Kindergarten students go on a practice bus ride

Kinder students and their parents from both Living Waters and NGPS went on a practice bus ride to better prepare them for the start of the school year. Children were able to experience various transport routes and bus stops, and rules for getting on and off the bus. The trip took students from Pat Hardy School over to Hilltop High, where some may have to transfer to another bus. From there, it was over to the stop at the Evergreen Trailer Court, and lastly a bumpy trip down Flats Road so students could get the feel of travelling on gravel and experience how rural bus stops work.

There was not much in the way of chatter as the kindergarten students rode the bus in silence. However, after the ride, Easton Thomsen said, “It was good, and I wasn’t scared at all. I get to ride the bus every day with my sister, and I’m excited for my first day.”

Anne Martens, Principal of Pat Hardy School, spoke to the new students and parents about the new bus procedures, which are all part of the health and safety changes due to the pandemic. As Martens explained, “The buses come in groups of three or four, this year, to avoid a crowd at the bus stop. There will be a supervisor who will go to each class and escort the children out of the school and personally load them onto their bus. The same would apply for student drop-offs in the morning. Supervisors wear yellow vests and will escort the students to their respective classroom doors. This is to avoid any crowds from gathering or kinder students from getting lost.” As an added safety measure, kinder students will have a tag placed on their backpacks with their bus number. Going this extra step will ensure students are getting on the correct bus. Unfortunately, due to the new protocols, students will not be allowed to play at the school playground while waiting.

Bus driver Deena Halhead, who prefers students to call her Mrs. H, walked the students through all the safety items needed to ride on a school bus. As a bus driver, many safety factors are considered when transporting children. Mrs. H explained that one was the necessity of counting children, not only on the bus but also on getting off. Before the wheels are put in motion, the bus driver must have visual and account for all those who get off to ensure no one remains within a ten-foot perimeter of the bus before driving away. Mrs. H. further explained to the students that bus drivers cannot always engage in conversations with those on the bus. Full focus and attention must be on their surroundings, which include not only keeping an eye on the children riding the bus but other traffic, pedestrians, and those on bicycles.

Rhett Czaban, Director of Transportation for all the school buses in the region, also attended to speak with students about riding a bus and some of the procedures the transportation division have in place if your child did not get off at their designated stop. Parents need not worry, as each bus is equipped with radios and access to phones. Drivers will either call the parent directly to advise of the situation or contact the school administration. No matter what, the child is in safe hands with the driver, ensuring the child will get home safely.