School Bus Safety Week

As part of our efforts to support school transportation safety, VAPT annually sponsors actions to promote School Bus Safety Week across the Commonwealth. One way is by sponsoring A Proclamation of School Bus Safety Week by the Governor of Virginia.

The second is the sponsorship of the annual School Bus Safety Poster Contest . These are the two primary activities that Virginia utilizes to support the National School Bus Safety Week.

Theme and Poster Contest Themes - Certificates and prizes are awarded to winners and Virginia winning posters are submitted to the National level as well.

School Bus Safety Week (SBSW) will be observed during the third full week of October each year.

Poster Contest:

School Bus Safety Week is a good time prepare entries for the state and national poster contest, but remember that the poster contest theme is at least a year ahead of the School Bus Safety Week Theme. This allows schools several months to prepare and judge the poster entries locally and allows the state to judge entries in June before submission to the national competition. Winning posters can then be used in publications for School Bus Safety Week. Poster themes must be original, correct in safety concept and the exclusive work of the student entering the contest in idea, design and execution. Instructors should supervise all work created. Completion of art should be done in school during the school year. Poster and slogan must harmonize with the appropriate theme.

Current & Future poster themes and other information on National School Bus Safety Week Information can be found at www.NAPT.org

• List of future dates and themes
• Current National Contest Winners
• Resource Booklet

Purpose for School Bus Safety Week:

• Emphasize the need for increased care by motorists and students when near a school bus.
• Explain and emphasize the School Bus Stop Law.
• Remind school bus drivers of their importance and the importance of their duties.
• Keep the public advised on the important role pupil transportation plays in the total education program.

Suggested Activities:

• Feature articles in local newspapers
• Radio and TV announcements about bus drivers or general public safety announcements
• Transportation Open House
• Photo contest on school bus safety
• School Bus Safety Proclamations by local Boards, Councils, Administrators, or Mayor
• Poster contest on school bus safety
• Mock evacuation drills for public and students
• Essay contests on school bus safety or drivers
• School Assembly programs
• Safety training exercises, coloring books
• Window displays in local businesses
• Bumper stickers, pins, T-shirts, or reward stickers with logo
• Display buses and equipment at shopping centers or government sites
• PTA and civic programs
• Public service message on bank or other business marquees or electronic signs
• Distribute transportation statistics on riders, passing incidents, miles traveled, years of service
• Restaurant place mats with safety message

School Bus Safety Poster Contest

VAPT sponsors a poster contest each year to promote school bus safety. Local school divisions may submit local winning posters for each category. Winners are awarded savings bonds as follows:

For more information on the Poster Contest contact:

Mrs. Anne Pilson

Transportation Director

Patrick County Public Schools

115 Via Avenue

P.O. Box 346

Stuart, Virginia  24171