Royalview kindergartners learn about school bus safety

About 50 kindergarten students from Royalview Elementary in Willowick excitedly boarded a school bus the morning of Aug. 10.

It wasn’t the first official day of school, although they were learning.

For many this was their first ride on a school bus. And they were practicing what they’d just learned at a school assembly.

Royalview Principal Kim Cantwell and Assistant Principal John Bender discussed the rules of riding a school bus at the gathering.

And while the assembly was for kindergarten students, the rules and procedures apply to any students who ride a bus.

The first rule, according to Bender, is to know and avoid the “danger zone” — the area within 20 feet of the bus on all sides. Bender gave the example that if the student dropped something under the bus, they should seek adult assistance rather than retrieve the item. The bus driver might not be able to see them inside that “danger zone.”

Students also are advised

to be at the bus stop and ready to board before its schedule arrival time.

“Don’t be late, the bus can’t wait,” Cantwell told the students as she cautioned them against having to run to catch the bus.

Cantwell also informed the students that there are rules to follow on the bus just like there are rules in the classroom. The bus driver is like the teacher and the bus is her classroom, Cantwell said.

Cantwell went over basic rules such as keeping hands inside the bus, keeping feet out of the aisle, using a quiet voice, keeping hands and feet to yourself and staying in your seat facing forward during the

ride.

Bender also stressed to the students that they need to be able to see the driver. If they can see the driver, then the driver can see them. He referred again to the “danger zone” and the driver’s inability to see a student within that area.

He advised the students especially those who have to cross the street after getting off the bus to walk the 20 feet in front of the bus and watch for the driver’s signal that she sees them. The students then need to watch the driver to signal them that it is OK to cross the street.

Students were also advised to wait for the driver’s signal to board the bus.

Cantwell told the students and parents that state law requires the driver to open the door and look both ways before crossing railroad tracks.

“Everybody on the bus has to be silent, no noise,” Cantwell said.

Students should have their backpacks or book bags closed when boarding the board and they should stay closed until they get off the bus.

Students are not to eat or drink on the bus to avoid any choking hazards while the bus is in motion. Food and drinks should be kept in bookbags or lunch bags.

Bender urged the students to remember: “bottom to bottom, back to back, feet on the floor, backpack in your lap” when riding the bus.

KRISTI GARABRANDT — THE NEWS-HERALD Royalview elementary School Principal Kim Cantwell directs kindergarten students on the proper way to board a school bus before they go for a ride. The bus ride concluded the school bus safety assembly held at Royalview Aug. 10.