'Walk and Ride Safely' Resource Kit - Capital Health

Educator asks: “We have learned that there are safe ways of doing things and
unsafe ways of doing things. Just like when we learned about crossing the road
safely. Do you think there is a safe way of getting on a school bus?”
Class response:
Yes
Educator asks: “How many of you have ever heard the words ‘Danger Zone’ when
we talk about school buses?” Educator may count the show of hands.
Educator asks: “Does anyone know what the ‘Danger Zone’ is?”
Class response:
Underneath the bus
On top of the bus
Touching the bus
Educator asks: Those are all good answers, and you are real close. If you can
touch the bus – you are way too close to the bus and in the ‘Danger Zone’.
Educator discusses the ‘Danger Zone’ by drawing a bus on the board, overhead,
or chart paper or by holding up the picture of the ‘Danger Zone’ located in the
Student Information section of this manual.
Educator asks: “Now class do you think there are any rules we should follow while
we are waiting for the bus?
Class response:
Stand in a group while waiting for the bus. No pushing or shoving.
Stay out of the ‘Danger Zone’ until the bus driver lets you know it’s safe to get
on. If you can touch the bus, you’re too close.
Educator asks: “Now class do you think there are any rules we should follow when
the bus arrives and we board the bus?
Once the bus arrives, line up with the smaller children at the front. Get on the
bus one at a time.
Use the handrail when getting on or off the bus.
Educator asks: “How about when we are on the bus?
Sit down right away and stay seated until you leave the bus.
Face forward and don’t throw things inside the bus or out the bus window.
Talk quietly and keep your head and arms inside the bus. Keep your feet out
of the aisle.
Educator asks: “What do we do when we get to where we are going?”
Wait until the bus stops before standing. Move away from the bus and out of
the ‘Danger Zone’ right away when you get off the bus
You always look all four ways before crossing the road – left, right, ahead,
and behind.
Educator reminds class to always listen to school bus drivers – they’re in
charge.
Students might ask: “Why don’t school buses have seat belts?”
Educator may say: “Some people are concerned about the lack of seat belts,
but the interior of school buses are designed to protect the occupants in a
collision without seat belts. This is called compartmentalization.”
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