Rounding up kids takes practice
School bus training helps drivers prepare
By Earl Horlyk, Journal staff writer | Posted: Tuesday, August 19, 2008
A driver weaves through a set of cones during a Sioux City Community Schools bus road-e-o held Monday. The annual event was held to refamilialize school bus drivers with safety skills. (Staff photo by Tim Hynds)
SIOUX CITY -- The rodeo taking place at Long Lines Family REC Center on Monday had nothing to do with rustling up cattle.
Instead, it had everything to do with rustling up kids ... safely from school.
"It's an excellent way to get our school bus drivers back in the swing of the things before the school year begins," said Sioux City Community Schools transportation safety coordinator Kay Abbe. The event, modeled after the American Public Transportation Association's annual International Bus Roadeo -- and, yes, that spelling is correct, is in its third year.
Many of the district's 60 school bus drivers participated in exercises that included a collision course simulating every day occurrences such as stopping at railroad crossings and picking up and dropping off kids.
According to Abbe, a life-sized cardboard cutout of Elvis Presley will represent a child waiting to be picked up from school.
"Elvis has been our guinea pig for the past three years," she said with a laugh.
Although Abbe's mood is light-hearted, she's also a stickler for safety.
"Some of our drivers have been away from the wheel for the past three months so refresher courses ... become very important," she said.
In addition to boning up on their skills, the drivers will get instruction on steps to take when the unexpected happens.
"We'll also inform our drivers on what to do if a fire occurs inside their bus," Abbe said. "With the help of (Woodbury County emergency management director) Gary Brown and (Sioux City Fire Department's) Joe Rodriguez, we'll be doing a simulated 'smoke-out' on board one of the buses."
Dave Le Gree, a school bus driver for the past five years, said such safety courses are beneficial.
"Many of our youngest passengers have never ridden on a bus before," he explained, "so it's important for bus drivers to teach them about proper safety procedures."
Le Gree also has a word of caution for drivers who may have gotten out of the habit of watching for school bus traffic during summertime.
"Drivers should be extra cautious during the first few weeks of school," he said. "When a driver sees the stop arm come down on a school bus, that means 'stop.' We want all of our kids to be safe this school year."
Drivers: Be alert
As the Sioux City Community Schools prepare to re-open on Thursday, the Iowa State Patrol reminds motorists to drive with care.
Iowa law states that motorists must slow down to 20 mph before proceeding past a school bus that has activated its amber lights. When the bus's red lights and stop arm are activated, you must stop prior to passing the bus.
The Iowa State Patrol reminds you to drive defensively, especially when school buses are in the area, and be prepared for the buses to make frequent stops.
Law enforcement will investigate all reports of school bus violations, the state patrol said, and will issue citations for any such violations.
Instead, it had everything to do with rustling up kids ... safely from school.
"It's an excellent way to get our school bus drivers back in the swing of the things before the school year begins," said Sioux City Community Schools transportation safety coordinator Kay Abbe. The event, modeled after the American Public Transportation Association's annual International Bus Roadeo -- and, yes, that spelling is correct, is in its third year.
Many of the district's 60 school bus drivers participated in exercises that included a collision course simulating every day occurrences such as stopping at railroad crossings and picking up and dropping off kids.
According to Abbe, a life-sized cardboard cutout of Elvis Presley will represent a child waiting to be picked up from school.
"Elvis has been our guinea pig for the past three years," she said with a laugh.
Although Abbe's mood is light-hearted, she's also a stickler for safety.
"Some of our drivers have been away from the wheel for the past three months so refresher courses ... become very important," she said.
In addition to boning up on their skills, the drivers will get instruction on steps to take when the unexpected happens.
"We'll also inform our drivers on what to do if a fire occurs inside their bus," Abbe said. "With the help of (Woodbury County emergency management director) Gary Brown and (Sioux City Fire Department's) Joe Rodriguez, we'll be doing a simulated 'smoke-out' on board one of the buses."
Dave Le Gree, a school bus driver for the past five years, said such safety courses are beneficial.
"Many of our youngest passengers have never ridden on a bus before," he explained, "so it's important for bus drivers to teach them about proper safety procedures."
Le Gree also has a word of caution for drivers who may have gotten out of the habit of watching for school bus traffic during summertime.
"Drivers should be extra cautious during the first few weeks of school," he said. "When a driver sees the stop arm come down on a school bus, that means 'stop.' We want all of our kids to be safe this school year."
Drivers: Be alert
As the Sioux City Community Schools prepare to re-open on Thursday, the Iowa State Patrol reminds motorists to drive with care.
Iowa law states that motorists must slow down to 20 mph before proceeding past a school bus that has activated its amber lights. When the bus's red lights and stop arm are activated, you must stop prior to passing the bus.
The Iowa State Patrol reminds you to drive defensively, especially when school buses are in the area, and be prepared for the buses to make frequent stops.
Law enforcement will investigate all reports of school bus violations, the state patrol said, and will issue citations for any such violations.
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Brian wrote on Aug 20, 2008 9:05 AM:
Life size cutouts is a great site that allows you to submit a picture and receive a cardboard cutout of it. "