On Thursday October 24, 2019 at around 8:55 am Colton Bus Route 103 arrived at Reche Canyon Elementary School for their usual morning drop off. However, this morning happened to be a special arrival. As the bus arrived at the school they were escorted by two police cars in the front and two in the back as they conducted a routine traffic stop. Unbeknownst to the children on the bus they had been nominated and selected as the safest bus practicing good bus safety skills since the start of the school year.
National School Bus Safety Week in October is the ideal time to reinforce bus safety rules among students and express gratitude to bus drivers and staff for their hard work and professionalism. The Colton Police Department acknowledged this valuable.
Bus drivers from 14 different bus routes in the Colton Unified School District evaluated, nominated and fought for their kids to win this amazing achievement.
The students were greeted by more police officers, CJUSD staff, and the mascots from Terrace Hills Middle School, Grand Terrace High School, and Colton High School. Each student hopped off the bus and walked down their line of congratulations receiving high fives from officers and mascots and ultimately reaching their reward, yummy cupcakes!
Bus driver of Route 103, Lisa Lee, beamed with pride as the kids showed excitement for their achievement. Lee has been driving school buses for 20 years and Route 103 for about five years. Lee explains why she nominated her group of kids, “My kids are well behaved, I get involved with them, I’m silly with them, they sit seat by seat, and they respect the rules.” Driving this route for five years has allowed Lee to see students grow, know them, their friends, family, and neighbors.
Lee described why she loves driving and what makes this route the best, “They’re just lovable kids, lovable great kids. They make my day in the afternoon. They sing, and they dance in their seat. At the end of the day, a rough day, they just make me laugh. I love them!”
School Resource Officer Rich Randolph along with other members of the Colton Police Department, students, and staff of Colton Unified School District gathered after the event to begin filming their PSA on bus safety that is set to air next week, so keep a look out for it!
City News Group congratulates the students of bus route 103 for their safety skills, keep up the great work!