Gardian Angel School Bus Lighting System Saves Lives
Although riding the school bus is typically a very safe and popular mode of transportation for students, getting on and off the bus has proven to be a bit of a risk. Each year there are numerous incidents of drivers illegally passing school buses which can, and have, resulted in the injury or death of students.
Fortunately, thanks to the innovation of Steve Gardner — a former bus and fleet mechanic and supervisor — and the marketing skills of his son Andrew Gardner, a product is on the market to help reduce illegal passing and to keep students safe and seen.
Gardian Angel Pedestrian School Bus Lighting System is an exterior lighting system that can easily be attached to all school buses on the market. Also, as different states require different specifications about product additions, Gardian Angel, LLC has developed multiple product lines to meet those varied needs.
Although the specifications might vary depending on state, the premise of the system itself is the same. The product includes one or two 1,000-lumen white LED floodlights that shine out the sides of the bus from the bumper. The light is aimed at the ground so that it will not blind motorists or pedestrians surrounding the bus, and it reaches 18-20 feet.
When the red stop lights activate, the lighting system activates as well, creating a lit path in which the student can walk. Once the student is on the bus and the doors have closed, the lighting system turns off. There’s nothing extra that a bus driver needs to do in order to operate the system. In addition to the light that projects from the bumper, two red flashing strobe lights are also mounted on the front of the bus which makes it easier for cars to spot a stopped bus during daylight hours.
Gardian Angel was created on January 21, 2010 just hours after Steve saw a news story of a 15-year-old Sylvania student killed by a vehicle that was illegally passing the bus while the student was crossing to board the bus.
“As a parent of a daughter about the same age, it broke my heart,” Steve recalled. “After hearing the news, I kept thinking something has to be done to prevent this.” Right then, he started to sketch a design at the dinner table. After he developed the design, he shared it with his son, Andrew, who offered to use his marketing skills to assist in the project.
Going from idea to product proved to be a long and expensive process. Steve explained that the patented process is very expensive to start and to maintain, so he and his wife agreed to withdraw their life-savings in order to start the journey of Gardian Angel.
A prototype of the product was installed in 2010, and then a life-sized working model premiered at the national school bus trade show in 2011. The Gardners were rejected many times, and then learned that each state has its own laws and requirements for bus equipment, which made even more work for the growing small business. Over the years, the Gardners have been developing credibility with committees and officials, as well as demonstrating their technology across the country. And as of today, Gardian Angel is available in 25 states.
“So many people only see the success in others and don’t see the blood, sweat, and tears that occur behind closed doors,” says Andrew. “All the hard work is finally paying off, and it’s an honor not just to be recognized after all of the rejection throughout the years, but to be keeping your children safer every single day as they board the safest vehicle on the road.”
In fact, in the ten years since its creation, no child on a Gardian Angel installed bus has been struck, injured, or killed in the darkness. Find more information about Gardian Angel here.
Worst Case Scenario Survival Exhibit at Imagination Station
Prepare for the worst, hope for the best at Imagination Station’s newest exhibit. The Worst Case Scenario Survival Experience traveling exhibition opens February 11. Based on the best-selling Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook Series, the exhibit will offer opportunities to test survival skills in an immersive, hands-on, minds-on experience.
Learn what it takes to survive an avalanche, or a herd of elephants (anything is possible at this point). Disappointed by a lack of quicksand encounters? Here is your chance to test your quicksand survival theories in a 76,000-ball pit. The Worst Case Scenario Survival Experience isn’t all adventure movie caliber survival situations. There are opportunities to hone fine motor skills and sharpen focus. Use everyday materials to pick a variety of locks. Discover how your mind adjusts when your body is in a not-so-normal position by playing Upside Down Tic-Tac-Toe.
Worst-Case Scenario Survival Experience utilizes many of the same skills that are acquired through tinkering and making while building survival smarts. The challenges in the Worst Case Scenario Survival Experience present unexpected, but not impossible, scenarios. “Be prepared, don’t panic, have a plan” is the motto of the exhibit. The chances of having to jump from a moving train car are low, but never zero. Creative thinking and problem solving skills will be put to the test in an immersive and fun experience.
“It’s really a safe and playful way to activate the book and unleash your inner survival expert and your inner action hero,” adds co-author David Borgenicht.
Worst-Case Scenario Survival Experience is new to the lineup of fresh exhibitions coming to Imagination Station in 2022 and 2023. Future exhibits include Game Changers (May-September) and The Science of Guinness Book of World Records ™ (September-January 2023).
Admission to the Worst Case Scenario Survival Experience is free with paid admission or membership.
Tips to Support an Anxious Child: When to Seek Help
Anxiety is defined by Merriam Webster as a feeling of unease or nervousness that often goes along with an upcoming event or something with an uncertain outcome. This feeling typically will come with physical signs such as increased heart rate or muscle tension.
It is normal for children to have occasional feelings of anxiety when faced with something new, or if they must confront their fears. Just like adults, kids experience periods of sadness, nervousness, and hopelessness during childhood. As parents, we can support our kids while they have these episodes, and give them tools to work through them.
Many parents question the difference between anxiety in children due to typical developmental challenges, versus serious levels of anxiety that become cause for professional help.
For example, it is common for babies seven to nine months old to have anxiety about strangers. It is common for preschool age kids to be afraid of the dark, monsters and insects. School age kids often have anxious feelings about school and friends.
These feelings are expected for kids, and they are all a part of learning to manage the world around them. When these fears begin to interrupt their ability to learn, interact with peers, sleep at night, or function normally in daily life, it might be a sign that your child is dealing with an anxiety disorder.
“We sought professional help when anxiety caused self-harm or destructive behaviors,” notes Courtney DeBok, a mom of six. “Continued talks about what’s causing the anxiety help, but sometimes the child can’t identify what they are anxious about. This is also another reason it’s helpful to include a professional.”
Anxiety can appear at any age, but children experience these feelings much differently than adults. True anxiety can cause anger and aggression, bedwetting, changes in appetite, insomnia, fatigue, trouble focusing, irritability, muscle tension, nervous habits such as nail biting, restlessness, headaches, or stomach aches in children.
Anxious feelings can cause children to refuse to go to school or other activities or make them want to avoid situations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “7.1 percent of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 4.4 million) have diagnosed anxiety.” If your child is struggling with anxiety, the statistics show they are not alone.
Feelings of anxiousness protect us from dangerous situations and warn us when to avoid things that may put us at risk; this is the positive side of anxiety. However, an anxiety disorder can be debilitating and cause us to make decisions that are no longer protecting us.
Anxiety in children can be difficult to identify because it can appear to be a child acting out or behaving strangely rather than an underlying concern. For example, if your child is having anxiety about school, they may refuse to go, they may complain about a stomach ache and ask to see the nurse to get out of class, or they may act out and distract their peers.
If you feel that your child’s behavior is stemming from their anxiousness about a situation, try to understand where the problem stems from. “We ask questions that get them to discover the root of the worry themselves,” says a mom of three. She suggests using questions like, “What are you most afraid of happening in this situation?” This will help kids determine the root of the problem. “If they don’t know what scares them, we walk through a possible scenario of the whole event and stop when they get to the scary part so we can further discuss it.”
Darcy King, mom of two says, “We use a lot of grounding techniques. For example, name five things you see, five things you hear, five things you feel. We also use deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation videos that can be found on Youtube.”
Olathe mom of three, Amy Cameron says “I finally asked my kids if they felt like talking to a therapist, and I was surprised how well they were able to articulate what they were going through. It helped a lot.”
No one will argue that anxious feelings are normal on occasion for both kids and adults. When these feelings interfere with school work, activities, relationships, and family life, or if they become unmanageable, it may be time to seek professional help.
If your child is threatening to hurt themselves or others, or if their behavior feels scary or out of control, seek out a professional immediately.
A therapist will likely be able to give you and your child tools to manage the anxiety in a healthy way, identify the root of the problem, determine symptoms and triggers, and prescribe medication if needed. This will help anxiety become manageable and leave your child feeling healthier and happier.
Sarah Lyons is a mom of six children, including seven year old triplets. She lives in Kansas City with her family.
Glass City Federal Credit Union Scholarships
The Glass City Federal Credit Union is offering five scholarship awards for the 2022-2023 school year.
Glass City FCU has provided financial services to the Northwest Ohio area since 1947. They have over 28,000 members, all of whom live or work in Lucas, Wood, Fulton and Ottawa counties. They offer rates on auto loans, mortgages and Visa credit cards. Immediate family members of Glass City FCU members may be eligible for member status.
The credit union is awarding one $2,500 scholarship and four $1,000 scholarships for local eligible students. Glass City Federal Credit Union employees, immediate family members of employees and Board of Directors members are not eligible to apply.
Scholarships from the Glass City FCU are available for students attending a two-year or four-year accredited institution for the 2022-2023 school year. Students must have a parent or legal guardian that is a member of the Glass City FCU or be a member of the credit union themselves.
Glass City FCU offers a Student Banking plan for prospective members aged 16-22 that provides a free checking/savings accounts, a free Visa debit/ ATM card, mobile and online banking resources and the Smart Option Student Loan Program.
An application must be filled out and a personal essay written following a given prompt. The application and essay will be reviewed anonymously by the Glass City community business partners.
The scholarship application and required essay are due by March 31st, 2022. Scholarship winners will be notified May 1st, 2022 and scholarships will be paid to respective colleges no later than August 2022. Applications can be obtained from any of the five branches in Toledo, Bowling Green or Maumee. Online printable applications can be found here.
Education on Cerebral Palsy
The Birth Injury Justice Center has shared resources to help parents and families grappling with a cerebral palsy diagnosis.
The Birth Injury Justice Center was founded in 2003 to provide resources and legal information for children and families who have suffered from birth-related injuries. Their mission is to educate and support those affected by medical negligence resulting in injuries at birth, offering an extensive resource for parents who have a child diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.
Cerebral Palsy is a movement disorder that affects the brain’s motor functions, and it develops due to brain damage received shortly before or at the time of birth. The disorder affects many parts of the body with varying levels of severity for every case. There is no cure for Cerebral Palsy; however, there are medications and motor skill therapy options to increase brain function and improve the quality of life for those who suffer from this disorder.
The Birth Injury Justice Center provides potential causes and examples of medical negligence that could have occured to result in a child developing Cerebral Palsy. They also offer information on the different types, symptoms, early signs and life expectancy of those with Cerebral Palsy. All medical information from this resource has been verified by Beth Carter, A registered nurse and legal nurse consultant.
Information is also available for therapy, medication and potential surgery if necessary. The Birth Injury Justice Center can help connect families to financial assistance programs for treatments and therapy if needed.
Case reviews are offered for those who feel they may be entitled to financial compensation due to medical negligence at the time of birth. More information and 24/7 live chat is available at the Birth Injury Justice Centers website.