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Bus rides: A new experience
Tuesday September 2 2008
By RICHARD VIVIAN Banner Staff Writer
 
Some came clutching a blanket or a stuffed animal and clamoured to get on mom or dad’s lap. Others walked around wide-eyed with smiling faces and spoke to anyone who would listen.
More than 50 prospective junior kindergarteners brought their parents to St. Benedict Catholic school last week, where they got their first ride on a school bus.
“If you make it kind of a fun thing and say this is going to be exciting from the get-go, the kids [learn] it’s just a normal part of life that’s fun,” says John Colton, who accompanied four-year-old Mason.
“Mason really enjoyed the ride. He liked looking out the window and liked looking through the town.
“It was a good introduction for him.”
The event was put on by First Student Canada, which operates buses for the local public and Catholic school boards. Parents and students from both boards participated in the activities.
“It was nice for the kids to see everything opened and heard the alarm, so they know what the alarm sounds like. (The bus driver) made them feel pretty comfortable,” Colton says. “It was quite nice to see.”
In addition to taking a ride on the bus, students were treated to a video and discussion on bus safety. They were shown how to line up, sit safely and follow other safety procedures.
Bus company representatives also answered questions from concerned parents and informed them of their responsibilities.