Bus Briefs

School bus driver saves choking student
SPENCERPORT, N.Y. — A school bus driver was honored for saving a choking student on his bus. On Sept. 14, passengers on a Spencerport Central School District bus alerted driver Don Tyson to a struggling kindergarten student. Tyson checked his mirror and realized that the 5-year-old was not breathing. He pulled the bus to the side of the road and performed the Heimlich maneuver on the student, dislodging a piece of hard candy from his throat. The school board presented Tyson with a certificate for his heroism.

Bus operators recognized for ‘clean’ efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. — School bus operators were among the six entities recognized as National Clean Bus Leaders for 2005. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute gave the honor to Colorado Springs (Colo.) School Districts 11 and 20; Cook-Illinois Corp. of Oak Forest, Ill.; and Medford (N.J.) Township Public School District for their efforts to make school buses cleaner. All three operators have been fueling their buses with biodiesel to reduce emissions. The Colorado Springs districts have also been using diesel oxidation catalysts and particulate matter filters.

Massachussetts bill takes aim at junk food ads on school buses
BOSTON — A bill introduced by a state legislator would ban advertisements for unhealthy food and drinks from being placed on school buses. Senate Bill No. 1921 targets ads for candy, beverages with added artificial or refined sweeteners, certain processed foods and fast food restaurants. The legislation would add to a list of items already restricted from ads on school buses, such as alcohol and tobacco products. The state began allowing school bus advertising in 2002.