It's aimed at easing the minds of young students and their parents ahead of the upcoming school year.
Chatham-Kent Lambton Administrative School Services (CLASS) will hold its annual First Time Rider Program this Saturday morning in Sarnia and Chatham.
The program is geared toward those in junior kinderfarten, senior kindergarten, and Grade 1 who don't have experience riding the big yellow bus.
CLASS General Manager Kent Orr knows the students can feel nervous at first, but the staff are there to help alleviate some stress.
"We recognize that it can be an intimidating change and it's a big family change with the students going to school for the first time or riding a bus for the first time," said Orr. "This takes away some of that concern or anxiety and gives a comfortable environment where parents can ask questions. It's really an enjoyable opportunity to both get some education on bus safety, ask questions to staff that are on site and just have that first-time ride experience on a Saturday before the first big day."
Orr said the day starts off with an instructional safety cartoon video.
"The video covers off some key safety topics, and then we have the on-site piece with the actual school bus ride," said Orr. "So it's really a good fulsome experience for families. They learn how to board and deboard the bus. They learn about the safety zone around the bus and, if they have to cross in front of the bus, respecting the space in front so the driver can still see them. It's about getting them familiar with how they come in and sit down, and what the inside of the bus looks like. There are expectations around staying in your seat and being safe on the bus. We're also reinforcing the message that the drivers there to help you. They're your friend, and if you have any questions or concerns don't be scared or fearsome to talk to the driver and ask your questions."
Orr said the sessions are generally very well attended, and the feedback from parents has been positive.
"We'll see well over 500 people attend and it's just honestly probably the best funnest day of the year for us," he said. "It great to see the excitement and with their parents and just a great experience for everybody. We get great feedback from parents the smiles on the on the kids faces is reward enough."
The sessions run every 30 minutes from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Sarnia's Great Lakes Secondary School and at Ursuline College in Chatham.
There's no need to pre-register.
