Safety week starts with salute to local bus drivers
By Chris Simon

There were over 35,000 reasons to thank a school bus driver earlier this week.

Students, teachers, parents and staff at the Simcoe County and Simcoe Muskoka Catholic district school boards participated in Bus Driver Appreciation Day Monday.

The event, hosted by the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium and both boards, was designed to recognize school bus drivers and the important work they do, said public board director Gord Campbell.

"Approximately 35,000 students from the SCDSB take the bus to school. That is a great responsibility, and our bus drivers do an excellent job of ensuring the safety of our students," he said. "This day gives students, parents and educators an opportunity to say 'thanks' in a special way."

To celebrate, schools in both boards hosted special events and activities to recognize drivers, including staff bus rides and award ceremonies.

"School bus drivers have a vital job, and this day is designed to recognize them for the outstanding work they do," says public board chair Debra Edwards.

The day also kicked off School Bus Safety Week, which runs until Friday.

The theme of School Bus Safety Week is call "Stop on Red. Kids Ahead."