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School Bus Ridership Program First Ride
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Introduction The
First Ride Experience is an interactive and hands on event, comprised of both
classroom and on-board presentations and a short School Bus ride, which introduces
both new kindergarten students and their parents to School Bus safety rules
and procedures. The student portion of the Experience is geared directly to
the age and maturity level of new kindergarten students. The First Ride
Experience was developed with a keen awareness that parents play a vital role
in the provision of a safe School Bus ride for their children; this event
provides an opportunity for parents to pose questions and discuss any
concerns. |
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Program |
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The
presenter will arrive an hour before the designated event start time to
answer and questions that the teacher might have and to complete set-up
tasks. A variety of activity centres will be set up in the kindergarten
classroom. One centre will include 20 to 30 toy School Buses and many small
toy people. Another centre, of four large play School Bus tents, will set up
if sufficient space is available. Several quiet, interactive, centres will
consist of School Bus puzzles, books and small hand puppets. A cut and paste
centre, a stamping centre and a colouring centre, will also be available for
the students. These centres will be available for the kindergarten students
and parents to explore as they arrive, and after the classroom presentation. The
classroom presentation will include interaction with a very lively puppet
named Rebecca who talks to the students about the reasons for this event, and
how she is excited to ride the School Bus. School Bus Safety rules are
discussed using brightly coloured story boards. A short game of "School
Bus Driver Says" (like Simon Says) allows the students a few minutes
break to stretch and move before the next segment begins. In this segment a
toy School Bus and toy people will be used to demonstrate proper behaviour
while waiting, boarding and crossing in front* of the School Bus. The
videos "Winnie the Poo's School Bus Adventure", and "A Safe
School Bus Ride, It all begins with you" will be presented to students
and parents respectively. After
a short break, the event will move outside to a School School
Bus that is parked in a safe location. During this segment the students will
practice waiting, boarding and sitting. The School Bus will travel along a
short pre-determined route with both students and parents on board. The
School Bus will return to the school. Students and parents will cross in
front* of the School Bus and the Presenter will speak about "safe
spots". An emergency evacuation drill will be explained in age
appropriate detail and then the students will participate in a practice evacuation.
It is recommended that the parents follow the students and participate in
assisting with the emergency evacuation. |
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Time |
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Activity |
Approx.
time req'd (minutes) |
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Explore
Centres |
15 |
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Classroom
Presentation |
40 |
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Videos |
15 |
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Break/prepare
for outside |
15 |
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Walk
Around & Boarding |
20 |
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Bus
Ride |
15 |
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Evacuation
Drill |
20 |
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Conclusion,
open discussion, etc |
10 |
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Total |
150 |
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Underlying Philosophy It
is important to note that of all School Bus safety related mishaps, there is
a higher rate involving students under the age of 7 than any other age group.
Safely on Board is pleased to offer this interactive safety event to your
school. It is the goal of this event to start young students off on the right
foot. |