TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NOTE
    No.
    T-08-04
    Finance and Operations
    Contact:
    School Transportation Management
    Jamie S. Warrington
    Department of Education
    (850) 245-9795
    Jeanine Blomberg,
    National School Bus Safety Week
    SC
    205-9795
    Commissioner
    DATE:
    ?
    September 2
    4
    , 2007
    TO:
    ?
    School District Transportation Directors
    Charter
    Schools
    FROM:
    ?
    Charlie Hood, Director
    SUBJECT:
    ?
    National School Bus Safety Week, October 22-26, 2007
    Ensuring access to educational programs requires that school districts safely transport students to
    and from school each day. The Department of Education (DOE) and the Florida Association for
    Pupil Transportation (FAPT) recognize Florida’s school bus drivers and transportation
    department personnel for their commitment and dedication to the task of ensuring safe
    transportation for over one million Florida students to school each day in school buses.
    This year National School Bus Safety Week is
    October 22-26, 2007
    , and the theme is
    “Be
    Aware ! – Cross With Care.”
    Although school buses continue to be the safest vehicle on the
    road to transport students, the danger zones around school buses continue to be of great concern
    for students, bus drivers, and other motorists. Transporters and educators should emphasize the
    need for motorists to stop when a school bus has its flashing red lights on and stop arms
    extended. These are the signals that indicate school children are boarding or departing from the
    bus, and it is one of the most critical times for the safety of children. School districts need to
    continue to offer training to bus drivers on student pickup and drop-off procedures, and to
    students on safe behavior in and around school buses.
    The DOE and the FAPT also want to recognize the local Community Traffic Safety Teams,
    made up of representatives from many community agencies, which continue to work together
    throughout the year to improve the safety of students and the motoring public.
    The Department and the FAPT also support the Missing Children Information Clearinghouse
    (MCIC), which is another student safety initiative established by the Florida Department of Law
    Enforcement and other agencies to prevent abductions and aid recovery of missing children.
    Technical Assistance Note No. T-08-04
    September 2
    4
    , 2007
    Page Two
    During National School Bus Safety Week, district and charter school personnel are encouraged
    to provide activities that recognize school bus drivers and all transportation professionals for
    their commitment to school bus safety. Florida maintains an excellent safety record in
    transporting public school children, and this special week is the perfect opportunity for
    communities to recognize and thank transportation professionals.
    This year the Department will recognize National School Bus Safety Week by presenting a
    safety program to students at Bond Elementary School in Tallahassee. The honorary guest for the
    event is “Buster the Bus®,” a robotic school bus that will present a safety awareness program to
    the students. Program topics will include safety while on the bus and outside the bus in the
    danger zones and proper crossing practices for students who must cross a street. Students will
    receive school bus safety items and the newly released brochure, “Are We There Yet?: Staying
    Safe Between Home And School,” produced by the DOE offices of School Transportation and
    Safe Schools. This brochure provides valuable safety information for both students and their
    parents, and it can be accessed at the following links:
    http://info.fldoe.org/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-4510/coefo-08-02brochure1.pdf
    http://info.fldoe.org/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-4511/coefo-08-02brochure2.pdf
    We encourage you to plan activities at the local level during National School Bus Safety Week
    to increase safety awareness and to show appreciation for the professionals dedicated to safely
    transporting Florida’s public school children.
    CFH:jw
    cc: Superintendents

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