Bedford Village Students Learn About Bus Safety

“Today we have something very important to talk about,” Bedford Village Elementary School Principal Kristen Kumar said to students, who were gathered in the gym. “We’re going to learn how to be safe and friendly bus riders at BVES.”

On hand to talk about the topic were district Transportation Supervisor Mark Connolly, School Resource Officer Gerry Williams and the students’ bus drivers.

The assembly started with Kumar talking about the way students can show CARE on the bus. CARE (which stands for Community, Action, Respect & Responsibility and Engagement) is the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system. PBIS is an evidence-based, tiered framework that supports students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional and mental health.

“We can show we’re a good community member by greeting our driver,” Kumar said. “With our actions, we can keep aisles clear and stay in our seats. To show respect and responsibility, we follow the rules. And we can be engaged by being ready to board and exit the bus safely. We want to allow our bus drivers to focus on driving.”

Perhaps the most popular part of the assembly was when students’ bus drivers came out and introduced themselves. They got a huge round of applause, with many students stretching in their seats to wave excitedly at their drivers.

Next, Officer Gerry introduced himself.

“I’m just a dad wearing a different outfit,” he said. “You can always come up and say hi or ask me a question.”

Officer Gerry spoke about safety for students who walk to and from school, touching on walking in the village and using crosswalks.

“Here’s the important thing,” he said. “A lot of people are distracted. If you’re going across a crosswalk, look both ways and make eye contact with the driver to make sure they see you.”

Next, Kumar introduced Connolly.

“Mr. Connolly works so hard to make sure that almost every one of you doesn’t have to cross the street,” she said.

Connolly talked about safety getting on and off the bus, which reinforced what Officer Gerry told walkers.

“When you get on or off the bus, if you can’t see the bus driver, they can’t see you,” he said. “To be safe, you have to make sure they see you.”

At the end of the assembly, students took a bus safety pledge, repeating “I will stay seated and keep the aisle clear. I will use kind words. I will be a safe Bedford Village bus rider!”