While classroom learning for most students hasn’t begun yet, some youngsters returned to school early to learn about the wheels on the bus and how to ride in the vehicles safely.
Holy Trinity Catholic School Division, Prairie South School Division, the City of Moose Jaw and Moose Jaw Police Service teamed up to offer the second annual First Rider Bus Program. The program teaches young children how to get on and off the bus, crossing the street safely and what to do if they drop something under the bus.
The divisions started the program in 2019 but cancelled it last year because of the pandemic. This year, the organizations held two sessions on Aug. 18 at St. Margaret School and two sessions on Aug. 19 at Lindale School. Seventy-three families registered for the program, with that number split almost evenly between both divisions.
Resident Nadine Easterby brought her great-niece Auorihnna Gueffroy-Pomeroy, a pre-kindergarten student who was excited to ride the bus for the first time.
“I have six kids in my household (Gueffroy-Pomeroy’s siblings) and four have actually gone to school but have (also) gone through this program,” Easterby said. “It’s a nice introduction to them to know what a school bus is when they go on the school bus, and what kind of rules there are when they get on.”
Attending this program removes anxiety for the three-year-old since she will know what to expect and won’t face any surprises, continued Easterby. Gueffroy-Pomeroy needs to know what’s happening since the bus is a big vehicle.
This event reinforces the rules of how to ride the bus because the instructions are coming from someone else who isn’t family, the great-aunt added. As a result, the kids are more likely to listen to other adults, putting everyone on the same page of understanding.
This program is important since students’ safety is No. 1 in education, said Ward Strueby, director of education for Holy Trinity.
“We want (students’) first day of kindergarten or pre-kindergarten to be a memorable experience and we want to take out all of that anxiety to have a great start to school,” he said. “… it helps parents feel a lot more secure in sending their kiddos to school. It helps ensure a great first impression of school.”
Having parents alongside the students is helpful since the youths can gain confidence when riding the bus for the first time, Strueby added. Many times, bus drivers can be the first face students see when going to school.
Besides teaching kids how to ride the bus, this program also gets them excited for school, said Ryan Boughen, education director for Prairie South. He was particularly thankful that the four partners could work together since they are all focused on the smooth functioning of the community.
“We’re happy we can offer this program,” he added.
Another program goal is to ensure students become successful bus riders, said Gerry Turcotte, transportation manager with Holy Trinity. Besides addressing first-day anxieties, this program also helps students know rules similar to riding in a family vehicle.
Some bus instructions students are expected to obey include crossing the street at a designated crosswalk, staying off private property while waiting for the bus, lining up in single file and boarding in an orderly manner, remaining seated and facing forward until the bus stops, keeping all body parts inside, keeping food and drinks in backpacks, and listening to the driver.
Some steps parents can take include talking to kids about bus safety at home, reminding children about the rules in the morning, and being present during drop-offs.
For more information about student transportation, visit www.prairiesouth.ca or www.htcsd.ca.
