Georgia celebrates National School Bus Safety Week from October 17 to 21, 2016 and Georgia School Bus Driver Appreciation Day on Monday, October 17. Schools and safety advocates throughout the state are using the week as an opportunityto highlight the importance of school bus safety.

The 2016 theme, #StopOnRed, reminds students, parents, and motorists of the important role each plays in ensuring student safety at the school bus stop. One key factor in protecting Georgia students rests with motorists obeying the law and stopping for Georgia’s school buses as they board and exist.

Still – drivers should be reminded that just obeying the law is not enough. Children are unpredictable, and motorists must have heightened safety awareness and expect the unexpected as children wait at bus stops, and as they board and disembark school buses.

“As motorists, we have a responsibility to exercise care, be on the alert, and obey all laws when we’re at or near a school bus stop,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “The Georgia Department of Education is pleased to bring attention to this important public safety topic during National School Bus Safety Week.”

“When transportation is required, school buses are the safest way for students to get to and from school,” said Pat Schofill, GaDOE’s Director of Facility Services and Pupil Transportation.

For years, school buses have provided safe access to learning for Georgia’s school children through secure and dependable transportation to schools. School buses are equipped with more safety features than any other vehicle and are required to meet numerous safety specifications, including state and federal requirements. In addition, all public school bus operators receive rigorous, specialized training on a variety of topics before they can take the wheel.

More than one million students ride the bus in Georgia each day, with more than 26 million school children transported in 480,000 school buses nationwide.

Winners of School Bus Safety Poster Contest Named

Below is the list of winners in the 2016 Georgia School Bus Safety Poster Contest, which had the theme: #StopOnRed! First place winners within each division have been submitted to the 2016 National Association for Pupil Transportation School Bus Safety Poster Contest. Congratulations to the twelve winners and to all students who participated at the local level!

Division I Grades K-2

First Place:

Kashton Henderson, first grade

Jones Elementary School, Bremen City Schools

Second Place:

Melanie Fernandez, second grade

Roan School, Dalton Public Schools

Third Place:

Alexander Contreras, second grade

Lanier County Primary School, Lanier County Schools

Division II Grades 3-5

First Place:

Kohlton Henderson, fourth grade

Bremen Academy, Bremen City Schools

Second Place:

Zury Ramirez, fifth grade

Roan School, Dalton Public Schools

Third Place:

Aumkar Patel, fourth grade

East Lake Elementary School, Henry County Schools

Division III Grades 6-8

First Place:

Mary Armstrong, eighth grade

Bay Springs Middle School, Carroll County Schools

Second Place:

Kimberly Long, eighth grade

Luella Middle School, Henry County Schools

Third Place:

Bailey McCorkle, seventh grade

Thomson-McDuffie Middle School, McDuffie County Schools

Division IV

First Place:

Christina L. Sandidge, twelfth grade

Jonesboro High School, Clayton County Schools

Second Place:

Carl King, eighth grade

Perry Middle School, Houston County Schools

Third Grade:

Orlando House, eighth grade

Luella Middle School, Henry County Schools