Household Hints By Rosemary ~ School Bus Behavior

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Once again the children are getting ready to go back to school and once again, we're back to the basics of preparing them. Although it's been said before, I think it's important to repeat the fact that they must be taught safety procedures.
It's so convenient to have the children picked up and brought home by bus, however with all the excitement of returning to school, meeting up with new friends and reconnecting with old ones they are inclined to be inattentive and grow careless. We are strong believers in walking the children to the pickup point and staying with them until the bus arrives, then being there when it returns. Most road accidents with children occur while waiting on a school bus or when embarking/debarking. While you're there, watch to see what their behavior is for the first couple of days and then make them aware of the things that they have been doing that are not safe. Also be aware of the vehicles that normally pass the stop at that time of day, how many and which direction they come from. Follow the Pause, Point and Proceed rules: when they arrive at a crossroad, pause to look both ways (when you teach this exaggerate your movements while explaining aloud what you're doing), point across the road in the direction you're going and then proceed when safe.
There should always be an adult supervisor with younger children. Older children should travel in groups as it's easier for drivers to spot groups and there is safety in numbers. For those older, there should be no rough housing, they should be strongly advised about talking to strangers or anyone who stops near their vicinity. Many games, or electronic devices are not permitted on school grounds, so it's best not to allow the children to take them with them to play with on the school bus; they also encourage the children to be inattentive to what's going on around them. There have been instances on my grandson's bus where the items have been damaged, lost or confiscated.
All scarves, laces, drawstrings should be secured out of the way so as not to catch on the bus rails or seats. The children must be instructed to stand at least ten steps away from the bus until it's stopped and the doors are opened. When returning home they must stay seated until the bus stops and the doors opened. They must be taught that they must wait on the sidewalk and not be anywhere near the front, rear or offside of the bus. They should make eye contact with the driver and be sure he sees them and is aware of their position. Enter the bus one step at a time and hold the rail.
If an object is dropped near, or under the bus, they mustn't try to pick it up, but advise the driver and he will give instructions or he will retrieve it for them. If they were late and missed the bus they must never run after it. More information can be found on the Government of Alberta Ministry of Transport Site. Keep the children happy and safe and instill good safety procedures.