TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NOTE
No. T-03-08
Bureau of School Business Services
School Transportation Management Section
Contact:
Kay Kanupp
Department of Education
Charlie Crist, Commissioner
(850) 488-4405
SC 278-4405
DATE:______October 8, 2002
TO: Transportation Directors
FROM: Ronnie H. McCallister, Director
Operations, Audits, and Safety Subsection
SUBJECT: National School Bus Safety Week, October 20-26, 2002
The Department of Education would like to take this opportunity to applaud Florida’s school bus drivers
and transportation departments for their outstanding job in safely transporting students to and from school.
School districts in the state safely transport over one million students each day on over 20,000 buses,
traveling over 292 million miles annually.
This year
National School Bus Safety Week
is
October 20-26,
2002
. The theme for this year is
“Danger
– Know the Zone.”
A recent National Research Council (NRC) study (June 2002) confirmed that school
buses remain by far the safest way for children to get to and from school. The NRC found that
approximately 800 school-aged children are killed in motor vehicle crashes across the country each year
during normal school travel hours, compared to 20 (5 school bus passengers and 15 pedestrians), or two
percent, in school bus-related crashes. Nevertheless, the danger zones around school buses continue to
be
of great concern for bus drivers and other motorists because students within these zones are in the greatest
danger of becoming injured. School bus drivers should continue to receive training in student pick-up and
drop-off procedures, and students should continue to receive training in safe behaviors in and around
school buses.
Railroad safety also continues to be a high priority for school transportation personnel. Railroad crossing
procedures should be reviewed to ensure all drivers are following correct state and district policies at
railroad grade crossings.
We want to recognize local Community Traffic Safety Teams across the state that are a vibrant force in
dealing with community traffic safety issues. We applaud the 55 teams in Florida and their commitment to
dealing with community traffic safety issues.
The Department also honors the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the other agencies
responsible for establishing and supporting the Missing Children Information Clearinghouse (MCIC)
T-03-08
October 8, 2002
Page Two
in its efforts to promote interagency communication, prevention, and recovery efforts regarding Florida’s
missing children. The MCIC Advisory Board has recognized that bus drivers are an important source of
information as the “eyes” for the local community and recently recognized Ms. Silvia Dennard, a
Hillsborough County school bus driver, as School Bus Operator of the Year for her actions to prevent the
abduction of an eight-year old girl.
During National School Bus Safety Week we encourage you to conduct activities that honor school bus
drivers and transportation personnel and highlight the importance of school bus safety.
Attached is the Florida Cabinet Resolution commemorating National School Bus Safety Week. Please use
the resolution as is or adapt it to meet local district needs to show your appreciation for the people
committed to and responsible for safely transporting Florida’s school children.
RHM/kk
Attachment
cc: Superintendents
Operations Personnel
MCIC Advisory Board
Major Kenneth Howes, Florida Highway Patrol
Marcia D. Lich, Safety Management System Coordinator, Florida Department of
Transportation
Robin Butler, CTST Coalition
Gary Fitzpatrick, State Coordinator for Operation Lifesaver
