Yates Kids say "Thanks" to Bus Drivers

Following their morning runs, the bus drivers for the students at Yates Arts-In-Education Magnet School did something a little different on Wednesday morning.  They parked the buses and followed the students into school for a celebration in their honor.  October 18 is Bus Driver Appreciation Day which falls in the middle National School Bus Safety Week,  October 16 - 22.

A group of  drivers, monitors and the manager of Brown Transportation, gathered in the Yates  Magnet School library to enjoy breakfast, a cake lettered with "thanks," and a special gift.  The bus drivers smiled as the students handed each of them a gift and said "thank you."

According to Yates Principal Valarie Scott, it is important for the children to see their bus drivers as part of the school community.  “We all work together,” said Scott.  “We hope to reinforce our school rules and this is a key piece.”  Scott said tomorrow they will  sit on the buses and review the rules again. 

Scott believes everyone should be involved and work together  with the implementation of  the positive behavior reward program. Valerie Buchanan, a Yates kindergarten teacher talked to the bus drivers about the Positive Behavior Intervention Services (PBIS) incentive program.  She explained how they can use the incentive program to encourage positive behavior during their daily runs.   According to Buchanan the bus drivers can catch students -  who are following the rules  - being good.  The students will then be rewarded for their outstanding behavior.

National School Bus Safety Week is an active and evolving public education program designed to promote school bus safety.  According to the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, there are more than 250,000 school buses on the road taking children to and from school each day.  There are more than 2.3 million children riding on those buses and they get onto or off a school bus nearly 900 million times per year.  Each day, it is estimated that some 50,000 motorists illegally pass a school bus that has its red lights flashing and its stop arm extended.

By the way, the bees represent “Beeing” good and the four school rules:  be respectful, be responsible, be safe and be sure to follow adult direction