About a few weeks ago, one of our bus drivers, Ruben Meza, brought in an article from our local newspaper. The article was about an emergency evacuation that had to take place due to a wire on the engine that set fire. Although it was very minor and no one was hurt, the children riding the bus were very fortunate to have known exactly what to do thanks to the many bus safety drills that were performed at the school throughout the year.
At TMC, it is essential for the teachers to have five weekly lessons on bus safety. Being National School Bus Safety Week, we wanted to reinforce the lessons that are being taught in the classroom. So our bus staff decided to have their very own presentation on school bus safety. Just like any other presentation that takes place here, the teachers took the children outside to pay full attention to our wonderful staff.
Our bus drivers, Vicente Rodriguez and Ruben Meza, along with two bus aides, Elba Espinoza and Laura Abrego, began by showing the children the danger zones around the bus. They explained to the children how important it is to walk five steps forward and 10 steps to either side before going around the bus. They also explained why getting too close to the bus at the danger zone could be hazardous. To demonstrate this, they threw a paper under the bus and explained that as the driver on the bus, you can not see when anyone is reaching under the bus to pick up that paper. Therefore, it could create an accident.
Vicente and Ruben recreated a stop and crosswalk sign out of cardboard to show and teach the students what both signs represent to us. They also explained the reason behind the two large mirrors and why it is so important for the bus driver to be able to see the children when they are getting off the bus. They also reinforced the importance of sitting still in the seat while riding the bus and reminded the students to hold on to the rail when getting on and off the bus.
Our drivers also took personal time to recreate a smaller version of a school bus. The bus was made from hardwood and was covered with yellow paint. They also took the time to draw windows, a door and a steering wheel. Then they added pictures of the children who attend the school and glued them on to the windows. The TMC Del Rio center is very lucky to have such outstanding staff who are dedicated enough to have provided our students with such a wonderful and rich experience.
As a staff member here, I feel we gave our students an extensive lesson over the importance of bus safety this week. Our students not only enjoyed it, but visually learned what is being taught to them in the classroom. So, like the students in the article who were well prepared for the emergency, our students are just as fortunate to know the same.
