Jackson students participate in statewide bus safety film shoot

Barney the School Bus robot and students from the Jackson School District and Orchard Drive Elementary School were in the spotlight Friday when the Center for Education Safety of Jefferson City, Missouri, filmed a skit about bus safety for districts statewide.

About 50 second- and third-graders -- one class of each -- were involved in the shoot.

"It is a dream come true to be able to help other school districts with ideas and this video" to train their students about school bus safety, transportation director Carol Woods said in an email to the Southeast Missourian. "It is not only about Jackson students being safe on buses; it is about all students learning about school bus safety and being safe on their bus, too."

Students follow Barney the School Bus outdoors as cameras roll for a bus-safety video Friday, May 23, 2014 at Orchard Drive Elementary School in Jackson. (Fred Lynch)

Safety procedures covered included entering and exiting buses safely, safe riding rules, strangers at the bus stop, bullying and what children should do to help each other, Woods said.

All buses are equipped with cameras but have no seat belts. "Our early childhood students sit in child safety restraint devices," she said.

The Jackson transportation department transports 2,923 students more than 3,800 miles each school day. Woods said she has 65 drivers, including substitutes.

Gary Moore, safety coordinator for the Center for Education Safety, said in an email the DVD will be released at the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation Conference and Trade Show July 8 through 11 at the University Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Springfield, Missouri.