Parents worry about how long strike will last
By RYAN LAVIS and STEPHANIE SLEPIAN
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Crossing guards, teachers and police officers once again directed heavy traffic around Staten Island's schools as the yellow school bus strike entered its second day.
And even though things ran more smoothly on Thursday, frustration continued to mount as parents wondered how long the strike would go on.
Bay Terrace resident Karen Ciaccio typically drives her three children in the morning to St. Clare's School, Great Kills, but they take the bus home.
"It's tough in the afternoons to try to find parking," she said. "I miss the convenience of having my kids come home on the bus in the afternoon."
Ms. Ciaccio sympathizes with bus drivers and matrons, but wants a return to normalcy.
"I understand where they're coming from and that they want job security, but I just want my driver back," she said.
Sandra Comerford said dropping her two children off at St. Clare's in the morning was relatively smooth these last two days, but she couldn't say the same about the afternoons.
"It's annoying," said the Great Kills resident. "I have to leave earlier in the morning. But the mornings are OK. The afternoon dismissal is horrible."
A school crossing guard directing traffic outside of PS 8 in Great Kills said things weren't as bad as she imagined.
"It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, but I can see where it could become a problem if this goes on for weeks," said the woman who wished to remain anonymous.