Wednesday, May 30, 2001
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Wednesday, May 30, 2001 |
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School transportation department receives safety award Keeping students safe on the road to and from school is the number one priority of the Fayette County School System's transportation department. A key factor to helping keep students safe is staying abreast on the latest information regarding safety procedures and equipment. Staying current is especially important for drivers who transport exceptional children who need special car seats and safety belts. Last summer four drivers attended a two-day course through the Occupant Safety Education Program at the University of Georgia. The course was designed to educate them on the safest methods of transporting students. Participants learned about the proper use of seat belts and car seats. Information was also given about the correct way to install safety seats and which types are good for children with certain disabilities as well as those models that have been recently recalled. Participants received both verbal and hands-on training. Out of all of the school systems in Georgia, Fayette's was the only one to send drivers to the safety training. Due to this fact, the state recently awarded the Fayette County Board of Education a Buckle Up, America! Award at a ceremony at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, Ga. "This is only a small token of our appreciation for what Fayette's transportation department has contributed in the past in promoting the use of safety belts and child safety seats," said Bryon Broome, statewide coordinator of the Occupant Safety Program. Brenda Lynch, one of Fayette's senior drivers, was instrumental in getting the transportation department involved in the training program. "Brenda was the one who approached me about attending this seminar. She coordinated everything and made sure all participants got to the training sessions," said Pam Holt, transportation coordinator for Fayette's school system. Although proud that the department received the Buckle Up award from the state, Holt said she is not surprised. "In the 21 years I have been with the system, the transportation department has always striven to be the best in the state. My drivers give 110 percent all of the time and this award is just another example of their excellence," said Holt. School officials say that the transportation department will continue to send personnel to training seminars offered through Georgia's Occupant Safety Education program as they become available.
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