Post by title1parent on Aug 27, 2009 5:19:57 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=316814&src=76
Tough first day for kindergartner who gets on wrong bus
By Amanda Luevano | Daily Herald
A Winfield kindergarten student wandered onto the wrong school bus on her first day of school, fell asleep unnoticed, but eventually was delivered to her home safe and sound.
On that much, the girl's mother and school officials agree. But other details are in dispute.
Genevieve D'Augustino, mother of 5-year-old Gina Colosimo, says her daughter was supposed to be home from Pleasant Hill Elementary School at 12:05 p.m. Wednesday. But she did not arrive until at least an hour behind schedule. D'Augustino also says she was given different stories by school official as to what occurred.
"The child got on the wrong bus, and did fall asleep," said Robert Rammer, director of communications for Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200. "We're obviously not happy about the incident."
However, he said, the bus driver immediately notified school officials and was en route to the girl's home within 10 minutes.
"The child was never alone," Rammer said. "She was supervised at all times."
But that didn't mollify D'Augustino, who lives only minutes from the school.
"When she didn't come home, I started to worry and called the school," D'Augustino said. "I was totally hysterical."
School officials are still unsure how Gina ended up on the wrong bus, but would be taking precautions to avoid the same situation in the future, Rammer said.
"Getting acclimated to new surroundings is always a challenge," he said. "The staff tries to make sure everyone gets in the right line, but unfortunately this poor little girl got on the wrong bus."
The girl's mother said she was unhappy with the school's handling of the situation, and plans to seek legal counsel.
"They assured me that this would never happen again, but one time is one too many." D'Augustino said. "What if this happens to someone else's child?"
Tough first day for kindergartner who gets on wrong bus
By Amanda Luevano | Daily Herald
A Winfield kindergarten student wandered onto the wrong school bus on her first day of school, fell asleep unnoticed, but eventually was delivered to her home safe and sound.
On that much, the girl's mother and school officials agree. But other details are in dispute.
Genevieve D'Augustino, mother of 5-year-old Gina Colosimo, says her daughter was supposed to be home from Pleasant Hill Elementary School at 12:05 p.m. Wednesday. But she did not arrive until at least an hour behind schedule. D'Augustino also says she was given different stories by school official as to what occurred.
"The child got on the wrong bus, and did fall asleep," said Robert Rammer, director of communications for Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200. "We're obviously not happy about the incident."
However, he said, the bus driver immediately notified school officials and was en route to the girl's home within 10 minutes.
"The child was never alone," Rammer said. "She was supervised at all times."
But that didn't mollify D'Augustino, who lives only minutes from the school.
"When she didn't come home, I started to worry and called the school," D'Augustino said. "I was totally hysterical."
School officials are still unsure how Gina ended up on the wrong bus, but would be taking precautions to avoid the same situation in the future, Rammer said.
"Getting acclimated to new surroundings is always a challenge," he said. "The staff tries to make sure everyone gets in the right line, but unfortunately this poor little girl got on the wrong bus."
The girl's mother said she was unhappy with the school's handling of the situation, and plans to seek legal counsel.
"They assured me that this would never happen again, but one time is one too many." D'Augustino said. "What if this happens to someone else's child?"
