Latest News

A free Young Rider Orientation Day on Aug. 27 will help new students feel more comfortable taking the school bus. This year, approximately 55,000 Peel District School Board and Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board students will ride the school bus each day. Both boards have provided joint busing service since 1994.

"The orientation teaches students about bus safety and helps them overcome any anxiety they may be feeling about taking the bus for the first time," says Tom Howe, transportation manager. “Parents and children will watch a bus safety video, discuss their bus safety concerns and take a ride on a school bus.”

The program, designed for kindergarten children and their elementary-aged siblings, runs every hour between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

To help children feel more at ease with their first school bus experience, parents can:

·         talk about bus rides as fun adventures. Parents should try not to be anxious in front of their children.

·         establish a routine by taking a few walks to the bus stop before the first day of school.

·         keep children organized. A backpack is easier for students to carry than many small items.

·         make sure children recognize their bus stop location and carry identification in case they get lost.

·         teach bus safety rules—listen to the bus driver’s instructions, stay seated on the bus and respect other students.

·         teach traffic safety. If children must cross the street to get to the bus stop, remind them to wait until the bus stops, activates its flashing lights and the stop arm before they look in both directions and cross.

The school bus orientation sessions are available at several locations throughout Peel. Families can call the bus company for their area before Aug. 27 to confirm their attendance and request a time slot.

Additional bus safety information is available in "Ride the school bus," a fact sheet for parents. A copy is available in the "Parents Boost Learning" section of the Peel board's website at www.peelschools.org and on the “Student Transportation” section of the Dufferin-Peel board’s website at www.dpcdsb.org.

STOPR is an association formed by an agreement between the Peel board and the Dufferin-Peel board for the purpose of providing a common administration of transportation services for students residing in Peel Region.

-30-

Media contact:             Tom Howe, Manager-Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR)

905-890-0708 ext. 23219

                                    Ryan Reyes, Communications Officer, Peel District School Board

905-890-1010 ext.2652

Julia Seeratan, Communications Officer, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board

905-890-0708 ext. 24278