Central Alberta’s youngest students will get a hands-on lesson in school bus safety this month through the annual First Rider program.
The free event, offered at schools across Central Alberta, gives children and their parents a chance to watch a school bus safety video, learn how to ride the bus, practise getting on and off, take a short ride and participate in an emergency evacuation.
Kelli Pickett, assistant transportation manager with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, has been helping with new rider education for nearly 20 years.
She said the event helps ease the minds of not just kids, but new parents too.
“As first-time parents on buses, they're not entirely aware of the safety rules that surround the school buses,” said Pickett.
“It (also) gives the children a sense of familiarity before they even go to school for their first day.”
Chinook’s Edge, Red Deer Public, Red Deer Catholic and Wild Rose school divisions are partnering with Prairie Bus Lines to run the events.
Pickett said the event is important because every student will ride the bus at least once in their school career.
The sessions run from 3 to 7 p.m. at the following locations:
Aug. 12 — St. Joseph High School in Red Deer
Aug. 13 — École Deer Meadow School in Olds
Aug. 20 — West Central High School / St. Dominic High School in Rocky Mountain House
** With information from Chinook's Edge School Division.
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