Snowstorm Creates Confusion at CCS
by Rowan Beck,
November 18, 2010, page 5.....

On November 8, 2010, a nasty snowstorm wreaked havoc during pick up at Charlotte Central School. Co-principal Greg Marino referred to it as the “perfect storm.” They were short handed at the end of the day, more cars were arriving for pick up and phone calls poured in. “It was a series of unfortunate events. Audrey (Co-principal Audrey Boutaugh) and I were not available, and some key people were not in place.” He concluded that if there had been more adults available it would have been smoother.
On the east side of the school, traffic was backed up beyond the stop sign on the Charlotte-Hinesburg road. Due to the weather, Naomi Strada was fielding many last minute phone calls and trying to locate students so they wouldn’t get on the buses. This created more traffic around the school during an already busy time.
Another unfortunate event: the pink bus went off the road at the intersection of Guinea Road and One Mile Road while taking students home. Eleven students were on the bus, and none were injured. “The pink bus was coming to a T, the driver gently applied the breaks, nice and easy, and slid right off (the road),” Marino explained. The purple bus was sent to pick up the remaining children.
Despite all that happened, the co-principals led to a positive outcome. A meeting was held the following day to discuss the events. The outcome was three helpful hints: On nasty days let your kids ride the bus and don’t change from your regular plan if your children ride the bus. “When you call at the last minute to make a switch, it creates a flurry of activity when trying to get the kids home safely,” Greg said seriously. Statistically, it is proven that children are actually safer on the bus than in a private car during these times (see nhtsa.gov). Lastly, follow pick-up etiquette. Children should only be picked up at the flagpole on the east side of the school, not the door outside the multipurpose room or at the cafeteria door on the west side. When children are picked up outside the multipurpose room door, it breaks the flow of traffic. On slippery, snowy days it creates more of a hazard, putting children at risk. The snow season is upon us and a little more patience is required. Remember that the children’s safety is always a main concern at Charlotte Central School.