Good day Kimball. I hope the winter has been enjoyable for all. I know both the high school and elementary buildings have been extremely busy with all of the activities going on this month. Hopefully you have been able to enjoy watching the students compete and experience some tremendous success this winter season.
Unfortunately, today I need to talk about a topic I have discussed in the past, but was hoping it would get better. That topic is the number of people who run through the red stop arm on school buses when they are stopped to pick up students across the district. Just last week, in the Rogers School district, three high school students were hit by a driver who ran through the red stop arm when the bus was stopped. The students were attempting to cross the road to get on the bus when the driver didn?Äôt stop. I don?Äôt know what the driver was doing or why he didn?Äôt stop, but this is any parent?Äôs nightmare when their children are getting on a bus.
Just last week when meeting with our bus company, they informed me of a number of instances on highway 15 alone of people running through the stop arm when children are about to get onto the bus. This did not include the side roads where this has been occurring as well. The school district needs your help in getting the message out to all drivers that we need to slow down and not put students in harm?Äôs way when trying to get onto a school bus. We can have an all-day discussion on people?Äôs driving habits, but there is no excuse for driving around a stop arm on a school bus. Minnesota law states, ?ÄúMotorists must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is displaying red flashing lights or its stop arm is extended when approaching from the rear and from the opposite direction on undivided roads.?Äù So please, be aware of your surroundings when on the road. Make sure to think about the time of day you are on the road as well. Buses will be on the road starting at 6:30 a.m. through 8 a.m. as well as 3 p.m. through 4:30 p.m. Everyone?Äôs help will be appreciated to get this to stop.
In much more exciting news, it is already that time of year as we are planning for our pre-school and kindergarten round-up. This is an exciting time for all of these children. Our program has continued to grow and become more dynamic. The date of the round up is Thursday, Feb. 9, at the elementary building starting at 6 p.m. If you have children at that age and want to see what it is all about, stop in and take a look. I know you will be impressed with the staff and the programing they offer students.
That is all I have for now. Enjoy the weekend and keep watching the success of the students. Have a great day. GO CUBS!