KIDS ON THE SCHOOL BUS
Enjoying the new experience
Standing to attention in the St. Augustine School parking lot, the two dozen children were encouraged to be “safety superheroes.”
They already looked the part: Their lime green backpacks — stocked with a school bus safety-themed colouring book, pencil and slinky — were big enough to look like capes on the four- and fiveyear-olds.
Thursday was a big day. For most of them, it was their first time riding a school bus, a test run before their first day of school next week.
That’s not to say they were completely unfamiliar with the concept.
“I already watch Magic School Bus,” said Sky Rico, an excited new kindergartner.
Five-year-old Kimberly Okoro was equally enthusiastic about her first time on the school bus.
“I love the school bus, but I didn’t go on it before, so I’m so excited to go on it today,” she said. “It will be so fun and I’ll make new friends.”
Their parents’ feelings were more complicated.
“There’s some concern as a parent, but I know for sure they’ll take care of her,” said Sky’s dad, John Rico.
That was the point of the “first ride,” the first time Regina Catholic Schools had hosted such an event for its new students.
“A lot of them are new kindergarten parents; they don’t have the older siblings so they have that scare,” said Elena Chase, Regina Catholic’s transportation officer. “This program is really (about) easing their concerns.”
Before getting on the bus, Chase oriented the children, pointing out the cartoon animals that will identify each individual bus route, and explaining the driver’s 12-foot blind spot.
She gave the children some safety instructions and a few rules, with help from three Regina Police Service school resource officers, and representatives from SGI and the Saskatchewan Safety Council.
One rule was not to shout or be rambunctious on the bus, and that was no problem after they boarded for their first ride.
One child quietly sang, “the wheels on the bus go round and round.”
Others talked about the experience: “How do you feel on the bus?” one boy asked his sister across the aisle. “Does it feel cool?”
To cap it all off, the children were put through a fake emergency. With a siren blaring, they calmly exited the big door at the back of the bus.
They seemed to grasp it all, but it’s not like this will be their only school bus orientation.
“You just talk to them and remind them, keep reminding them. It’s a constant, constant thing,” said Gwen Harper, who has driven school buses for three years and now trains other drivers.
“Every day I reminded the kids about safety.”
That fouryear-old taking their first step on the bus for the very first time … and you get to make them feel safe.” ELENA CHASE