A school bus carrying 27 students from St. John the Baptist Catholic School in New Brighton was involved in a morning traffic accident on Interstate 35W in Mounds View Sept. 9.
All students were assessed and required no further medical assistance, Principal Matt Weingartz said in two messages, one to faculty and staff of the school and the church and one to school parents and families.
Father Paul Shovelain, pastor of St. John the Baptist, arrived quickly at the scene, Weingartz wrote. Anna Nagle, the assistant principal, and Alison Wacek, an administrative assistant, also came to help.
“Before leaving the scene, Father Paul led the students in a prayer for the bus driver, the driver of the other car involved, as well as for the safety of our students,” Weingartz wrote. “I am grateful to share that all students were assessed, and no students needed additional medical care. Please continue to keep the students, families and first responders in your prayers.”
Parents of students on the bus were notified individually about the incident and were given the opportunity to meet with their children at the school, bring them home for the day or let them return to class.
“As a school community, we took time to pray for all involved, and we continue to hold them in our thoughts with gratitude for their safety,” Weingartz wrote.
