With the start of the traditional calendar school year mere weeks away, young Olds and area student bus riders and their families got a jump-start on preparations.
The First Rider program was held at the Olds College south parking lot on Aug. 15.
The program gives both first-time riders and parents a better understanding of safety, expectations and responsibilities of riding on a school bus, said Kelli Pickett, safety and training coordinator in the Transportation Department at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.
“Attending the event will ensure that the transition of riding a school bus is less intimidating for both parents and students and give them a strong, successful foundation for the years ahead,” said Pickett.
Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools partnered with Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD), Prairie Bus Lines and Red Deer Public Schools to offer the information sessions on Aug. 14 in Red Deer and Aug. 15 in Olds.
Participants learned how to ride the bus safely when the bus is travelling, were shown how to safely enter and exit a school bus and participated in an emergency evacuation.
“These young students will likely be on our buses for several years, so we want to start them off right,” said Patty Thompson, CESD assistant director of transportation. “The event takes place right before school resumes in the fall, so it’s a great way to transition from summer into a safe year ahead.”
