We have just submitted a petition to provide 100 percent transportation in the Jericho School District.

Last year, Jericho passed a proposition to provide students who live further than 2,200 feet away from their applicable elementary school with bus transportation. This year, we are asking for the support of the community to pass a proposition to provide busing to all our elementary school students.

There are approximately 2,900 students enrolled in Jericho schools, of which 185 elementary school students do not receive busing. One hundred one students are at George Jackson, 57 at Robert Seaman and 27 at Cantiague. In other words, 94 percent of Jericho has the option to bus their child, 6 percent does not have that option. Jericho should be an equal opportunity community.

Universal busing is a necessity for the safety of all of the children. It is unsafe for students to walk and cross busy streets. The issue last year was the safety of crossing over 106/107 Jericho Turnpike. Accidents can happen crossing busy streets near the school as well.

Jericho transportation policy states that all students in grades K-5 who reside more than 2,200 feet from the school and all middle and high school students are eligible for transportation. All other children who reside outside of these limits are designated "walkers." Not many parents would allow their kindergartner, first, second, or even third grader to walk to school. In addition to the safety issue of crossing busy streets, is the safety issue of the children walking alone. What if they are followed? What if a person tried to lure them into their vehicle?

Of course, there is safety in numbers, but with 80 percent of Jackson School students, 94 percent of Cantiague School students and 88 percent of Robert Seaman School students being bused, the remaining number of "walkers" is too small for safety. In essence, the phrase "walker" doesn't exist. More accurately, it's "car-pooler." When the district policy was originally implemented times were different. It was safe for children to walk to school. Unfortunately, today it is not. Times have changed.

The national safety council reported that children are 172 times safer on school buses than on passenger vehicles. "School transportation continues to be one of the safest forms of transportation," according to the National Highway Safety Administration. It is far safer to ride in a yellow bus than in the family car.

The option to bus your child should be available to everybody - not only those who live 2,200 feet away from the school. Last year the Board of Education derived 2,200 feet so that the Hamlet East wouldn't lose their right to busing. But this transportation limit divided East Birchwood, West Birchwood and Princeton Park. Literally, one may be living across the street, or next door to a homeowner who receives the right of busing while the other doesn't. Does that work in a community?

People are moving to Jericho from all over to be part of our superior school district. Parents should be demanding not only quality education, but safe transportation as well.

Last year we made progress in our effort by changing the transportation limits to 2,200 feet. This year let's continue moving Jericho forward. Let's stay competitive with our surrounding areas such as Syosset and Plainview who provide universal busing. This will help the entire Jericho student population. Any additional buses will be utilized at the middle school and high school. Passing this proposition for instance, will help those high school students who need an early morning bus. This will also alleviate the overcrowding of buses as well. Plus, it reduces the number of "car pooling" parents who enter and leave the school, thus tightening security, providing better monitoring.

It will cost $245,460 to provide 100 percent busing - costing the average Jericho homeowner $24 per year. We are talking about adding approximately four buses, perhaps less.

Some people feel that we should not provide busing for everyone because, at present, there is a shortage of bus drivers. This is a separate issue. If there was a shortage of teachers, would we not have classes? Certainly, the shortage of bus drivers is a problem that needs to be resolved. However, let's not use it as an excuse for delaying progress and a solution for the students who don't receive busing. Given the current economy, maybe there will be ample bus drivers. Wouldn't it be a shame if staffing the buses was resolved, but the proposition for universal busing wasn't passed? Our immediate attention should not focus on an administrative task but rather the safety and rights of our students. There will always be administrative issues. Administrative issues should not dictate policy.

There is an injustice in the busing policy. Shouldn't we do everything in our power to improve the current situation in our community? We hope that our neighbors will have some compassion for those residents who currently do not receive busing.

Let's help support each child and stand together as a community. Last year we all supported one another so that no one would lose their right to busing. This year, let's support each other again - but this time to give each child the right to receive busing - with no one left out.

Jericho residents can vote on May 15 at Jericho High School from noon - 10 p.m. for universal busing.

Amy Ramson, Rhonda Starr

East Birchwood, Jericho

I would like to share with you an experience that I had that reassures me about the kindness of strangers.

About two months ago, I was heading east on the LIE in the middle of a rainstorm at about 10 p.m. I was alone, except for my dog, Sparky. All of a sudden, there on the darkened road, my car began to overheat. I got off of the expressway at Exit 40 and managed to get myself to Concord Texaco in Jericho where my car just died.

The night manager, a fellow named Octay, was just closing up for the night. I asked if I could leave the car there until morning and he said of course, that would be fine, and drew my attention to the fact that a repair shop was right there. (I guess it's kind of lucky, if you have to break down at all, to do it in front of a repair shop).

Now having just finished work, Octay could have left me there and gone home, but he didn't.

Instead, he offered to go out of his way to drive me and my (somewhat wet) Shepherd mix-sized dog out to Sag Harbor (past Exit 70), even though he only goes as far as Exit 62 to get home.

I was able to get a friend to meet us off of Exit 70. Octay waited with me until my friend arrived. I offered to pay him but he refused to accept any money for his kindness and generosity.

It's good to know people like Octay exist in this world and you are lucky to have him there in Jericho. And if you happen to stop into Concord Texaco some evening, know that the guy giving you gas is a very special person.

Thank you for printing this letter. And thank you, Octay. I will never forget your helping me when I really needed help.

Stacy Kaufman