Around 30 parents gathered with their little ones on the front porch of Lindale School on Aug. 17 to participate in the First Rider program, giving them a chance to meet bus drivers, hear safety rules, and hopefully reduce the anxiety of starting a brand-new adventure this fall.
“The First Rider program is important so we can dispel some of the myths around riding the bus and try to get the students more comfortable for that first day of school,” explained Todd Johnson, director of transportation for Prairie South School Division (PSSD).
Also present were superintendents Ryan Boughen from PSSD and Ward Strueby from Holy Trinity Catholic School Division (HTCSD) and other school officials. Kara Stevens, PSSD’s driver safety relations officer, gave a safety presentation and overview of the school bus program — first for the parents, then for the children.
School resource officers Reggie Pawliw and Jayme Hoffman from the Moose Jaw Police Service were on hand to introduce themselves to children and parents and hand out police badge stickers.
“The buses are really huge vehicles, they can be intimidating, so today is about getting students on there, they can meet a bus driver, they can see how big the steps are and what the seats are like and all of that,” Johnson added. “And having the parents here also helps them, in letting them know our safety procedures and exactly what their child will be expecting.”
Wendy Koster and Natasha MacDonald were two of the school bus drivers who came out to meet children and parents. Koster has been driving for 15 years, while MacDonald is readying for her first season.
“My bus family keeps me coming back,” Koster said with a smile. “I love the kids. I’ve been on the same run, in the same area, year after year, so when new ones come in it’s because they’ve moved in or they’re kindergarteners. And I get to continue with them until they’ve graduated grade eight.
“I’ve made a lot of friends, and I still have kids that stay in contact with me to this day who are now graduated and have become teachers themselves!”
“I’ve only been driving for a few months, and I’m a rural driver, but it will be the same for me,” MacDonald said. “I’ll get the same families all the way from kindergarten until they graduate grade 12. This will be my first full year with all the kids, and I’m really excited.
“Not only do I love kids, but I have a little guy at home, and one of the perks of this job is that I can bring him with me instead of putting him in daycare. So, it’s ideal for newer moms.”
Some of the safety measures for riding the school bus include keeping the kids in their seats, helping them learn a respectful, helpful culture on board the bus, and getting them familiar with emergency procedures.
“We are here for her to learn the safety rules of bus riding, so I feel comfortable, I guess,” said Laurie Freeman, who attended with her five-year-old daughter Iboya (Ibie). “I have two other ones who haven’t taken part in this program, so this is kind of our first time. I’m happy they have this, it’s a great way to get children more comfortable with riding the bus.”
“Who’s going to drive the bus?” Ibie wanted to know.
“The bus driver will drive the bus,” her mother told her.
“Oh. I am so excited for school!”
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