THUNDER BAY – Jemma Chunick says the First Rider program was the perfect way to do a test run for the first day of school, when her four-year-old son Raine will have to take the bus alone for the first time.
On Saturday she joined about 415 other parents at Confederation College, all eager to get their youngsters ready to head to class the second week of September.
Open to junior kindergarten students, Chunick said it was just what she was hoping for.
“I assumed that the first day, if he saw (a bus) he would be hesitant to get on. So I thought we needed to practice, just to get familiar with it,” she said.
“They have no idea what they look like inside unless they’ve ridden one somewhere else. He had no idea. I just thought it would be a good idea to sign up and get some practice, get a little ride in.”
Like most parents sending their kids off to school for the first time, it’s going to be an emotional day on parents too.
“The first day will be,” Chunick said. “It’s kind of like a sample first day of school for me as well. It’s just approaching so fast and the fact that this year has just whizzed by and everything has kind of just been up in the air. There are no certainties and this is kind of something comfortable to come to and we know they’ll be ready for that.”
The event, in its 28th year, was put on by Student Transportation Services Consortium of Thunder Bay.
Craig Murphy, STSCTB manager, said the First Rider program is a great way to help three- and four-year-olds shake any nerves they might have about getting on a bus and heading to school without their parents in tow.
“The program is designed for young first-time school bus riders, starting school for the first time, to come in a controlled, but relaxed, environment and experience riding a school bus to help alleviate any fears they might have for that first day of school,” Murphy said.
“So when they get on that first bus that first day, they’ve already done this.”
It’s also about educating parents on the do’s and don’ts, as well as the expectations and requirements – including lining up for the morning bus five minutes before the scheduled departure and the mandatory need for a parent or guardian to greet the bus roadside when the school day ends.
Eligible students still needed to register for transportation to and from school must do so by Tuesday, Aug. 31.
