As a parent, nothing is as important in life as the safety and well being of my children. That's why it wasn't surprising to hear today from so many angry parents of Belle Valley Elementary School students.

Many disputed some of the facts provided by Millcreek School District officials in a story in today's Erie Times-News about a school bus accident that occurred Wednesday. Eight Millcreek sixth-graders were treated by doctors for injuries they suffered when a school-bus driver slammed on his brakes and sent them flying forward in the bus.

The kids were on their way to their school when the accident occurred. Several parents claim the bus driver simply let the kids off in front of the school and never went in to report the incident. In fact, it wasn't until more than an hour later when one of the student's teachers noticed him holding his stomach. She asked the boy if anything was wrong, and that's when the story about the accident came out.

When the teacher reportedly took the boy to the nurse's office, a half-dozen other kids sporting assorted bumps and bruises were lined up in the office. All had been passengers on the bus that morning.

"No accident report had been filed and the story the bus driver told was complete baloney," said Lou Norman, an angry parent of a 12-year-old boy. "Talk to the kids and you'll get the true story."

Fortunately, none of the sixth graders was seriously injured, although a few will likely miss a couple of days of school as they recover from bruised ribs, etc.

The lesson to be learned from this story is that, when it comes to their children's health, parents won't be satisfied with anything but the truth. Times-News reporters Kara Rhodes and Steven Sweeney, who compiled the story in today's newspaper, are following it up for future editions. And Millcreek police say they will continue their investigation of the incident.

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-- Kevin Cuneo