Who knew Chester County had a Bus Safety Competition?
+ bus pollution ☁️+ two local "Olympics" 💪🏼 + rubber ducks galore + more
Chester County Bus Safety Competition
Why is this bus parked diagonally across the intersection? Oh, no biggie; just doing a 3-point turn with a gigantic yellow school bus to get our kids home from school safely. 😮 A tree fell (again…) across our road this week and took a tangle of power lines with it (again…) so the bus couldn’t follow its regular route.
Just an hour before school let out, the UCF transportation team called an audible to ensure all students arrived home safely despite the road closure. As usual, the last-minute play call adjustment went off without a hitch.
In honor of our beloved local bus drivers and the UCF transportation team taking such great care of the kids in our community (including children who attend school at some 50-60+ locations (!!) other than the six UCF public schools1), I thought I’d share a few fun facts about our Big Yellow Bus Friends that I learned near the end of a very lengthy school board meeting2 a couple of weeks ago.
Whether you have children who ride the school buses or not, school bus drivers play a crucial role in the lives of the children in our community. As school board member Jody Allen mentioned at the aforementioned board meeting, they are the first and last district employees to interact with the children in our community each day.
Here are some fun facts that surprised me. Maybe these little nuggets of civic information will impress you, too.
UCF vehicles travel about 4,500 miles daily (that’s to Los Angeles and halfway home!). Isn’t that impressive? And also a lot of butts in seats... 😧
P.S. Wouldn’t it be nice if all those miles came from electric buses that didn’t spew pollution right where our children breathe while they wait for the bus every day? Too bad the U.S. Exxon-and-friends Protection Agency (EPA) “mysteriously” froze disbursement of the already-awarded $1 million grant promised to the district for electric buses.3 Thanks for nothing…
Two mechanics service 92 district vehicles, including semi-annual maintenance inspections for each vehicle. That’s a lot of work!
The Pennsylvania School Bus Association hosts an annual school bus safety competition for bus drivers. Chester County hosts its local competition, and the top 10 competitors advance to the state competition. None of the UCF drivers finished in the top 10 this year, but several had strong performances. Did you know there was a “Bus Driver Olympics"? It was news to me!
Our boys have had the same elementary school bus driver, Mr. Gary, since starting kindergarten at Chadds Ford Elementary. He greets them with a smile each day, and knows my name even though I only hang out at the bus stop once in a while. I've been genuinely impressed by his commitment to the kids since we've known him.
Here's a big thank you to all the bus drivers and transportation team who keep our kids safe while they get to and from school daily. 🚌
Are you game for the Delco Senior Games?
Do you know someone who is willing to admit they’re over 50 and enjoys a friendly competition? Tell them to check out the Delco Senior Games. I think we missed the registration deadline, but maybe they’ll accept late sign-ups? Or mark your calendar for next year!
I just heard about it, or I would have passed it along sooner. It sounded too fun not to share about anyway. Maybe you can be a spectator this year. The events take place from June 9 - 20 and include fun competitions in:
Bocce
Bowling (Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Team)
Corn Hole
9-Hole Golf (walking course)
18-Hole Golf
Free Throw Competition (Basketball)
Horseshoes
Miniature Golf
Pickleball (Doubles, Mixed Doubles)
Shuffleboard
Swimming
Table Tennis
Track & Field
Wii Bowling
Who doesn’t love a lot of rubber duckies for charity?
Want to win $1,000 racing rubber ducks for clean water? I mean… is anyone going to say no to that? Register to run a 5K and/or race some rubber ducks to protect Chester Creek in and around Newlin Grist Mill.
If you haven't yet hiked at Newlin Grist Mill or explored it, I highly recommend it. We’ve been a few times. It always impresses me how we can feel enveloped in calming nature, just a short distance from highways like Route 1.
Check out more information in the flyer below, and consider joining in the fun to support a clean watershed in our community. 💦
Sensational Summer Kickoff in Concord Township
We may not pay our taxes to Concord Township, but they’re gracious enough to let us attend most of their community events. 🥰 Take advantage of this fun community event on June 8th that’s right next door to Chadds Ford (and practically in our backyard for some of us). They’re hosting events for all ages.
Solar for Schools projected to save UCF $2.2 million 💰
You know I’m a fan of rooftop solar, having interviewed Rob Santoleri of Terrasol Energies. UCF is getting in on the solar action, too! 🌞 The district recently learned that it will receive almost $300k from the Solar for Schools Grant, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
Director of Facilities James Whitesel said, “This solar array will defray 25% of the school’s annual electricity consumption, a current savings of $71,000 per year. At that rate, the project will pay for itself in five years and will result in a 25-year lifetime savings of $2.2 million taxpayer dollars.”
As I mentioned previously, solar not only saves costs but also offers budget predictability. Rays from the sun are free, so energy prices remain steadier than relying on utility power prices. Who’s next on the solar train? 🙋🏼
Looking ahead
Here are a few other events you might want to add to your calendar. Several require registration in advance.
T’ai Chi Chih in the Courtyard | Sat. May 31 from 9 - 10 am at Brandywine Museum of Art
Chadds Ford Plant Sale and Seed Swap | Sat. May 31 from 10 am - 1 pm at the Chadds Ford Township Pavilion
Ms. Brooke’s Music Class (children’s music performance) | Sat. May 31 at 10 am at Concord Township Park
Disco Cow Girl Ladies Night | May 31 at 4 pm at Shadow Creek Farm
Clover Market | Sat. June 1 from 10 am - 4 pm at 600 S Broad Street, Kennett Square
Free First Sundays for Families | Sun. June 1 at the Brandywine Museum of Art
Mah Jong Club | Tues. June 3 from 1 - 3 pm at Rachel Kohl Library
Knitting Club | Thurs. June 5 from 10 - 11:30 am at Rachel Kohl Library
Fluid Motion: Yoga & Art | Fri. Jun 6, 5 pm – 7 pm at The Yoga Space
Destination Unknown Live Music | Fri. June 6, 6 pm - 9 pm at Oso Sweet Bakery Cafe
Learn to Row with Unionville High School Crew | Sat. Jun 7, 9 am - 2 pm at Unionville Boathouse
Sensational Summer Kickoff (see flyer above for details) | Sun. June 8 from 8 am to 7 pm at Concord Township Park
Concord Farmers Market | Suns. June 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 9 am - 12 pm at Concord Township Park
Nature Sketch & Stroll | Sun. June 8 from 9:30 am - 12 pm at Brandywine Museum of Art
Delco Senior Games | Jun 9 - 20
Engineering Bootcamp for Kids | June 9 - 12 from 5 - 6 pm at Rachel Kohl Library
Race for the Watershed (Duck Derby & 5k) | Sat. June 14 from 9 am - 1 pm at Newlin Grist Mill
Pet Nail Trims | Sat. June 14 from 9 - 11 am at Brandywine Ace Pet & Farm
Plein Air Painting Workshop with Randall Graham | Sat. June 14 from 9:30 am - 4 pm at N.C. Wyeth Studio
PAWS for Reading | Sat. June 14 at 10:30 am at Rachel Kohl Library
Brews at the Battlefield | Sat. June 14, 5 pm - 8 pm at Brandywine Battlefield
Acupuncture & Yoga | Tue. June 17 from 6 - 8 pm at The Yoga Space
Plein Air Painting Workshop | Sun. June 22, 9:30 am - 4 pm at Andrew Wyeth Studio
T’ai Chi Chih in the Courtyard | Sat. June 28 from 9 - 10 am at Brandywine Museum of Art
Other events to add?
In the comments, feel free to share any other events happening in and around Chadds Ford that you think our neighbors will enjoy!
Chadds Ford Elementary, Hillendale Elementary, Pocopson Elementary, Unionville Elementary, Patton Middle School, and Unionville High School
May 12, 2025, Work Session
With a grant from EPA, the district contracted to purchase five electric buses in November 2024. Because the EPA appears to have reneged on its promise to the district (without clear communication), the school board voted on March 28, 2025, to terminate the previously signed contract for five electric buses and instead voted to purchase four diesel buses.
The diesel buses will cost the district more to purchase, have a shorter lifespan and lower residual value, and are more expensive to fuel. Due to the additional cost, the district elected to purchase only four replacement buses instead of five, which put the district behind schedule for regular school bus replacements.
Whether you love or hate the carbon and pollution that diesel buses puke into the air, diesel buses are more expensive for taxpayers. That our federal government is retracting funding already committed to projects and contractors is irresponsible and unethical. This should disappoint all of us.