As Kosciusko students head back to class, school district leadership is reminding local drivers, parents, and students to keep transportation safety top of mind.
Kosciusko School District Superintendent Dr. Danya Turner and Transportation Coordinator Evan Horn stopped by The BreckFast Show Wednesday morning to share key safety rules, navigation tips for busy school zones, and general advice as buses return to their regular morning and afternoon routes.
For Dr. Turner, protecting students while in transit requires a team effort across Attala County.
“Our number one priority is making sure that every student arrives safely, understands the environment that they’re in, and returns home safely,” Dr. Turner said. “Safe transportation involves the families, school staff, bus drivers, and community people… Our buses are carrying our community’s most precious cargo, and it’s our children. If we can continue to work together, we can make sure that every student arrives to and from school safely.”
Staying Safe at the Bus Stop
For students riding the bus, especially young, first-time riders, safety starts before stepping onto the vehicle. Horn advised parents to have kids waiting at their assigned stops five to ten minutes early and highlighted a few core rules for students:
- Mind the Driver: Listen closely to the driver’s instructions and stay seated while the bus is moving.
- Use Handrails: Always hold the rail when loading and unloading to prevent slipping during wet or rainy mornings.
- Crossing Rules: Never cross the street until the driver explicitly waves you across.
Rules of the Road for Local Motorists
Horn also issued a strong reminder to local drivers about traffic laws surrounding stopped buses and busy drop-off zones, noting that the most dangerous moments happen when other vehicles fail to yield.
“When you see those yellow amber lights go on, you need to be prepared to start stopping,” Horn explained. “Once the bus hits the red light, the stop sign comes out, and the cross arm comes out, you need to be at a complete stop and don’t move until the stop sign goes in. That’s where most injuries happen.”
Horn added that traffic tends to back up near the Upper Elementary campus in the morning and urged all motorists, whether dropping off kids or commuting to work, to slow down in active school zones.
Contacting the Transportation Department
Parents with questions regarding bus routes, schedules, or potential delays can reach Transportation Coordinator Evan Horn directly at 662-633-7056 or call their child’s specific school office for assistance.
Listen to the full interview with Dr. Danya Turner and Evan Horne below:
