Local Head Start students and parents received a few lessons on school bus safety last week, right from the horse’s mouth-or in this case, the bus’ mouth!

The audience played close attention as Buster the Talking Bus paid a visit to Cherokee County High School to introduce himself to students and to prepare students and parents for that day their children will be riding the bus to school.

Buster the Bus is the brainchild of Bryan Nash, the proprietor of Crossgate Services, who conducts these bus safety programs throughout the state. Nash has worked as a safety inspector for the State of Alabama in addition to holding the position of Director of Transportation for the Tuscaloosa County School System.

Also present were Herman Curley, Head Start director; Irene Cothran, cluster monitor; Linda Swilley, education specialist for Cherokee County Schools and Karen Romine, cluster monitor for Head Start.



“We are mandated by the federal government to provide bus safety and pedestrian safety to children and their parents,” said Romine. “So we have brought in Buster the Bus to help us do this. We have six Head Start classes represented here. Cedar Bluff has two sites, Centre has two sites, we have a site at Sand Rock and one at Spring Garden. And all of those children are represented here.”

Buster started out by joking with the children and urging them to participate. The message he delivered, however, was a serious one.

Bus safety, Buster said, begins in the home by being ready to catch the bus when it arrives.

“Because if you don’t get up and have everything ready to go, here is what you are going to see when you get to the bus stop,” said Buster. “You are going to see the back of your bus pulling away without you because you missed the bus and nobody wants to miss they bus, do they?

“So what you need to do is make sure mom and dad have all your clothes ready, and your shoes, bookbag, lunches, anything you are going to carry to school, you make sure its ready, OK?”



“And you know what?” said Buster. “It sure does help when you wake up in a good mood. It makes the day go better with mom and dad and the teachers too.”

Buster shared the Number Five Rule concerning riding the bus.

“Always get to the bus stop five minutes before the bus stops,” said Buster. “Show me five fingers! Always get to the bus stop five minutes early.”

Buster also shared a few tips about walking to and from the bus stop.

“Next year, some of you are going to walk to the bus stop,” said Buster. “So here is what you need to do. Always make sure you go straight to the bus stop okay? Don’t stop and play anywhere because you might miss the bus. And remember, never talk to strangers, right?

“Never talk to strangers. And you know what? If you see a stranger at your bus stop, you need to tell mom and dad or your bus driver or your teacher or principal. Because those strangers have no business being at your bus stop. And remember, if a stranger tries to give you anything, you tell them no thank you, OK?”

Buster urged parents and students to keep pets at home for safety of the children and pets alike.

“How many of you have pets like puppy dogs and kitty cats?” asked Buster. “A lot of people have pets. Mom and dad, next year when we walk to the bus stop, it is always a good idea to leave pets at home. Because pets can get real excited, right?

“And we don’t want the pet to run out in the road. Because if they run out in the road, they might get hit. And if the cars and trucks on the road try to dodge and miss them, they might come over there where we are, standing on the side of the road right?

“And we don’t want that to happen. So just remember, always try to leave your pet at home.”

When standing at the bus stop, Buster said, children should always stand in a straight line until the bus arrives.

“Don’t run around and play, okay?” said Buster. “Don’t push and shove, just stay in a straight line. Always watch out for the cars and trucks on the road because we don’t want to have anybody hurt.

“Sometimes those grownups going to work, running late, may not be paying attention like they need to. So always watch the cars and trucks.”

“And you know what?” said Buster. “Never play in the road, right? I bet you already knew that rule, didn’t you?”

Head Start Worker Alice Careaga and another young volunteer helped Buster demonstrate the Number 10 Rule.

“Always stand at least 10 feet away from the road when you are at the bus stop,” said Buster. “That way, you are far enough away from the cars and trucks to be safe. Always stand 10 feet away from the bus.”

Buster also shared tips for boarding and exiting the bus