earlier and could still be driving. At her age, she wasn't sure she could be ready for unusual occurances. Marge said, "I could never handle it if something bad happened."
   Driving for the high school sports teams had its funny moments. Mrs. Merrill was close to Coach Gene Masters and he took care of her when she needed some help. The football team was at an away practice one day when Mrs. Merrill, waiting in the bus, heard rat-a-tat-tat while reading the paper. She looked around, saw nothing, then heard it again. Just then a juvenile rode by the open door on his bike and spat on her jacket. When the coach returned with the players moments later, Mrs. Merrill told him of the incident. He said, "Follow him," so away they went up the street until they followed the juvenile into a cul de sac. The coach and players piled off the bus after the boy, chasing him through well-to-do backyards with bemused neighbors looking on. Didn't catch the lad, but made sure he had a hard time finding his bike!
   Another sports trip had Marge at Niagara Wheatfield with the JV and varsity baseball teams. While the students were playing ball, Marge noticed a truck pull in with donkeys used for fundraising basketball games. She went to investigate and ended up sitting on Zeke, the donkey, at the owner's suggestion. Zeke started bucking like crazy so Marge got off, but was then asked to take him to graze in the field. Zeke took off across the sports field with Marge hanging on yelling "whoa!" One of the GI players yelled to her, "Look out." "Your headed for the pricker bushes," so that was enough! Coach Masters boarded the bus and said, "Well Marge, you sure made an ass of yourself today!"
   Marge Merrill was honored by friends, co-workers, former student riders and family at River Oaks Clubhouse on Saturday, October 25, 2003. Over 80 people came to tell stories, reminisce and congratulate her on a job very well done. Marge's bus was #10, and a model of that bus was presented to her during the dinner. She also received a pin in the shape of Grand Island with her initials on it. One of Marge's "riders" at her retirement party lost a puppy when she and her sister went to St. Stephen School. The girls got on the bus crying and explained the story to Mrs. Merrill. They had lost the puppy at the hobby shop across from their school the night before. They were inconsolable and Mrs. Merrill, trying to make them feel better, said she would search for the puppy. Low and behold, driving up Baseline to the school, Mrs. Merrill spotted the puppy sitting on a snow bank. One of the girls got the puppy and Marge said she would take it home. After that the family became lifelong friends with Marge even though the puppy tried to bite her on the ride home!
   Marge Merrill now spends her time visiting her grandaughter and great-grandaughter who live in the area. Son Tom left Grand Island after high school to join the Marines. Marge is very proud of Tom. He stayed in the Marines for eight years, joined the Navy for four years and became a Navy Seal for eight years. After retiring from the Navy, Tom settled in Los Angeles, CA where he is a L.A. fireman and paramedic. Tom and his wife, Sherri, have 5-year-old twins, Jacob and Kaitlin.

Retiring School District Bus Driver Marge Merrill Recognized

(Left) Tina Schmidt, Janie Campbell and Marge Merrill; Mrs. Merrill and Mrs. Schmidt; Granddaughter Christine with Mrs. Merrill; Guest of Honor Mrs. Merrill.
River Oaks Clubhouse was the site of a grand retirement party for Marge Merrill on Saturday, October 25, 2003. A school district bus driver since February 22 1971, Mrs. Merrill retired in August 2003. Master of ceremonies for the evening that included a buffet dinner, was Bill Vampotic. The event was attended by at least 85 guests including retired drivers Nancy Prusak, Ted and Janet Landen, Patti Moscoto, Gail Efthemis, Marlene Grabenstatter, Gloria Watkins, Pat Henderson, Karen Campbell, Anne Klein, and Roxanne Russell. Mrs. Merrill's son, Tom, was unable to attend due to the fact that he was fighting the fires in Los Angeles, California. However, her granddaughter, Christine Merrill was there to share the proud day with her grandmother. Party planners Tina Schmidt and Janie Campbell have been employees of the transportation department for 25 and 30 years respectively.

Passing A Stopped School Bus Can Be Hazardous To A Child's Health - Oct. 2003

Pictured from left front: Town Supervisor Peter McMahon, and Councilmen Dick Crawford and Dan Robillard; (back) Grand Island Police Officers Richard Stoll and Robert Hondzinski, Erie County Sheriff's Deputy Mike Summers, New York State Police Officer Robert Marren, Transportation Supervisor Jack Burns.
   Operation Safe Stop is a statewide effort to educate motorists that the yellow flashing lights on a school bus mean the bus is preparing to stop and load or unload passengers. The flashing red lights mean that loading or unloading is taking place.
   New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law (1174) requires all motorists to always stop for a school bus that has its red lights flashing. This rule applies on all roads including multilane or divided highways, on school grounds, in driveways or parking lots - everywhere. The first time conviction for illegally passing a school bus is a $250.00 - $400.00 fine, 5 points on your license, and/or 30 days in jail.
   When stopping for a school bus, come to a complete stop. If you continue to creep up on the bus, students won't cross and the process will take longer. Do not try to time the lights; you may not see the student running late towards the bus. If you drop off your child at school, do not drop them off in the bus-loading zone.
   In cooperation with the New York State Police, Erie County Sheriff and Grand Island Town Police on Thursday, October 16, 2003, the above police agencies followed selected Grand Island school buses on the morning bus routes. The purpose was to have the police act as visual enforcement and to issue citations if anyone choose not to stop for the school bus.
   For the safety of Grand Island students, STOP WHEN THE RED LIGHTS FLASH.

Bus Driver Marge Merrill Retires, Party Planned

Longtime school district bus driver Marge Merrill has resigned after transporting Island students for 32 years. A retirement party for the very well-liked driver is being planned at River Oaks Clubhouse on Saturday, October 25, 2003.
Dinner reservations at $30 per person include music, coffee service and ice cream and cake. A cash bar will be available before and after dinner. A final count is needed by October 10. For information and reservations, call Lorraine at 773-8890.

National School Bus Safety Poster Contest Winners

Mrs. Chadwick's class (Kaegebein)   -   Mrs. McDonald's class (Kaegebein)   -   Mrs. Mann's class (St. Stephen).
   Grand Island Central School District participated in the National School Bus Safety Poster Contest. The purpose of the contest is to increase student awareness of the importance of school bus safety rules that are designed to protect and keep them safe.
   Winning posters compete on a district, county, state, and national level. The winning posters nationwide are announced during the National School Bus Safety Week, October 19-25, 2003. This year the school bus poster art and slogan harmonized with the theme, Shhh---Railroad Crossing.
The Grades K-2 Division top 3 winners are: 1st place - Christopher Komin - St. Stephen - 2 Fantasy Island tickets
2nd place - Bethany Balette - St. Stephen - Gift Basket
3rd place - Carleen Conway - St. Stephen - $10.00 TOPS certificate
The Grades 3-5 Division top 3 division winners are: 1st place - Abby Englert - St. Stephen - 2 Fantasy Island tickets
2nd place - Nicholas Brezynski - St. Stephen - 2 Lasertron passes
3rd place - Rebecca Meyer - St. Stephen - $10.00 TOPS certificate
The Grades 6-7 Division top 3 winners are: 1st place - Marc Velocci - St. Stephen - 2 Fantasy Island tickets
2nd place - Michalena Beyer - St. Stephen - 2 Niagara Rock Climbing passes
3rd place - Jeremy Bobak - St. Stephen - Brick Oven Certificate
   The following students won Honorable Mention with a cash prize or free french fry from McDonald's:
Huth Road School Winners:
Cody Gibson, Sarah Stanczyk, Jordan, Davis, Tyler Sinicki, Maddy Mankowski, Ashley Johnson, Danyelle Redmond, Natallie Winder, Adam Smith, Zack Smith, Bridget Doyle, Alexa Ahne, Alexandra Seibert, Jessica Spiesz, Jeremy Forkes, Sean Garten, Laura Kondziela, Robert Rennells, Glenn Skelly.
Sidway School Winners:
Amanda Weselak, Ryan Held, Tarek Ali, Jesse Ishmael, Christoher Ortiz, Jack Gorman, Peter Chopra, Joey Darpino, Christina Butcher, Erika Ewert, Ryan Arsenault, Alex Dzielski, Elijah Richards, Matthew Zabaldo, Brandon Stevenson, Brentyn Mendel.
Kaegebein School Winners:
Maria Edel, Ryan Darnley, Chelsea Hall, Steven Lillian, Justin Ciechoski, Anthony Carruta, Elizabeth Gavis, Nathanial Benoit, Rachel Spiker, Ambria Tim, Nikolle McMahon, Patrick Thompson, Jamie Sobieski, Maria Todaro, Michael Dollard, Maxwell Kilb, Pat Brady, Brett Dlugosz, Jeannie Taylor, Andrew Cleveland, Al Endres, Melina Lombardo, Neveen Ammar, Scott Bennett, Rachel Surdi, Timothy Howley, Haley Wiles, Kasey Sumner, Margaret Shonitsky, Kristina Baranyi, Kristiana Montaldi, Iris Savory-Burke, Geoff Federspeil, Nick Marsiella, Chris Shermick.
St. Stephen School Winners:
Rachel Olszewski, Jessica Mysliwiec, Dennis Playfair, Susan Winkelstein, Callan Piazza, Emily Hebert, Connor Godfrey, Seth Carey, Ricky Englert, Connor Cady, Catherine Sponn, Amanda Stessing, Zac Jarnot, Jonathan Gebhard, Alanna Mergel, Quinn Carey, Jacob Frosolone, Bethany Balette, Stephanie Neville, Kristin Kalman, Chelsea Hillock, Zoe Reda, Stephanie Voyzey, Micahlena Beyer, Karen Hillock, Adam Alkhatib, Dylan Kelly, Jonathan Voyzey, Brendan Mergel, Jenna Saltman, Katie Bierbrauer, Jacqueline Sosnowski, David Conboy, Kevin Gibas, Sarah Neville, Phillip Lenz, Luke McConnaghy, John Sosnowski, Justin Figler, Griffin Stone, Lura Mazurek, Alex Kovacs, Evan Hebert, Angelina Colucci, Nick Panepinto, Rachel Anderson, Sam Wopperer, Alyssa Spada, Nicholas Brezinski, Paul Mosher, James Bobak, Loretta Scherrer, Maura Bobak, Alex DeRosa, Anna Playfair, Gabriella Ortiz, Evan Carey, Charles Englert, Enya Carroll, Nicholas Colan, Nick Ortiz, Justin Palamuso, Leah Jacobs, James Gallagher, Kayleigh Godfrey, Julia Kelly, Molly Meka, Megan Cady, Tim Utz, Quinton Corrao, Marielle Buffamonte, Joseph Beauchamp, Matthew Lenz, Robert Napp, Grace Olszewski, Jessica Pontrello, Ashley Colan, Colin Carey, Amber Carroll, Michael Bobak, Hannah Corrao, Sarah Dollendorf, Joseph Alkhatib, Matthew Siegel, Alexander Lenz, Joshua Tixier, Zachary Cooney, Jeremy Lazatin, Braeden Beutel, Anthony Yarussi, Patrick Gallagher, Katie-Grace White, Kara Hazelet, Alec Buffamonte, Zoanne Gebhard, Jessica Melgar, Nathan Ciffa, Summer Alkhatib, Matthew Balette, Erin McConnaghy.
   Mrs. Mann from St. Stephen received an overnight stay from Holiday Inn Grand Island for having the most poster contest entrants. St. Stephen also will keep the traveling school bus trophy for the second year.
   The school bus poster committee would like to thank the following busineses that made this safety contest possible:
Auto Fix, Brick Oven Pizza, Double "D" Construction, Holiday Inn, Grand Island Optical, Grand Island Rod & Gun Club, Island True Value, Lasertron, Grand Island Small Animal Hospital, Fantasy Island, Niagara Climbing Center, Top's, McDonald's, Just Right Gift Baskets, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9249.

School Bus Drivers Go Back To Days of the USO Shows

Jack Burns, Frank Cannata, Marylou Lunsford, Julianne Thompson and Kathy Mentor

From left are Vic Ketch, Jack Burns, Father Mulcahy (Jerry Weeks), Hotlips (Theresa Alizadeh) and Radar O'Reilly (Sandy Edwards).
Barbi Lare photos
Transportation Department school bus drivers gathered at the bus garage for another one of their fun luncheons, this time reliving the days of the USO Show during World War II, with many of the drivers dressed in their uniforms of the times. The festivities opened with a motley crew of characters who produced skits of the MASH crew, "Hot Lips" and the Andrew Sisters. Attendees had only to offer a stamp from their own personal Ration Book to be admitted to the luncheon and all activities which were under the direction of MaryLou Lunsford.

Who Says School Bus Drivers Don't Have Fun?

The Amazing Swamie, Bill Vampotic

Barbi Lare photos
   The drivers of our school buses enjoy their work and have their fun all in a day's time. MaryLou Lunsford seems to be the organizer of fun and for this timely celebration of the beginning of Lent with a "Fat Tuesday" party, she was assisted by Marcie Buell and Ellen Strickland. Together they created masks for everyone (an especially creative one for Supervisor for Transportation Jack Burns, their boss).
   There was a parade, followed by a sumpuous pot luck meal provided by many of drivers in the lunch room, completely decorated for the occasion, and the Amazing Swamie, (Bill Vampotic), had messages for the small price of $ .25 for all takers.
   Right after the meal, many of the drivers immediately went back to work, picking up and delivering Isle school children.

If you are a member of this organization, we need your help. GIECOM.Net has partnered with the Connections program to help Grand Island as a community "Get it Together." Please visit our website G-I-Together.ORG and fill out our SURVEY. Every group on Grand Island will have its own FREE web page showing: meeting times and location, contact persons, your Mission Statement and a listing of events. We will also be linking your news events that appear in the local media and on IsledeGrande.Com, Grand Island's E-News Source, to your page, maintaining an archived journal of pictures and news. This is the perfect opportunity for your group to connect with potential new members and the community.