Officer Ryan Callender of the state police checks the underside of a school bus during an inspection at Campbell's Bus Lines garage in Slippery Rock.

Once school starts, many students will begin and end their day with a school bus trip. Nationwide, 23 million students ride a school bus, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

A school bus is the safest way for students to get to school, the agency said.

In Pennsylvania, for example, state police inspect each bus prior to the beginning of the school year. Buses are engineered for safety with reinforced sides, red flashing lights, stop signs and other features, and bus drivers are trained in security and emergency procedures.

School districts, parents and students also do their part to keep travel safe.

“We have a kindergarten orientation program prior to the school year,” said Jason Davidek, South Butler School District transportation director and spokesman.

On Aug. 24, a representative of W.L. Roenigk, Sarver, the district's school bus contractor, will explain school bus etiquette to kindergarten students and take them for a bus ride, Davidek said.

Meanwhile, he will explain the district's transportation policies to parents and assign their students a bus stop.

The Butler School District has a similar program.

“We have a few things in place,” said Mike Strutt, superintendent.

In August, a school bus will go to each elementary school that has busing so that children can learn how to get on and off the school bus, said Strutt. They'll be taken for a short ride too.

In addition, safety patrol students will attend a class prior to the start of school.

“These are older elementary students selected by their principals,” he said.

The students learn to use the brakes and bus radio in case the driver becomes incapacitated, he said. They also learn to be “another set of eyes” on the bus, Strutt said.

During the first week of school, all Butler School District students participate in evacuation drills, he said. They learn how to exit the bus in an emergency.

Here are some tips to stay safe, especially near school bus stops, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For children• Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.• When the bus approaches, stand at least three giant steps, 6 feet, away from the curb, and line up away from the street.• Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says that it's OK before stepping onto the bus.• If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least five giant steps, 10 feet, ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure that the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.• Use the handrails to avoids falls. When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with drawstrings, and book bags with straps don't get caught in the handrails or doors.• Never walk behind the bus.• Walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.• If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.

For parents• If your children ride a school bus, walk with them to the bus stop and wait with them until they get on the school bus.• When driving in neighborhoods and school zones, watch out for children who may be distracted and not thinking about safety.• Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in neighborhood.• Watch for children playing and congregating near school bus stops.• Be alert. Children arriving late for the school bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.• Learn and obey the school bus laws. Learn the “flashing signal light system” that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions, which follows.• Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.• Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.