Published Tuesday, August 05, 2008

School buses on the road today

By Brenda Pedraza-Vidamour

The Times-Herald

More than 220 school buses will be on Coweta area roads today, starting long before 7 a.m., so morning and afternoon drivers -- be prepared to stop.

"If you're behind or around a school bus, expect it to stop," warns Judy Gresham, Coweta Schools transportation manager.

She said inattention and distracted drivers probably cause the most accidents about this time of year.

"We had more rear-end collisions last year because people either stopped to pick their dropped CD off the floor and hit the rear of the bus or they were following too closely."

Students riding the bus should be ready for pick-up no later than 7 a.m. Bus routes did not change much from last year. Route information was published in Sunday's edition of The Times-Herald and can be accessed by visiting www.cowetaschools.org.

Gresham explained the school system will know more about its growth in ridership and where that growth is located after the first week of school.

For the first day, the school system will have extra drivers positioned around the county to assist in case there are overcrowding issues on any routes.

"If a bus driver calls in and says they can't hold any more, we're going to send out these other buses to finish the route," she said.

Any questions about bus routes should be directed to the school system's transportation department at 770-254-2820.

Students should be at their assigned school bus stop five minutes prior to their bus' scheduled arrival, but no later than 6:55 a.m.

In the beginning, parents should also accompany their small children to the bus stop until the students get used to catching the bus. They should stand off the roadside. For children who have to cross the street to catch the bus, parents and students are reminded to wait for the school bus driver's signal before they cross.

Gresham also advises parents to make sure their child's teacher knows how their child will be getting home in the afternoon.

It's important for schools to know this information so bus drivers can verify that every bussed child has been accounted for.

Lastly, weather forecasters are predicting chances of shower and thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday, so children should dress appropriately.