The Official Newsletter of the Lake of the Woods Association, Inc. Vol. 15, No 4
540.972.2237
LOWA.org
/LOWAssociation
August 18, 2017
School Bus Safety: Are You Doing Your Part?
by Chief Scott Walker, Allied Universal Security at LOW Orange County Public Schools open Monday, Aug. 28. Everyone has a significant role in being safe when school buses are on the road: not only the impatient motorist running late for work, but children waiting to board also play a huge role. On average, 26 children are killed each year in school bus-related accidents. Accidents of this type are preventable by simply following general laws and the safety rules of the Commonwealth. Motorist’s Role: When When approaching a school bus backing out of your driveway with flashing lights, the yellow flashing or travelling to and from lights indicate the bus is preparing to the gates, be mindful of stop. This is not an indication to speed children waiting at bus stops or walking to and from the up to avoid the wait. stops. Although children are instructed to look both ways, they could spontaneously wander into the street without looking, distracted or not. With our narrow roads and absence of sidewalks, children must walk in close proximity to traffic. Drive slowly and be prepared for the unexpected at all times. When approaching a school bus with flashing lights, the yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop. This is not an indication to speed up to avoid the wait. Elementary school-age children are easily distracted and have poor judgment of vehicle speeds and distances. You should make your stop no less than 20 feet from the bus. Flashing red lights displaying the deployed “STOP” sign are the indication that the bus is boarding or unloading children. Remain stationary until the “STOP” sign has been retracted and the red flashing lights have been turned off. Passing such a school bus is illegal and violators are subject to one year in jail, a $2,500 fine, and a suspended driver’s license. Allow yourself extra travel time during the school season and do your part in protecting our most valuable asset— children. Child’s Role: Naturally, children are physically active. This is normal and healthy, but in close proximity to traffic, this can become a life-threating situation. Children should never play games involving throwing or kicking any type of
ball, or any games that require chasing or tagging another child near a road. Always ensure that the bus has come to a complete stop, observe traffic in the immediate area, and make eye contact with the motorists to alert them that you will be boarding the stopped school bus. Walk, never run, and be vigilant of the hazards of crossing a street to board the bus. Be mindful of your behavior on the bus, which also contributes to your safe trip. Your bus driver has a difficult task navigating a large vehicle as well as monitoring passengers. Do your part by remaining seated while the bus is in transit, keep noise to a minimum and the aisles clear at all times.
See Buses on p. 6
Check out the Clubhouse Area Recreation Complex (CARC)FAQs on page 4.
Meet Woody the Chipmunk …and Take a Selfie! Woody the Chipmunk is a new critter in Lake of the Woods, and he needs your help to explore our community. You can find Woody on page 16. Color him in if you want and take him around the Lake with you to introduce him to all the great amenities our Lake has to offer. Young and old and everyone in between are encouraged to take a selfie with Woody and post it on Facebook. Be sure to tag us @LOWAssociation and we will share your photo on our page. We hear Woody might like to play some golf or try his hand at Pickleball; maybe catch a concert at Clubhouse Point; or play at one of our beaches or parks; how about taking him for a cruise on the lake. The possibilities are endless and Woody wants to see it all! The photo with the most likes from our page followers will be published in the September 15 Lake Currents. Deadline to enter is September 8.
President's Letter 2 Agenda 2 Association News 2-6 General Manager's Column 3 Board Minutes 3, 18-20 Calendar 9-10 Viewpoints 16 Orange County News 21 Classifieds 21-23
August 19 Family Field Day 6-9 PM, Sweetbriar Park
September 2 Equestrian Open House 10 AM-12 PM
August 24 Meet the Management 9 AM, Reading Room
LOW Water Ski Show 12 PM, Clubhouse Dock
August 25 Concert on the Point, 7 PM
September 4 Annual Meeting of the Membership 10 AM, Community Center
August 29 LOWA Special Board Meeting 2 PM, Community Center
Labor Day, Holcomb Building Closed LOW Compactor Closed
September 6 Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors 9 AM, Community Center County Waste Collection will be on Sept. 7 (instead of 9/6, due to holiday) Members: Lake Currents can be read online at: LOWA.org/Lake-Living/Lake-Currents