TORII STATION, OKINAWA , JAPAN — October 15, 2004 — Officials from DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam will observe National School Bus Safety Week from October 17 through October 23.

At the schools, Student Transportation Officers will be conducting training throughout the week educating students and drivers about student transportation. At some locations, installation commanders will be participating in safety awareness programs. Banners will also be placed within the communities to remind students and adults about the importance of security and safety while traveling to and from school.

National School Bus Safety Week is recognized annually during the third week of October. It is an active, continuing public education program designed to promote school bus safety. National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) sponsors an annual National poster contest, with the winning poster being used for national distribution.

Last year, one of our students from Lester Middle School on Okinawa won first place in the International Division for NAPT. The poster contest theme for 2005 is, " I See the Driver, and the Driver Sees Me".

This is an opportune time for all educators and parents to teach and remind students about appropriate safety practices and behavior when walking to the bus stop, waiting for, and riding the bus.