5th Annual School Bus Safety Day

Friday, 21 August 2015 05:32

Kids and parents have the chance to climb aboard one of those big yellow buses and get those first time jitters out well before the first day of classes.

Sending kids off on the school bus for the very first time can be scary not just for the kids, but the parents as well.

Southwestern Ontario Student Transportation Services hopes to take a little bit of that fear away from the first day with the fifth annual School Bus Safety Day. General Manager of Southwestern Ontario Student Transportation Services Maureen Cosyn Heath says this is a great chance for parents to put their minds at ease. "We find the little ones go bravely towards the bus door. But it's often mom and dad who are more nervous to watch them take that first step. So this is a great way to work those kinks out before that first day."

The School Bus Safety Day will give students the chance to really explore what the bus will be like before stepping on board for the first day of school. "They will have a chance to get on and off a bus. They will learn the expected behaviour when they're on board. They'll learn basic road safety and how to be a good bus rider. And they'll end their safety lesson by taking a little bus ride around town," says Cosyn Heath. Wheelchair accessible buses will be available so everyone can get a chance to take that first ride.

There is no registration required, and no cost to attend, but Cosyn Heath says they will be collecting for a worthy cause. "We always happily accept either cash donations, or donations of new school supplies on behalf of Supplies for Students. This is the fifth year in a row we've partnered with them, and the donated school supplies make a huge difference in the communities." Supplies for Students distributed much needed school supplies through school principals.

The sessions will be held on Saturday, August 22 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. There are five locations throughout the region:

Saint Mary's High School in Woodstock
Saint Joe's High School in Saint Thomas
John Paul II Catholic Secondary School in London
Jean Vanier/Westmount in London
Gemini Sportsplex in Strathroy