National School Bus Safety Week

  National School Bus Safety Week is an active, continuing public education program designed to promote school bus safety.

The 2020 National School Bus Safety Week and Poster Contest theme is:

"Can't Touch This - The Danger Zone!"

(National School Bus Safety Week is always held the third full week of October.)

For many years, school districts in many states have been observing a School Bus Safety Week. Unfortunately, these efforts were not coordinated to any great degree. The week was observed at various times from early fall through spring.

Therefore, the National School Transportation Association and the National Association For Pupil Transportation combined efforts to coordinate School Bus Safety Week activities throughout the country. They and representatives of the other sponsoring organizations designate a week as National School Bus Safety Week.

The sponsoring organizations run a national poster contest with the winning poster being used for national distribution. Poster contest guidelines may be obtained by writing to the committee at 625 Slaters Lane, Suite 205, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Copies of the national poster are also available, beginning in July. A booklet of suggested activities, sample releases and materials to assist you in developing a meaningful program in your school district comes with each request for posters. Only one booklet may be received, but those who are interested are free to copy all or whatever parts they need or want.

Your comments, suggestions, and samples of materials used in your school district to promote school bus safety would be appreciated.

History of National School Bus Safety Week

A great deal of credit for a national effort can be given to Dick Fischer, who pioneered School Bus Safety Week in the state of California in 1963. In 1970, he established a national committee, thus promoting the "National" effort and a brochure of information was distributed to state directors of transportation. Participation has grown since then and the school bus industry safety record has been recognized by the media and numerous periodicals.

Sponsors

National School Bus Safety Week is sponsored by: National Association for Pupil Transportation, National School Transportation Association, National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation, National Safety Council, and School Bus Manufacturers and Suppliers.