September 22nd, 2012
08:35 AM ET
Six steps to school bus safety
Nearly 45 million kids ride the bus daily during the school year. Annually, dozens of bus accidents put kids in danger. A group of elementary school students learns important steps to school bus safety that can save lives. (From HLN Weekend Express)
Related: Student News
CNN Student News is ten minutes of commercial-free, cost free news for middle and high school classrooms. It is available on line on our website, as a free downloadable podcast on iTunes and on HLN at 4:00 a.m. ET weekdays during the school year. Go to www.CNNStudentNews.com@CNNSchools on Twitter
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School Bus safety is number 1 with me as a school bus driver. What concerns me more is the safety of students in their parents'/caregivers' vehicles. With the present budget cuts and diminishing school bussing programmes, the safety of students has been compromised. The driving habits of the general public have declines tremendously. Just look at the congestion on the streets around schools and confusion and arrogance in school parking lots.
It is a known fact that school busses are the safest form of student transportation per capita. California drivers are required to receive at least 10 hours of training annually, renewal tests and classes every 5 years to maintain driving certificate validity, and drive test with a CHP School Bus Officer at renewal. This is not to mention the fingerprinting, DMV search, and background checks upon hiring.
Just some thoughts from a bus driver that loves his students.
Thank you Tammy Clayburn and everyone at the CNN/Headline News Network for producing an awesome segment on our SOAR (Safe, Orderly, And Respectful) Student Transportation Education Program!
Our department's mission statement: "We are professional and caring employees, providing transportation services that protect students, support quality learning and improve the community." was exemplified during this segment.
Thank you as well to our dedicated Transportation Educators who worked during the 20 Schools In 20 Days campaign to educate all of our elementary school students in the SOAR Fundamentals and to all our Transportation Educators who reinforce these lessons every morning and afternoon with their students. It is an honor to be a part of such a devoted group of professionals.
We are so grateful to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Safe Kids, and Ms. Beth Buursema for their support and partnership in preventing childhood injury; furthermore, if anyone is interested in joining our "SOAR PIT (Partners In Transportation) Crew" please visit http://www.gotsoar.com, follow Elvissafety owl on FB, or Twitter and let him know you are ready to help students SOAR in and around their school bus!
To learn more about "Quality Learning and Superior Performance for All" from Forsyth County Schools, Georgia, please visit: http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us
Our thanks to Tammy Clayburn (producer), Natasha Curry and the Headline News Network for highlighting one way we work to protect students! As Director of Forsyth's Transportation Department, I am obviously proud of Elvis and the SOAR Patrol as well as every single employee who supports our mission of protecting students here at Forsyth County Schools, If you would like to know more about how YOU can help, visit Elvis The Safey Owl's Facebook page and learn more about what it takes to protect students. Or go to our Georgia Department of Education Pupil Transportation page to access moe resources.
http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/Finance-and-Business-Operations/Pupil-Transportation/Pages/School-Bus-Safety.aspx