Even though students were out of school on January 26, classes were still held at Washington County Union Middle School for Student Transporters.  The student transporters took advantage of the professional development day by attending several sessions related to bus safety.

The first session was a 2 hour block on bus discipline.  Facilitators for this session block were Selita Skinner and Sarita Midgett, assistant principals at Washington County Union  and  Pines Elementary respectively and William Brown, dean of students at Plymouth High School.  Student transporters participated in several scenarios simulating bus incidents. 

Brian Littke, Assistant Transportation Director for Nash County Schools, led the training of the First Observer Program. The First Observer Program provides transportation professionals with the knowledge needed to recognize suspicious activity, guidance in assessing what they see, and a method for reporting those observations. 

Student Transporters received valuable information from Eric Haden, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Meteorologist.  Weather conditions were discussed as well as steps to take in each condition.   

Joseph Perry, NCDMV Driver Education Programs Specialist, updated the transporters on the new CDL Medical Certificate requirement and the passenger stop procedure.  Odessa Swain, BSIP/Tims Manager discussed importance of route updates and gave a quiz on reading and understanding the TD29 (route description).

At the conclusion of the day the student transporters moved outside, where they practiced the emergency evacuation procedure on the bus.  The emergency evacuation procedures were led by lead student transporters, Darrell Basnight, Sharese Brickhouse, Bernice Norman and LaWanda Rascoe.

Transportation Director, Wesley Stokes, thanked all student transporters for being attentive throughout the day and for their commitment to bus safety.   He also thanked Superintendent Yanisha Mann for her support for the transportation department and staff.