Children are at RISK....in small-town Georgia
April 1, 2013 UPDATE: The report is out - Georgia remains the Nation's leader in Child Fatalities at the School Bus Loading/Unloading Zone (Bus Stop).
Georgia leads the NATION in child fatalities - according to the "National School Bus Loading and Unloading Survey," performed by the Kansas State Department of Education - School Bus Safety Education Unit (see informational links). The creation of this website was triggered when - after reporting a potential child endangerment issue - the author's sister was fired from her job as a School Bus Driver from the Morgan County School system - in Madison, Georgia - a quaint little southern town off of I-20, about an hour's drive east of Atlanta - on the way to Augusta. Month's prior to his sister being fired, Madison became a big bleep on our Nation's radar screen.
Madison made National Headlines in February of 2011 - Oprah's OWN, Ann Curry from NBC's 'Today Show' and 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' and several other networks shed light on the courage of a little 9-year old girl named Anaiah. Why all the coverage for this little girl in this tiny southern town?
Anaiah saved her sister from being hit by a truck, early one rainy morning, when they both attempted to cross a three-lane highway to catch their school bus.
After shoving her sister out of harm's way, the little hero became the victim and was found not breathing when an Angel arrived. Fortunately, Loretta Berryman - a School Bus driver for another route - was passing by and saw Anaiah lying on the ground - lifeless, not breathing. Mrs. Berryman performed CPR and little Anaiah made a gasp for air. After several surgeries, Anaiah would later leave the hospital without a leg and without a kidney.
AFTER the accident, the Morgan County School system changed the "Loading and Unloading Zone" (i.e, school bus stop).
According to the Morgan County Schools February 14, 2011, Board of Education Meeting minutes "Operations Report Feb 2011," which includes a section for Transportation: "2. We changed a route on North Main Street so students will not need to cross the street to catch the bus."
At the time of the tragic incident, Anaiah lived with her expecting Mom and her sister...on North Main Street...but had to cross 3-lanes of traffic to catch the bus.
Georgia leads the NATION in child fatalities - according to the "National School Bus Loading and Unloading Survey," performed by the Kansas State Department of Education - School Bus Safety Education Unit (see informational links). The creation of this website was triggered when - after reporting a potential child endangerment issue - the author's sister was fired from her job as a School Bus Driver from the Morgan County School system - in Madison, Georgia - a quaint little southern town off of I-20, about an hour's drive east of Atlanta - on the way to Augusta. Month's prior to his sister being fired, Madison became a big bleep on our Nation's radar screen.
Madison made National Headlines in February of 2011 - Oprah's OWN, Ann Curry from NBC's 'Today Show' and 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' and several other networks shed light on the courage of a little 9-year old girl named Anaiah. Why all the coverage for this little girl in this tiny southern town?
Anaiah saved her sister from being hit by a truck, early one rainy morning, when they both attempted to cross a three-lane highway to catch their school bus.
After shoving her sister out of harm's way, the little hero became the victim and was found not breathing when an Angel arrived. Fortunately, Loretta Berryman - a School Bus driver for another route - was passing by and saw Anaiah lying on the ground - lifeless, not breathing. Mrs. Berryman performed CPR and little Anaiah made a gasp for air. After several surgeries, Anaiah would later leave the hospital without a leg and without a kidney.
AFTER the accident, the Morgan County School system changed the "Loading and Unloading Zone" (i.e, school bus stop).
According to the Morgan County Schools February 14, 2011, Board of Education Meeting minutes "Operations Report Feb 2011," which includes a section for Transportation: "2. We changed a route on North Main Street so students will not need to cross the street to catch the bus."
At the time of the tragic incident, Anaiah lived with her expecting Mom and her sister...on North Main Street...but had to cross 3-lanes of traffic to catch the bus.
Two angels grew their wings that day....but they should NEVER have had to take flight.
The Mission...
- To share knowledge and increase parent and community member awareness of the risks to our children at the school bus stop.
- To hold Local School Boards and Administration accountable for not adhering to mandated or recommended best practices.
- To persistently urge Federal and State Departments of Education, Local Boards of Education and School Administration to be vigilant and actively engaged in
frequent monitoring of child safety procedures and implementation of preventative measures and improvements to minimize risk to the safety of our children.
- To keep a watchful eye over Local School Board and School Administration decisions and actions that are NOT in support of effective school
system management and fair treatment of students and school system employees.
- To obtain support from elected officials, Law Enforcement and Federal-level oversight committees to monitor the actions of local School Boards.
- To hold Local School Boards and Administration accountable for not adhering to mandated or recommended best practices.
- To persistently urge Federal and State Departments of Education, Local Boards of Education and School Administration to be vigilant and actively engaged in
frequent monitoring of child safety procedures and implementation of preventative measures and improvements to minimize risk to the safety of our children.
- To keep a watchful eye over Local School Board and School Administration decisions and actions that are NOT in support of effective school
system management and fair treatment of students and school system employees.
- To obtain support from elected officials, Law Enforcement and Federal-level oversight committees to monitor the actions of local School Boards.
Will YOU join the Mission?
Petition to Implement and Enforce Child Safety Programs in Georgia School Bus Transportation
Petition to Implement and Enforce Child Safety Programs in Georgia School Bus Transportation