School is back in session, which means school buses are on the road again. That being said, parents and students are not the only ones gearing up for the start of the school year. School Bus Drivers are also getting ready. To assist with a smooth transition to the new school year we wanted to share 5 things you should know about a bus driver.  

Assigned Seats are a Must

Assigned seats on the school bus is a CDC COVID protocol. It ensures social distancing. In addition,  it really helps drivers run a smooth shift. Assigned seating helps maintain order and ultimately helps avoid trouble. Not to mention if a student ever leaves anything behind such as a textbook or a mess the driver knows where to turn.

Child Checks are Required

After every route drivers are required to do a Child Check to ensure no child is left behind. This means the driver pulls over and walks down the aisle of the school bus checking every seat. Once this is complete they signal the school bus is empty by pushing a button at the back of the bus. You would be surprised at the number of kids who are found asleep or glued to their cell phones. The Child Check is one of the most important jobs for a School Bus Driver. 

Kids aren't always the problem

Parents can make it hard for school bus drivers. For instance when they don't show up at the drop off time especially for elementary students. Another source of trouble are other drivers. More specifically those involved in stop arm violations. Cars flying through stop arms is extremely dangerous and has resulted in several close calls . 

They Really Don't Have Eyes In The Back of Their Head

Bullying is one thing drivers are taught to watch out for. However, while focusing on the road there are some cases when bullying is missed. Also, there are many times where it is not reported. We want kids to feel safe on the school bus and will take action by reporting any bullying on the bus to the school. This can result in school bus suspension

They Like When People Care

No one ever said being a school bus driver was easy. You have to be able to work early mornings, know the roads and monitor the children on the bus. Not to mention dealing with changing weather conditions. Sometimes hearing your appreciation can turn a bad day good. A lot of the time drivers get special gifts for the holidays or on the last day of school. This is wonderful but it doesn't have to be a special occasion to show your driver appreciation. Just a quick Thank You will go along with a school bus driver. 

Being aware of these 5 things will help your school bus driver have a great start of the school year. If you ever considered driving a school bus check out our website for the benefits and how to get started. www.schoolbus.jobs