Keeping kids safe on the bus is a priority in Sweetwater County School District No. 2.
Sandy Lee, District No. 2 bus driver and bus-safety team member with LaVonne Wadsworth, said each student who is going to ride the bus receives a tag to put on their backpack. This tag includes important information, including the bus number and symbol. Before school even starts, District No. 2 ensures the students receive their information on which bus they are riding. If a students loses their tag during the year, they will receive another one.
“Each bus that drives elementary school students has a symbol on the outside of the bus. Students, especially kindergarteners, can recall symbols much better than a bus number,” Lee explained.
“We make sure all kindergarteners have the symbol ahead of time,” Lee said.
All bus drivers, bus aides, teacher’s and the school’s office have a list of the students and what bus they are supposed to be on. If a bus does break down, which happens occasionally, District No. 2 attaches a magnetic symbol on the side of the bus so students will know that bus is theirs.
For District No. 2, when a child boards the bus, they give the driver and bus aide a number. Each student is assigned a number, which is easier for both the student and the driver to remember. Lee said this really helps out at the beginning of the year when they do not know who all of the children are.
When the students board the bus, Lee said roll call is done to make sure they are on the right bus. If a student is missing, they find them right away by contacting the other bus drivers. For example: one time this year a first-grade student thought it would be a good idea to invite one of his friends home. He didn’t ask his mom or dad and didn’t tell anyone.
The drivers figured it out and made sure that child was on the right bus.
For District No. 2 it all starts with driver safety training. Every bus driver is required to attend so many training sessions throughout the year.
Charmi Martinez, District No. 2 safety coordinator, said if there is a change in a driver’s route, notes are put up by their bus number so the driver knows of the change. This would be if a parent called in for a sick student or if the student became ill during school and wasn’t going to be on the bus.
The reason for the aides on the bus and why it is so important for students to follow the rules is so the bus driver can give the driving all of the attention, Martinez said.
Lee said as a driver she knows that just because someone has their blinker on that doesn’t mean they are going to turn.
“Our safety records are amazing,” District No. 2 financial director Pete Brandjord said.
Besides training, the reason why their safety records are so good is the safety-awards program District No. 2 has. Brandjord said last year they had $100,000 in workman’s comp claims, but after the safety-awards program was implemented they had none. Under this program, a bus driver receives so many points, if they have an accident where they were at fault, their points disappear. When they accumulate enough points, their name is entered into a drawing for prizes.
“We do have very, very good safety,” Brandjord said. “We are centered around safety.”
For children with Individual Educational Plans, the bus drivers and aides work with the student, parents and teachers to ensure the student is getting the attention they need.
“We don’t get the details, but we know what we are expected to do,” Lee said.
“We’ve gotten better over the years,” District No. 2 transportation director Oscar Barton said. “A lot of these drivers grew up with these kids and they know them better than the teachers.”
When there is a sub bus driver, that bus is placed on a specific computer screen, so those at the transportation office can keep track of it.
When the drivers return the bus yard, they do a sweep of the bus to make sure no children are still on it. They then either place a sign in the widow that says the bus has been checked or on a newer bus they push a button and a sign appears. This is just a good way to make sure all of the kids have gotten off the bus, Martinez said.
As for the activity buses, when they go out of town residents can be assured that the district knows what is happening with those buses. Brandjord said District No. 2 belongs to Wyolink, which is a communication network that allows them to communicate with the bus no matter where it is in the state, however, this is a secure line and not just anyone can listen in.
Brandjord said they are currently working on getting Green River Police Department on Wyolink so they know what is happening with those buses also.
“I think our bus yard is one of the safest in the state,” Martinez said.
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