Superintendent Helps Launch AAA's Back-to-School Campaign

Garden City schools superintendent Dr. Robert Feirsen recently helped AAA New York launch its 68th annual “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” campaign at AAA New York’s headquarters.

A huge 20’ x 2’ banner was been placed on the fence of Stewart Avenue School as a reminder to motorists to be extra careful as thousands of local youngsters returned to school. The Garden City Police Department placed additional posters around the village.

“The placement of the ‘School’s Open--Drive Carefully’ banner adds to the effectiveness of our campaign, is highly visible and was placed in a well-trafficked area,” said Donna Galasso, assistant director of the club’s Traffic Safety unit.  “The efforts of Superintendent Feirsen and Police Commissioner Jackson are truly commendable and will most definitely result in increased safety for all students.”

Galasso reminds drivers, including bicyclists, to be "especially cautious in school areas, keeping their speed at or below posted limits and being prepared to stop, on both sides of the street, for school buses with flashing red lights and stop arms, as required by New York State law."

The AAA “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” program began in New York State in 1945. Since then, it has helped to prevent injuries and deaths among children of elementary school age, according to AAA.