Children exit their school bus at Mars Area School District. Butler Eagle file photo

Earlier this week, we cautioned drivers to slow down as students headed back to school.

We also reported that Seneca Valley School District students returned to class on Tuesday, and all Butler County public schools will be back in session by the end of August.

Today we want to remind parents of ways they can keep their children safe as they wait for the bus.

A July 27 article by the American Red Cross encourages parents to have their children arrive at their bus stops early and stand away well from the curb while waiting.

The state Department of Transportation recommends arriving at the bus stop five minutes early so that children can avoid rushing or running across a road to catch their bus.

PennDOT discourages running overall. If the bus already has left the stop, do not run after it, the department advises.

The Red Cross reminds parents to tell their children that they should board the bus only after it has come to a complete stop and to remain in clear view of the bus driver.

Students also should be told to never dart into streets or cross between parked cars.

PennDOT advises walking at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing the road, which keeps students in the bus driver’s view.

Students should be alert and watch traffic closely. Drivers should stop, but it’s safer to wait until all traffic is stopped before stepping out onto the road, according to PennDOT.

The list of tips posted by PennDOT on its website also includes advice for students — such as keeping all body parts inside the bus at all times, talking quietly so that the bus driver is not distracted and never touching the emergency exits outside of emergencies.

Additionally, students are advised if something is dropped on or outside of the bus, do not risk going back for it; the driver may not have noticed.

Drivers must be cautious as buses return to the road, but parents too can take precautions to help keep their children safe while waiting for that giant yellow bus to pull up.

— TL