THE TURNING WHEEL
STAR AND STRANDTransportation
Volume10 NUMBER33
June 14, 2012
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From Jay’s Desk:
I would like to thank all of you who attended our cookout….and all of you who couldn’t make it. It was a pleasure to serve you, since you serve me all year long. Please don’t ever construe my absences for apathy.
I am always available with a knock on the door. You all are integral parts of “our” success. I respect and appreciate all you do. You are the best and consequently so are we.
Sincerely,
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Star and Strand Summer Barbeque
Saturday, July 7th
12 noon to ????
Claudia’s house in Castleton
Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, salads, etc.
Bring a dish to share
Bring your own chair
All employee’s and families are invited
Activities include use of the pool, basketball, horse shoes, etc.
Cost for the barbeque is $2.00 per person (payable in advance)
Shuttle bus will be available from Troy
Cost to ride the shuttle bus is $3.00 per person
Directions are available at the office from Claudia.
Our annual picnic at Claudia’s is always a fun time for all!!
Sign up in the office by June 30th.
Dear Drivers and monitors:
Once again we are fast approaching the completion of another school year and we would like to take the time to thank each and every employee for a job well done. At times the job you do seems to be a thankless one. However, at the end of each day when everyone is home safe and sound we share the same sense of pride knowing just how well you got the job done.
This past school year proved to be just as challenging as previous years as we struggle to overcome the many difficulties that we face on a day to day basis. You, as a team player at Star and Strand are given much of the credit for your cooperation during some particularly trying times. Your resourcefulness and sense of team play was the key (once again) to this school year's success.
We realize that a "Thank You" is a small reward for you effort and diligent work, but we want you to know that it is greatly appreciated when you jump in and help out during trying times. It is a great relief when employees offer solutions to problems that crop up out of nowhere, especially when we are short drivers or monitors and it has already been a hectic day.
Meanwhile, it is great having you on our team and because of you, Star and Strand is the best private school bus contractor in the tri cities area. Star and Strand has a great reputation in the area, and this is primarily due to your efforts.
Thank you for coming to work properly dressed, on time and ready to go. Thanks also for having a good line of communications with your schools, students, parents and the office. Thanks too for keeping track of your school schedules. Thanks for pre-tripping your vehicles and keeping it clean. Thanks for signing on the radio in the morning and stopping in at the office, garage or northern lot without being begged or threatened. Thanks also for handing in your paper work in a timely fashion. Thanks to those drivers who answered the radios when we called. Thanks to all the employees who came to work every day. Thanks to all the drivers and monitors for delivering all the children to school and home safely every day. Thanks to all of you for your cooperation.
On a final note: all drivers should make sure that your vehicle is clean inside and outside, fueled and fluids are checked. Take out all personal belongings. Return to the office all EZ passes, car seats, booster seats and harnesses. If you have a diesel bus, leave fuel card in glove box. If you are not working for the summer, check with us about when and where to return your vehicle. We want all our vehicles to be fresh and clean for the start of the summer. Many will not be used and will be parked for the summer. If you are working for the summer, we will contact you as soon as runs are ready. Drivers, please plan on setting aside some time to do your dry run.
Thank you and have a great summer.
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Summer work……
We will not have any information before June 26th for the summer runs. Please don’t ask, we will let you know as soon as we can. Remember, if you have special requests, let us know. ALSO MOST SUMMER RUNS ARE ONLY 4 HOURS!!! If you must have more than 4 hours per day, we probably won’t be able to accommodate your request.
Employee’s of the month for May:
Janis Gray – Driver of the month
Sheila Castle – Driver of the month
Mary Fero – Monitor of the month
Yesenia Gutierrez – Monitor of the month
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Each employee received a scratch off prize ticket to redeem for a gift, plus a Star and Strand Tee Shirt.
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ABOUT OUR NEWSLETTER:
We will have one final issue of the newsletter next week for the 2011-2012 School year. We hope that you enjoy reading it and find the newsletter enjoyable and informative. We are not sure if we will have a newsletter in the summer. Check out the website or facebook to find out!!
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School Bus Road-eo
Congratulations to Bus #20 driver Wendy who took 2nd place in the School Bus Road-eo. Congratulations to Bus #8 driver Zoe who tied for 3rd place.
Drivers who participated were: Zoe Jones, Gloria Falls, Wendy PaquinGladd, Nick Kamburelis and DonataGervasio
We hear that everyone had a good job.
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End of the year
Star and Strand
BARBEQUE
We hope that everyone who attended had a good time.
Thanks to Claudia and everyone else who helped with set up and cleanup.
Special thanks to Big John, Little John, Lynn, Zoe, J.C., Tom L., Melissa B., Donata and Jean C.
Thanks also to our guest chef Jay!!
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MONITOR PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE TESTS
We will continue our physical performance tests for monitors during the next few weeks.
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Star and Strand is the home of the:
2010 New York State School Bus Safety 3rd Place winner Scott Thorner
2010 Capital Area Chapter School Bus Safety Road-eo Champion Zoe Jones.
2009 Capital Area Chapter School Bus Safety Road-eo champion Gloria Falls
2008 Capital Area Chapter School Bus Safety Road-eo champion Scott Thorner
2007 New York State School Bus Safety Road-eo Champion MechellLamarche
Star and Strand Transportation Inc. was named one of “8 great fleets across America for 2008” according to School Bus Fleet Magazine.
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We would like to wish a very happy birthday to our employees:
June
27-Dick Piel4-Ann Fogarty
5-Melissa Banaszewski16-ArlowlenePetrone
27-Isabel Harding26-Winnie Domey
6-Diane Williams1-Mary Jo Carlo
22-Tonia Townsend
July
14-Carol Boisclair6-T-Boy Collins
20-Jenny Cunningham30-Tom Lavigne
6-Coleen Mahar Williams29- Chris Sifka
9-Lynn Dearstyne5-Jan Thomas
3-Jay Schneider14-John Searles
12-Tammy Brady12-Michelle Riddle
17-Melissa Pointer19-Brenda Conyers
29-Mary Fero19-Germay Ray Lucus
28-Amanda Ash21-Laverne Laware
August
10-Chris Beaudoin10-Ann Marie Jones
3-Sharon Kennedy17-Trish Fernet
13-Kristen Sawyer12-Lisa Deerfield
10-Towanna Williams10-Dave Kent
28-Jason Watington16-Donna Cole
30-Wendy PaquinGladd24-Lynn Waters
23-Mark Kehn29- Debbie Dockery
12-Jean Curtis17-John Randolph
30-James Rolfe26-Aleah Harris
8-Sharon Wells
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DRIVERS Physicals due in June, July and August: Contact Roxannfor days and times that you can do your physical. We will contact you for the day and time to do your “Behind the Wheel”, “Defensive Driving” and “Physical Performance test”.
Laurie Bankston-June 25thTowanna Williams-June 25th
Jim Simpson-June 18thSheila Williams-June 7th
John Evers-July 5thKim Hagen-July 17th
Josie Romero-July 9thBetty Ayotte-August 16th
Patty Burke-August 15thDonna Cole-August 22nd
Marilyn Muckle-August 30thLynn Purcell-August 27th
Kristen Sawyer-August 9thSandy Sawyer-August 28th
Jason Watington-August 24th
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Physicals;
Beginning this summer, all new drivers will be required to have a DOT physical when we hire them instead of 19A physical. Also, this year we will let our current drivers get a DOT or a 19A physical. Beginning in fall of 2013( 1 year from September), most of our drivers will be required to have a DOT physical.
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Employee Anniversaries
Chris Beaudoin18 yearsJune 18, 1994
Sandy Peckham33 yearsJuly 7, 1979
Holly Gigliotti10 yearsJuly 10, 2002
Janis Gray9 yearsJuly 7, 2003
Tom Lavigne7 yearsJuly 11, 2005
Jason Watington1 yearJuly 21, 2011
Bob Malaro1 yearJuly 25, 2011
Betty Ayotte1 yearJuly 29, 2011
Kris Mcloughlin23 yearsJuly 1989
John Searles11 yearsJuly 20, 2001
Anne Becker33 yearsAugust 15, 1979
Patty Burke3 yearsAugust 15, 2009
Wilton Gordon1 yearAugust 5, 2011
Stephanie Leslie1 yearAugust 15, 2011
Donna Cole1 yearAugust 15, 2011
Sandy Sawyer1 yearAugust 20, 2011
Germay Ray Lucus3 yearsAugust 1, 2009
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School and office Closings:
REGENTS – CHECK WITH YOUR STUDENTS!!!!!
At this time of the year, drivers must check with their schools for last days, ½ days, etc.
50/50 tickets available:
Drawings take place every Friday at 2:30 PM
Winning ticket for June 8thwas bus #42driverJim Simpson. J.C.’s sharewas $90.00 We gave out 75% of the pot this week.
Proceeds from the 50/50 is used to offset cost of social committee gifts, breakfasts other activities. Employees who purchase tickets on a regular basis will receive additional discounts on these events.
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Accident Packets:
All buses and vans should now have new accident packets in their buses. They are located in the glove box of the vans and should be mounted overhead in the buses. If you are involved in an accident, please follow directions and when you can, please complete the accident packets. Any questions, speak to Scott.
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New key tags:
We are working on color coding our key tags for the office, garage and drivers. If you have any extra sets of keys for your vehicle or any star and strand vehicle, please return to the office. If you borrow the keys from the office or garage, please return back to the same place.
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STAR AND STAND WEBSITE - WE HAVE UPDATED OUR WEBSITE!!!!!!
We update the site on a regular basis.
Become a member of the website to get email updates.
Don’t for forget to check out our website
You can access our website: Starandstrand.com
Our website contains: school bus driver news, current weeks newsletter, funny stuff, pictures, videos, web polls, etc.
If you would like to submit something for the website, send an email to .
STAR AND STRAND WEBSITE IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE
STAR AND STRAND SOCIAL COMMITTEE.
Star and Strand Transportation is on
face book. Join us!!! Hear the news first.
See pictures from our events.
Become a member of our group:
Star and Strand Transportation Inc. We already have 64 members.
Congratulations:
We put the names of all the drivers and monitors who had perfect attendance, no accidents, no lateness, no calls, followed all the rules, were courteous and professional, etc. into a hat and pulled out one driver and one monitor who will receive a gift card. We are doing this every month.
The winners for MAY were:
Michele Riddle and Trish Fernet
Each received a Price Chopper gift card from the Star and Strand social Committee.
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Bill Cox cooks out!!
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Wanted- Person to video trainings:
We are looking for someone willing to video tape our trainings and refresher meetings. We have the video camera or you can use your own. You will get paid for doing the videotaping. See Scott if you are interested.
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Friends and Family at Bill’s house.
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Please return all car seats, harnesses, ez passes, gas cards, etc. at the end of your last day of schools. Also, clean your bus, fuel your bus and take all personal items out of your bus!!
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All employees may vote team of the year (must have been monitor/driver of the month during 2011 or 2012 and both worked together for at least one school year).
Vote for Team of the year
All employees may vote for their top 3 choicesfor team of the year
1-1st choice 2- 2nd choice 3- 3rd choice
Bus #95Jason Watington and Debbie Dockery
Bus #35Edwin Santiago and Maria Santiago
Bus #17Marilyn Muckle and Amanda Ash
Bus #80Bill Cox and Mary Fero
Bus 116Mike Rivera and Aixa Rivera
Bus #75Sheila Williams and Michelle Riddle
Bus #37Carol Boisclair and Robin Sousis
Bus #41Chris Beaudoin and Renee Coghill
Bus #93Sandy Peckham and Mary Bryant
Bus #8Zoe Jones and John Searles
Bus #96JoElla Tucker and Patricia Lewis
Bus #43Muriel Oswald and Rachelle Hamlett
Bus #73Jenny Cunningham and Howard Webb
Bus #29Colleen Mahar Williams and Tara Abrams
Bus #100Dave Wheeler and Connie Roulier
Ballot for employees of the year -
Ballot due to Scott by June 22nd. Winners announced at the summer refresher meetings.
Vote for driver and monitor of the year on back of this page!!
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Scott gets out of bed in the morning to go to work!!!!!
Claudia brings her homemade brownies to the garage!!
Vote for Drivers of the year
These employees were drivers of the month (September 2010- May 2012)
All employees may vote for their top 3 choices for driver of the year
1-1st choice2- 2nd choice3- 3rd choice
Bus #113Janis Gray
Bus #24Sheila Castle
Bus #20WendyPaquinGladd
Bus #95Jason Watington
Bus #35Edwin Santiago
Bus #28Robert Seeley
Bus #17Marilyn Muckle
Bus #46Dana Williams
Bus #107Josh Dinardo
Bus #45Jan Thomas
Bus #80Bill Cox
Bus #22Sandy Sawyer
Bus #116Mike Rivera
Bus #14 Christine Willis
Bus #39Tom Lavigne
Bus #75Sheila Williams
Bus #37 Carol Boisclair
Bus #41Chris Beaudion
Buds #7T-boy Collins
Bus #73Jenny Cunningham
Van #106John Evers
Bus #8Zoe Jones
Bus #29Colleen Mahar Williams
Bus #43Muriel Oswald
Bus #93Sandy Peckham
Bus #85Josie Romero
Bus #20Kristen Sawyer
Bus #42Jim Simpson
Bus #96JoElla Tucker
Bus #100David Wheeler
Bus #87Trish Fernet
Bus #108Beth Delsignore
How to decide:
Excellent attendance, helps out when needed (you hear them on the radio offering to help). Keeps bus clean, courteous to students, parents, other drivers and office.
Just the kind of driver you would like your child to have. Neat appearance and good personal hygiene.
Vote for Monitor of the year
These employees were monitors of the month (September 2011 – May 2012)
All employees may vote for their top 3 choices monitor of the year
1-1st choice 2- 2nd choice 3- 3rd choice
Bus #73Howard Webb
Bus #16Jennifer Ashley
Bus #88Jakara Martin
Bus #101Jennifer Smith
Bus #96Patricia Lewis
Bus #51Bernadette Crandall
Bus #41Renee Coghill
Bus #17Amanda Ash
Bus #75Michelle Riddle
Bus 35Maria Santiago
Bus #116Aixa Rivera
Bus #5Sue Bielawa
Bus #23Jean Curtis
Bus #89Chemiere Jones
VOTE FOR TEAM OF THE YEAR ON BACK OF THIS PAGE!!