As parents, you are an important part of the total safety awareness program for our students who travel to and from school by bus. Our students can benefit from learning to become safe pedestrians and passengers.

Here is how you can help your child or children:

• Allow enough time in the morning for unhurried, calm school preparation time.
• Prepare as much as possible the night before.
• Have your children wear bright, contrasting colored coats; or put a piece of reflective tape on backpacks or coats.
• Help your children to leave on time. Allow for weather, and plan to arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.
• Go with your younger children to the bus stop, or have an older child assist.
• Tell your children to walk in groups, if possible.
• Remind your children to walk on the sidewalks.
• Teach your children to stop, look left, right and then left again before crossing the street.
• Running games, shoving or horseplay is too dangerous at the bus stop and around traffic.
• Tell your child to stand at least six feet (three GIANT STEPS) away from the street when waiting for the bus.
• They should wait there until the bus driver says it is OK to board the bus.
• If ANYTHING is dropped during loading or unloading the bus, the child MUST tell the driver and wait for instructions before attempting to retrieve it.
• Six feet on either side and 10 feet in front of the bus are considered the DANGER ZONE. This is the area most difficult to SEE children around the school bus. Remind your children about the Danger Zone often.
• Teach your children to STOP and look to the bus driver for any additional instructions before hurrying away from the bus as they exit at the end of the day.
• No objects will be thrown from the bus windows or door.