The Falcon Transportation Department’s bus safety program “Danger Zone” is coming to an elementary school near you. The thirty-minute assembly teaches elementary students K-2 proper bus safety and stewardship. Dustin Keller from Falcon High School plays “Freedom”, the Falcon mascot, and Nick Biondolillo from Falcon Middle School plays “Phoenix,” the Firebird mascot.They teamed up with the transportation department to keep the students in the spirit, directing them in the proper riding procedures. Wait (three giant steps) from the side of the bus before boarding and walk (five giant steps) in front of the bus before crossing. The mascots received enough hugs and love during the presentation to last for the rest of the year.A letter to the parents with information regarding the Danger Zone program was given to every student that participated in the program. The mascots led the students in a cheer, DANGER – ZONE to close the program. After the program, Freedom, Phoenix and the transportation trainers stopped by the kindergarten rooms to visit and reinforce the program. It was exciting to hear the shouts of THREE giant steps and FIVE giant steps from all the students when they were asked questions about bus safety.Safety posters were left at every elementary school. Every child received a special safety sticker. Bus safety rulers, coloring safety books and pencils with safety reminders were also handed out to kindergarten students who gave correct answers to the simple safety rules.Approximately 48 million children attend public schools across America every day. About half – approximately 24 million – ride yellow school buses to and from school each day. Tragically, there is an average of eight deaths per year among those 24 million school bus passengers. The story is even more tragic for the other 24 million that do not ride the school bus; more than 800 of them are killed during normal school transportation hours each year.Plans are being made to visit all of our elementary schools to teach proper school bus safety. A total team concept of putting the schools and the transportation department together will ensure the success of this very important safety program in School District 49.
