School Bus Safety Taught to Children at Ohio Safety Town Program

June 30, 2026

Young children climbed on board a school bus to learn safety and proper riding habits during Madison Safety Town, a longstanding community program that teaches accident prevention and emergency awareness, reported The News Herald.

School bus safety was the featured lesson June 16 as part of the annual program, which was held June 15-18 and June 22-26 at South Elementary School. According to the news report, about 45 children ages 3 to 6 attended daily two-hour sessions focused on topics including school bus loading and unloading safety, bicycles, pedestrians, playgrounds, water and home safety.

The school bus lesson gave participants hands-on instruction from driver Jim Hooper of contractor Community Bus Services, which provides transportation services for Madison Local Schools. While the bus remained parked, Hooper reviewed essential safety practices before children practiced exiting the bus and safely crossing in front of it.

According to the article, Hooper emphasized the importance of using handrails in the stepwell while boarding and exiting to prevent falls, remaining seated with backs against the seat while the bus is moving, and never throwing objects from bus windows. He also explained why students should remain quiet when a school bus approaches railroad crossings, allowing drivers to hear potential hazards.

After the school bus safety presentation, children practiced crossing the street in front of the bus using proper loading and unloading procedures. Hooper demonstrated the hand signals drivers use to indicate to children it is safe to cross, after checking mirrors for vehicles that may illegally pass the stopped bus. Children were instructed to stop, look left beyond the front of the bus then right before continuing across the roadway.

Children also had the opportunity to get a closer look at emergency vehicles, including police cruisers and fire trucks.

“The kids seem excited,” Carrie Svigel, co-director of Madison Safety Town, told local news reporters.

Volunteer instructors, including many Madison High School students, accompanied children throughout the activities. Svigel said several returning volunteers came back this year, while others adjusted their schedules to participate.

Madison Safety Town is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026. Established in 1986 by the Madison Branch of the American Association of University Women, the program continues to be sponsored by the organization’s Northeast Ohio Branch, which Svigel now leads as president.

Written with the assistance of AI.