Michigan City Area Schools to Celebrate 2016 Bus Safety Week

Michigan-City-Area-Schools-to-Celebrate-2016-Bus-Safety-WeekNational School Bus Safety Week is October 17-21, and Michigan City Area Schools is once again joining school bus industry officials nationwide to highlight the importance of school bus safety.

“We’re extremely proud of our drivers, monitors, and mechanics – and our safety record,” says Sue Harrison, Director of Transportation for MCAS. “This week gives us an opportunity to celebrate our success, and to remind motorists and students of safe procedures.”

This year’s theme for National Bus Safety Week is “Stop on Red.” “Bus Safety Week is a good time to remind the driving public to STOP when the school bus lights flash red and the stop arm is extended,” says Val Skwiat, MCAS Trainer and Bus Safety Specialist. “Unfortunately there are motorists out there who do not stop, and this is putting children in danger.”

To highlight Bus Safety Week, MCAS bus drivers and monitors will make short presentations to students about a different safety topic each day, including avoiding “danger zones” near buses, procedures at railroad crossings, safe loading and unloading, good behavior, and bullying prevention. Elementary students are also taking part in a poster contest about bus safety. Last week, students riding all 60 MCAS busses took part in school bus evacuation drills.

In conjunction with Bus Safety Week, the MCAS Transportation Department congratulates five drivers who with the most years of service: Dan Kilgore - 36; Mary Cotton - 32; Pat Breitzka - 30; Donna Jean Ada - 29; and Deb Schroll - 27. It also congratulates the following five Bus Monitors (a newer position with the department): Becky Smith – 18; Annie Childs – 17; Val Anderson- 16; Sue Waskow- 12; and Hilda Gayden-10.

“We applaud our drivers and monitors, who play an important role in students’ lives every day,” says Harrison. “We are also grateful to the many state, county, and city law enforcement officers who partner with us to enforce stop arm violations and keep our students safe all year long.”

The MCAS Transportation Department offers these tips for students who ride the school bus:

  • Check both ways for cars before you step off the bus.
  • Always walk in front of the bus. Never walk behind it!
  • Be sure the bus driver can see you, and wait for the driver’s signal before crossing the street.
  • Stand five “giant steps” away from the bus (about 10 feet) when waiting to board or after getting off the bus.
  • If something drops under the bus, tell the driver. Never try to pick it up yourself!
  • Stay in your seat and sit quietly so that the driver is not distracted.
  • While waiting for the bus, stay in a safe place away from the street.