School bus safety a driving issue

Are the wheels on the bus broken?  Maybe not the wheels but school bus safety remains a driving issue with accidents in 2021 and 2015 highlighting the Home and School Federation’s longstanding concerns and the need for action. We are fortunate that these are the only major incidents thus far as Prince Edward Island has the highest per capita traffic fatalities in Canada, more than double the national average.

TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
Despite strong recommendations from the school bus safety task force three years ago, key measures have yet to be implemented. These include additional bus monitors, in-bus cameras to monitor students, external cameras to monitor traffic, and capacity limits on overcrowded buses. Winter conditions exacerbate overcrowding, with students often packed three to a seat or left standing. Our school bus drivers do a fantastic job, but they cannot do it by themselves.

PAST RESOLUTIONS
The P.E.I. Home and School Federation has advocated for improved school bus safety for decades. Their recommendations have included a 2022 resolution requiring two adults on all K-12 school buses; establishing maximum capacity limits based on grade levels and bus sizes (2009); implementing laws on seating capacity (2003); legislating maximum student numbers per bus (1998); and increasing the number of buses to prevent overcrowding (1991, 1995). We hope the new Education Minister Rob Lantz will address these longstanding concerns as it is going to take the whole team to keep the bus wheels going round.

While school bus safety remains a top priority, the Home and School Federation is also focused on other important initiatives to enhance the educational experience for all. Ask your Home and School president to share the December 2024 edition of Home and School News highlighting important initiatives and deadlines.

AWARD NOMINATIONS
The federation is inviting nominations for the Extra Mile Award, which recognizes outstanding school staff members, with a submission deadline of January 10, 2025. Additionally, members are encouraged to submit resolutions aimed at improving the school system, with resolutions to be considered at the upcoming AGM & Convention on April 12, 2025; the deadline for submission is Jan. 31.

For School Staff Appreciation Week, scheduled for Feb. 10-14, 2025, we urge local members to form committees to plan simple yet meaningful ways to thank school staff for their contributions. For example, organizing a potluck lunch, creating a “wall of appreciation” with student messages, or arranging for local businesses to offer special discounts to school staff can all show our gratitude for their hard work.

Presidents and co-chairs are reminded that their annual reports are due by Feb. 21, and they are encouraged to document monthly activities from September through June. Lastly, the federation is seeking nominations for key board positions, including Secretary, Treasurer, and Directors for various school families, all of which are two-year terms, starting April 12, 2025 and ending in April 2027.

The safety of our children on school buses and the overall improvement of our education system requires ongoing commitment and collaboration from all stakeholders. By actively participating in Home and School Federation initiatives, from addressing safety concerns to recognizing exceptional educators, we can create a stronger, safer, and more supportive educational environment for all students on Prince Edward Island.

For more information, go to https://peihsf.ca, email peihsf@gov.pe.ca or call 902-620-3186.

David Schult, president of the PEI Home and School Federation, lives in Charlottetown with his wife and two children, who attend UPEI and Colonel Gray Senior High School.