HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-09-03, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, September 3, 2014
OPP encourages back to school safety
Drivers failing to stop for school buses
causes concern
Police are gearing up for
this year's back -to -school
season by encouraging eve-
ryone to be vigilant and
patient when encountering
school buses.
The Independent School
Bus Operators Association
(ISBOA) conducted a prov-
ince -wide study with their
school bus companies
between May 5 and May 9,
2014. During this period, bus
drivers reported several inci-
dents where vehicles failed
to stop for their school bus
when lights were flashing.
Results showed approxi-
mately 151 such incidents
occurred each day during
the 5 -day study.
The majority of these inci-
dents, 75 per cent, happened
while the vehicle was
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approaching the bus from
the front. These numbers
concern the OPP since bus
drivers are not the only peo-
ple who are responsible for
the lives of our children.
"As drivers, we know that
at certain times of the day we
can expect to encounter
school buses during our
travels," says West Region
OPP Traffic Inspector Ian
Chappell. "Drivers need to
be vigilant and pay attention
to the flashing red lights and
other safety equipment used
on buses. Our children's
safety depends on it."
The Highway Traffic Act of
Ontario indicates when a
school bus is stopped on the
roadway with its red lights
activated and "Stop" sign
out, drivers must come to a
complete stop in front of,
and behind, the bus.
Motorists must not pass
the stopped bus until the
stop arm is retracted and the
red lights are turned off. The
owner of a vehicle can be
charged if their vehicle fails
to stop for a school bus even
if they were not the driver.
Back -to -school is always a
busy time for everyone.
The OPP and ISBOA are
working together to edu-
cate the public and to raise
awareness about the possi-
ble serious consequences
of ignoring school bus
flashing lights.
"Family-owned school
bus companies across the
province are pleased to be
working with their local law
enforcement agencies to
raise awareness about the
dangers of passing a
stopped school bus," says
Steve Hull, President of
ISBOA. "Our common goal
is to make back -to -school -
and the rest of the school
year- safe for all children
who ride the bus."
For more safety tips and
information please visit
www.opp.ca.
Three Reasons Why I Wish I Was a Preschooler Again
Naomi Pelss,
director of Seaforth Co-
operative Children's Centre
and mother of three
I had the pleasure of help-
ing out in the preschool
room the other day and it
reminded me why I love
children so much.
In fact, there are many
times that I wish I was a pre-
schooler again. Just for a bit...
1. Children have incredi-
ble imaginations.
As I played with these
three and four year olds, I
was swept into their amazing
world of make-believe. I
wasn't really with "children"
at Seaforth Co-operative
Children's Centre. I was
alongside princesses, zom-
bies, puppies, carpenters
and superheroes. They
invited me into their world
and I must admit, it was
refreshing to escape the "real
world". Albert Einstein once
said, "Logic will get you from
A to Z. Imagination will get
you anywhere."
2. Children can get away
with temper tantrums.
Well, they don't really
get away with them, but as
adults we have come to
accept them. If a three year
old is on the floor kicking
and screaming, we under-
stand that he or she may
be upset and tired. We rea-
son, "He's only three after
all." If I were to fall to the
floor kicking and scream-
ing, I don't think any
adults would think, "It's
okay, she's upset and tired.
She's forty after all." It's
just not acceptable.
3. Children have little
responsibility or worries.
Sure they have to pick up
their toys or put their coats
away, put they're not
responsible for "grown-up"
problems like bills and work
and household duties. Every
now and then, I wish I was a
preschooler again and didn't
have the grown up worries
we can have as adults. The
VTELEPHONE DIRECTORY
j DO WE
YOUR NUMBER?
HAVE
It's time again for the ever popular
SEAFORTH & AREA PHONE BOOK
IF YOU...
• Moved • Changed Your Number • Add Your Cell Phone
• Have Your Number or Address Incorrectly Listed
• Are New to Seaforth
...PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE
to arrange any changes necessary
to ensure your Phone Book is up to date and correct!
11%
4
-7 1. 0. el.k85 g30 ‘
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4
4
4
v 4
Seaforth
lurou Expositor
85 1\41A14 Acr6) R4T6-I
OR FAX US AT 519-527-2858
thing is, I don't think they
know how great they have it.
Their biggest worry in a day
might be, "How am I going
to get that awesome toy from
my friend who has it now?"
And even then, they can just
turn into a "robber" and
steal it, or have a fit on the
floor until an adult remedies
the situation. Life as a pre-
schooler is good.
So the next time you look
in the office at the Seaforth
Co-operative Children's
Centre, you may find me
having a fit on the floor. But
don't worry, it won't last
long. Then I'll put my tiara
back on and go back to my
castle with my puppies.
Have an
opinion?
The Huron Expositor welcomes
letters to the editor. They must
be signed and accompanied by
a phone number for information
clarification.
It is important to note, letters will
not be able to be printed without
the author's name attached.
All letters are subject to editing
due to possible space restriction.
Letters can be dropped off at the
office, mailed or emailed:
The Huron Expositor
8 Main St.
P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ont.
NOK IWO
seaforth.news@sunmedia.ca
t
04
Stamp.).
go....II-11-)
.
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e
IR
You are invited to attend these area churches
ST. THOMAS CHURCH
ST. JAMES ROMAN
21Jarvis St. Seaforth
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Rector The Rev. Karine Snowdon
WELCOMES YOU
Rectory 519-482-9071
14 Victoria Street, Seaforth
Church Office 519-527-1522
519-345-2972
Sunday, Sept. 7th
Sun. Mass 11 a.m.
Worship at 9:30 a.m.
ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN
EVERYONE WELCOME
Sat. Mass 5 p.m.
160th Anniversary Committee
Sun. Mass 9 a.m.
Meets Tues., Sept. 9 at 1:30 p.m.
FR. BRIAN McCOLL
BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH
EGMONDVILLE
An Associated Gospel Church
UNITED CHURCH
126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982
Pastor Steve Hildebrand
Pastor Mark Kennedy
Youth Coordinator - Laura Nakamura
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 10 a.m.
WORSHIP
Tuesday Evenings
Sept. 7", 10:30 a.m.
• Youth Groups - Junior &
Senior High
No Sunday School
6:30 to 9 p.m.
For more information view our web site
www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com
6.- EVERYONE WELCOME
and Like us on Facebook.
NORTHSIDE
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
UNITED CHURCH
59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth
MINISTER MARY FLETCHER
519-527-0170
Welcomes you
Guest Minister
Sunday, Sept. 7th, 11 a.m.
Lorrie Mann - Organist
Guest Speaker:
Marty Bedard
WORSHIP
Sunday School Resumes
Nursery Provided
Sunday, Sept. 7th, 11:15 a.m.
54 Goderich St. W.
All Welcome
www.cavannorthsideunited.ca
(.5.519-527-1449 li
.1,.. Sunday School and Nursery.
1-4 Office hours: Wed. 9 a.m. - Noon
approaching the bus from
the front. These numbers
concern the OPP since bus
drivers are not the only peo-
ple who are responsible for
the lives of our children.
"As drivers, we know that
at certain times of the day we
can expect to encounter
school buses during our
travels," says West Region
OPP Traffic Inspector Ian
Chappell. "Drivers need to
be vigilant and pay attention
to the flashing red lights and
other safety equipment used
on buses. Our children's
safety depends on it."
The Highway Traffic Act of
Ontario indicates when a
school bus is stopped on the
roadway with its red lights
activated and "Stop" sign
out, drivers must come to a
complete stop in front of,
and behind, the bus.
Motorists must not pass
the stopped bus until the
stop arm is retracted and the
red lights are turned off. The
owner of a vehicle can be
charged if their vehicle fails
to stop for a school bus even
if they were not the driver.
Back -to -school is always a
busy time for everyone.
The OPP and ISBOA are
working together to edu-
cate the public and to raise
awareness about the possi-
ble serious consequences
of ignoring school bus
flashing lights.
"Family-owned school
bus companies across the
province are pleased to be
working with their local law
enforcement agencies to
raise awareness about the
dangers of passing a
stopped school bus," says
Steve Hull, President of
ISBOA. "Our common goal
is to make back -to -school -
and the rest of the school
year- safe for all children
who ride the bus."
For more safety tips and
information please visit
www.opp.ca.
Three Reasons Why I Wish I Was a Preschooler Again
Naomi Pelss,
director of Seaforth Co-
operative Children's Centre
and mother of three
I had the pleasure of help-
ing out in the preschool
room the other day and it
reminded me why I love
children so much.
In fact, there are many
times that I wish I was a pre-
schooler again. Just for a bit...
1. Children have incredi-
ble imaginations.
As I played with these
three and four year olds, I
was swept into their amazing
world of make-believe. I
wasn't really with "children"
at Seaforth Co-operative
Children's Centre. I was
alongside princesses, zom-
bies, puppies, carpenters
and superheroes. They
invited me into their world
and I must admit, it was
refreshing to escape the "real
world". Albert Einstein once
said, "Logic will get you from
A to Z. Imagination will get
you anywhere."
2. Children can get away
with temper tantrums.
Well, they don't really
get away with them, but as
adults we have come to
accept them. If a three year
old is on the floor kicking
and screaming, we under-
stand that he or she may
be upset and tired. We rea-
son, "He's only three after
all." If I were to fall to the
floor kicking and scream-
ing, I don't think any
adults would think, "It's
okay, she's upset and tired.
She's forty after all." It's
just not acceptable.
3. Children have little
responsibility or worries.
Sure they have to pick up
their toys or put their coats
away, put they're not
responsible for "grown-up"
problems like bills and work
and household duties. Every
now and then, I wish I was a
preschooler again and didn't
have the grown up worries
we can have as adults. The
VTELEPHONE DIRECTORY
j DO WE
YOUR NUMBER?
HAVE
It's time again for the ever popular
SEAFORTH & AREA PHONE BOOK
IF YOU...
• Moved • Changed Your Number • Add Your Cell Phone
• Have Your Number or Address Incorrectly Listed
• Are New to Seaforth
...PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE
to arrange any changes necessary
to ensure your Phone Book is up to date and correct!
11%
4
-7 1. 0. el.k85 g30 ‘
04 ° ?*•° 0 .
4
4
4
v 4
Seaforth
lurou Expositor
85 1\41A14 Acr6) R4T6-I
OR FAX US AT 519-527-2858
thing is, I don't think they
know how great they have it.
Their biggest worry in a day
might be, "How am I going
to get that awesome toy from
my friend who has it now?"
And even then, they can just
turn into a "robber" and
steal it, or have a fit on the
floor until an adult remedies
the situation. Life as a pre-
schooler is good.
So the next time you look
in the office at the Seaforth
Co-operative Children's
Centre, you may find me
having a fit on the floor. But
don't worry, it won't last
long. Then I'll put my tiara
back on and go back to my
castle with my puppies.
Have an
opinion?
The Huron Expositor welcomes
letters to the editor. They must
be signed and accompanied by
a phone number for information
clarification.
It is important to note, letters will
not be able to be printed without
the author's name attached.
All letters are subject to editing
due to possible space restriction.
Letters can be dropped off at the
office, mailed or emailed:
The Huron Expositor
8 Main St.
P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ont.
NOK IWO
seaforth.news@sunmedia.ca