Miniature bus teaches bus safety

WESTSIDE — Buster the School Bus visited schools in Gravette and Gentry last week, not to transport pupils, but to teach them all about school bus safety, and in an attention-grabbing and memorable way.

The safety program, developed by Crossgate Services, an Alabama firm, covered the danger zone, proper loading and unloading procedures, and general safety rules for school bus passengers. And with all students riding buses at times, even if only for field trips, the safety tips presented were relevant for all those in attendance.

More than 1,300 students in Gravette’s middle and lower grade schools participated in a bus safety program last week, according to Richard Carver, district transportation director. About 600 students in the Gentry Primary and Intermediate Schools also saw the presentation, according to Gentry’s transportation director, Jason Barrett.

The new program made its first debut in Arkansas on Wednesday and Thursday when Buster came to Gravette. Buster visited students in Gentry schools on Friday morning and afternoon.

“Buster is a fully-animated, remote-controlled robot,” the Robotonics website states. “He moves, speaks, listens, plays audio-cassette tapes and activates his lights, all by remote control. With his optional stop arm, he has all the warning devices of a real bus. He can wink, blink and move his eyes. And with his smiling mouth, he presents a positive and friendly image to young and old alike.”

Carver said students in Glenn Duffy Elementary, Upper Elementary and Middle Schools attended the hour-long demonstrations which featured the mini-mechanical bus with voice-over explanations of the many safety situations to make sure students know how to conduct themselves, not only near school buses, but also in all traffic situations.

Bryan Nash, a retired transportation director from Tuscaloosa, Ala., emceed the program which involved “driving” the mini bus with voice-over comments from “Buster Says,” the “star” of the demonstration.

Students and teachers from each of the classes which attended were involved in responding to bus-related situations. Viewing these “hands-on” demonstrations was augmented by question and answer participation.

A Farm Bureau bus safety program was earlier presented to students in Gravette’s elementary and upper elementary schools, Carver said. Gentry Schools also had bus-safety sessions earlier in the school year.