Safety in the W

This week we are sharing valuable information about the safety of our learning community in honor of Safe Schools Week. But did you know it is also National School Bus Safety Week? Today's newsletter will be all about Bus Safety.

Safety on the school bus starts with our Woodland drivers!

Woodland bus drivers are employees of the district, and they are responsible for transporting our students to and from school safely. This is a job they take seriously and we appreciate these dedicated employees for their commitment to our students. School bus drivers in Illinois must go through a rigorous training and licensing process, as well as background checks and other safeguards, to ensure they are qualified to perform this important role in the district.

Every day, Woodland bus drivers conduct a full safety inspection of their bus before picking up students. Drivers are also provided professional development and go through safety evaluations to make sure that our students are in good hands.

Meet Bus Driver Debbie Garbutt!

Ms. Debbie has been driving a school bus for Woodland since 2000. She has an impeccable driving record and is proud of her many years of safe driving in the W. She consistently scores very high ratings in all safety categories, and she even trains other Woodland drivers. Ms. Debbie likes to say that safety is her number one goal - all the way to school, and all the way back home.

BY THE NUMBERS:

In the past 30 days, Ms. Debbie has driven 70 hours, for a total of 1,129 miles, with a 100% safety rating!

Schools across the nation continue to face bus driver shortages. If you are interested in joining the #LifeintheW team, please consider submitting an application.

As we shared above, the Woodland Transportation staff is always thinking about safety. At Woodland, we also rely on our students to contribute to a safe and healthy environment when riding the bus.

Here are some of the rules we expect everyone to follow (as outlined in Administrative Procedure 4:110 - School Bus Safety Rules):

1. Be aware of moving traffic and pay attention to your surroundings.
2. Dress properly for the weather. Make sure all drawstrings, ties, straps, etc. on all clothing, backpacks and other items, are shortened or removed to lessen the likelihood of them getting caught in bus doors, railings or aisles.
3. Arrive on time at the bus stop, and stay away from the street while waiting for the bus.
4. Stay away from the bus until it stops completely and the driver signals you to board. Enter a single file line without pushing, and always use the handrail.
5. Take a seat right away and remain seated facing forward. Keep your hands, arms, and head inside the bus.

The full list is available on the Safety Portal. Keep reading to learn rules #6 - #12!

School buses are one of the safest vehicles on the road due to their size and visibility, and the many rules and regulations that bus drivers and school children must follow. However, many of these safeguards depend on others sharing the road with school buses.

Did you know that Woodland Transportation is reporting stop arm violations EVERY day to the police? Stop arm violations are a DAILY occurrence in our community. We need to raise awareness about this issue to help change the behavior.

Here are a few reminders:

• Stay alert, and take school bus safety seriously. When buses are around, that means children are nearby. Depending on the time of year, children may be walking to the bus stop when it is still dark. Drivers should stay alert and watch for students.

• Know what the lights and signs mean. A flashing yellow light means that the bus is preparing to stop and so should you. A red light means that children are loading or unloading and that cars must come to a full and complete stop. It is against the law to pass a school bus with the stop sign arm extended.

• Keep your distance. Buses may stop frequently, and you will need to be prepared to stop in all kinds of weather conditions. It is also important to understand that one of the most dangerous times for a student is when they are getting on and off the school bus. Students may be running to catch the bus, or after exiting the bus they may need to cross the street. Keeping your distance will increase your visibility, and give children the space they need to safely enter and exit the bus.
  
  
• Follow School Parking Lot Procedures. Woodland School Parking lots are busy with cars, buses, and pedestrians (staff and students) during arrival and departure. We have designed our parking lot traffic patterns and procedures in a way that is meant to keep everyone safe. Please don't speed, cut the line, or take short-cuts. Even if you are in a hurry, we ask you to remain calm. We appreciate your patience and understanding for our staff as they are working to keep everyone safe.

Not sure when you need to stop for a school bus? This graphic helps illustrate the rules of the road in Illinois.

Please visit the new Safety Portal on the district website today! We developed this resource to bring all of our safety information together in one place.