School bus operators in central Florida took part in a massive two-day training session in preparation of the impending academic year with bullying prevention aboard school buses taking center stage.
“Bullying can be something as simple as trying to trip a student as they walk down the aisle, making fun of a student’s attire or hygiene or just name calling,” said Bill Wen, senior director of transportation services for Orange County Public Schools.
While abuse among students riding the school bus was a key focus, the nearly 1,500 OCPS employees who gathered at the Orlando convention center also learned about basic emergency response tactics and issues surrounding driver health and nutrition.
However, with the convention held only a week before school resumed again, bullying remained an important topic, especially for drivers to remain aware of it.
“By recognizing such signs, it allows the bus operator to address the students individually,” Wen said, adding that it offers bus operators the opportunity to let the offenders know that their behavior is unacceptable and hurtful to other students, and will be reported to school officials. “For the victim, it lets them know there can be help and someone to talk to,” he said.
Ultimately, Wen emphasized the significance of bus operators forming good rapports with their riders in order to create a safe environment for every student during bus rides.
“The bus ride provides an opportunity where it may not be detected easily by an adult,” Wen said. “Bus operators are the first and the last district representatives bus riders see.”
