FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com november 5, 2015 • BUZZ • The Quens Courier 45 HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES 60TH ANNIVERSARY AND HONORS SEVEN DURING GALA Holy Cross High School President Father Walter Jenkins, C.S.C. (center) presented the school’s Saint André Medal to The Most Reverend Bishop DiMarzio and the Cross and Anchor Award to Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, Vicar for Development, Brooklyn Diocese. VALLO TRANSPORTATION PROMOTES THIRD ANNUAL ANTI-BULLYING AWARENESS CAMPAIGN Students Take the Pledge to Help Stop Bullying Council Member Paul Vallone Applauds Vallo & Encourages the Community to Join their Efforts Vallo Transportation, an independent school bus company located in Whitestone, raised awareness of student safety both on and off school buses by promoting their No Bullying Zone initiative as October’s National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month culminated. This endeavor underscores how Vallo champions student safety and works with the community and families to help create a positive experience for students. “Bullying in schools continues to be a serious issue and has damaged, often irreparably, the lives of so many children and their families. Awareness and education are critical tools in addressing the issue,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “I applaud Vallo Transportation for taking the initiative to combat bullying and fostering an atmosphere of respect among students.” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “I applaud Vallo Transportation for taking the initiative to combat bullying and fostering an atmosphere of respect among students.” Over 500 anti-bullying Bookmarks and T-shirts were distributed to students who took the pledge to: respect each other, refrain from bullying behavior and speak up to help a classmate if he or she is being bullied. Vallo ensures parents are included in their communication plans and provides them with anti-bullying information and resources that outline how to recognize the warning signs and the effects of bullying, and where to go for help. A major component of this initiative is employee training. Since 2013, Vallo added an extensive learning module to its annual employee training that outlines how to recognize bullying behavior, how to properly intervene, and how to create a supportive school bus climate. “Our reputation is built on safety, and I’m proud that our commitment to safety includes declaring our buses to be a bully-free zone. Through this educational initiative, we are able to reinforce this important message and provide valuable information to the hundreds of families who contact us each year for private bus service. It’s our pleasure to take this extra step to ensure we are creating a supportive bus climate for all students,“ stated Linda DeSabato, President, Vallo Transportation Ltd. More information about Vallo Transportation’s anti-bullying initiative and resources can be found on their website at www.ValloTransportation. com. About Vallo Transportation Vallo Transportation provides schoolbus Photo Caption: Linda DeSabato and her team distribute anti-bullying Bookmarks and T-Shirts to hundreds of students throughout October. Photo credit: Dominick Totino Photography service for hundreds of children in Queens and Manhattan, N.Y. The company, which specializes in service to the Bronx High School of Science, also provides charter service for field trips, community groups, high school sports and special events. Vallo has an outstanding safety record, on-time performance of nearly 98 percent, superior maintenance and training programs and history of community involvement. This outstanding reputation earned Vallo the New York State Bus Contractors Association’s Contractor of the Year Award in 2010. Vallo traces its origins back more than 50 years to the hard work and dedication of Eddie and Tony Vallone, the founders of Parkway Bus Service, which provided transportation services to New York City school children. Parkway merged with two other companies, Columbia Bus Service and Syken Coach Services, to form Pioneer Bus Corporation in 1954. Pioneer grew to provide commuter bus services, in addition to its core school bus service. By the 1970s, Pioneer was one of the largest privately held bus companies in New York. Ed Vallone’s children and grandchildren continue the tradition of excellence by serving a new generation of passengers. More information about Vallo Transportation Ltd. and its services is available at www.vallotransportation.com or by calling (718) 961-7600. Holy Cross High School on October 30th celebrated its 60th anniversary with a gala at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach, NY that honored seven prominent individuals, both alumni and members of the community, who have demonstrated “excellence in service to humanity” over the years. Attended by some 300 people, the affair recognized Mr. Timothy Cavanaugh ‘83, founder, coach and executive director of the Manhattanbased Lions Youth Football League; The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn; Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, pastor at St. Bernard’s Parish and Director of the Office of Parish Giving and Vicar for Development for the Brooklyn Diocese; Dr. Timothy Lisante ‘74, Superintendent of Alternative Education and Programs at the New York City Department of Education, District 79; Commissioner Daniel Nigro, New York City Fire Department; Mr. Thomas Pugh, former Head Coach of Varsity Football at Holy Cross; and The Honorable Peter Vallone, Esq., former Speaker and Majority Leader of the NYC Council. The concept of the first all-boys Catholic high school in Queens began on the campus of Notre Dame University in the early 1940s. In September 1955, Holy Cross officially opened its doors and continues to serve the male youth of the diocese of Brooklyn and surrounding areas in the tradition of Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C., and the Congregation of Holy Cross. The Holy Cross High School St. André Medal (awarded this year to Bishop DiMarzio and Mr. Pugh) is given to those who have exemplified the virtues of humility and service in addition to making an enduring contribution to the mission of Holy Cross High School in making God known, loved and served. The school’s Cross and Anchor Award (presented this year to Mr. Cavanaugh, Monsignor Gigantiello, Dr. Lisante, Commissioner Nigro, and Speaker Vallone) is granted to those who have demonstrated extraordinary accomplishments in one or many areas of endeavor. Holy Cross High School 60th Anniversary Gala honorees (l-r) Mr. Timothy Cavanaugh ’83, NYC Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro, The Honorable Peter Vallone, Sr., The Most Reverend Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Dr. Timothy Lisante ’74, Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, Mr. Tom Pugh.
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