School Bus Safety/Ridership Education

School Bus Safety Bibliography

This bibliography is assembled by the Instructional Resources Unit (IRU), Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth. The document lists resources available from IRU that pertain to school bus safety (i.e. books, kits, videos, 16mm films, and websites). The resources are geared to a range of audiences - from children in Kindergarten through Senior 4, to school bus drivers and administrators. School Bus Safety Bibliography (147 KB)

School Bus Safety Week

As a "rule of thumb", the week beginning the third Sunday in October is observed as School Bus Safety Week in Manitoba. Its annual theme is typically directed at a specific group (e.g. students; the motoring public). The week is an opportunity for students to receive school bus ridership training; for reminding parents and the motoring public to be particularly cautious around school bus vehicles; and, for school divisions to examine their pupil transportation practices.

In 2008, the week was observed October 19-25.  The theme – Avoid Harm, Obey the Stop Arm – sent a specific message to the motoring public to stop for school bus vehicles as they load and unload children.

The PTU office in Winnipeg has resource material available to assist school divisions in educating students, parents, school bus drivers, and the community at large about the importance of school bus safety. Contact PTU in Winnipeg for more information.

An additional supplier of school bus safety resources is Mellow Smello, a Minneapolis-based supplier which has resources ranging from complete programs, to posters and school bus safety stickers. Contact the company directly at 1-866-243-7932, extension 5448 and ask for Jessica Kusske.

School Bus Ridership Education

In the 1990's, the United States' National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) developed a School Bus Pedestrian Safety Training Program consisting of guides and videos to assist grades K-6 teachers teach school bus pedestrian safety.

In 1994, Manitoba Education used this model to develop its own program - A Teacher Resource for School Bus Ridership Education - Grades K-4. The program consists of the teacher resource manual and various support materials and videos.

To obtain further information on this program, Contact PTU.