Kansas to Celebrate School Bus Drivers’ Appreciation Day
Gov. Sam Brownback designates Oct. 19 as a day to honor the state’s more than 4,200 school bus drivers.
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback designated Oct. 19 as a day to honor the state’s more than 4,200 school bus drivers. Seen here is a driver appreciation event in Tennessee.
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback designated Oct. 19 as a day to honor the state’s more than 4,200 school bus drivers. Seen here is a driver appreciation event in Tennessee.
TOPEKA, Kan. — Next Wednesday, Oct. 19, will be School Bus Drivers’ Appreciation Day in Kansas, thanks to a proclamation from Gov. Sam Brownback.
The appreciation day falls during National School Bus Safety Week, which is Oct. 17-21 this year. The Kansas State Department of Education has recommended that school districts contact local media and encourage them to cover key pupil transportation topics, including the importance of stopping for school buses and the widespread need for more school bus drivers.
In Kansas, more than 4,200 school bus drivers transport about 228,000 students to and from school daily.
“Their professional dedication has made pupil transportation the safest means of mass transportation in the country,” Brownback’s proclamation says. “The drivers give pupils a good start on the day, dry tears, dispel fears, find lost notebooks and most faithfully deliver the students safely to their destinations.”
Last year, Emporia (Kan.) Public Schools created a School Bus Safety Week video that informs the public about school bus safety procedures, including pre-trip inspections, warning lights and stop arms, and student loading and unloading. Watch the video here.
More Safety
From Reactive to Proactive: Making Every Ride Visible
Smart technology only delivers its full value when it works together. See how Catalyst connects proven industry platforms to move student transportation from reactive to proactive.
Read More →
HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud Warns Motorists of Stopped School Buses
Through a transponder or Samsara connection, the product lets school bus fleets send advance warnings to approaching drivers through in-vehicle alerts.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Reports Progress on Safety Advisory Council
More than a year after forming the council, independent safety experts have helped shape new rider-safety features and policy progress, with a new goal to address rider behavior.
Read More →
What the 2026 National School Bus Safety Month Resolution Means for Student Transportation
The bipartisan resolution highlights illegal school bus passing, student safety during loading and unloading, and the need for driver training and public education.
Read More →
School Bus Stop-Arm Violations Decline 53% Across Verra Mobility Programs
Verra Mobility shares how school bus stop-arm cameras and school zone safety programs are changing driver behavior, reducing violations, and protecting students.
Read More →
Most Bus Crashes Aren’t Your Fault. Here’s How to Prove It.
A guide for what to do in between a school bus crash and a claim: what to preserve, who to notify, and how to keep the facts available when they matter.
Read More →
National School Bus Safety Week 2026: Tips, Toolkits & Resources to Keep Students Safe
School bus safety takes more than awareness. Explore expert tips, enforcement strategies, and free resources to help protect students on every ride.
Read More →
2 Killed, Dozens Injured in Florida School Bus Crash
A multi-vehicle collision caused a Polk County school bus carrying 37 students to overturn on its way to Winter Haven High School.
Read More →
Illegal School Bus Passing Drops 24% in New York Districts
With fewer than 5% of citations involving repeat offenders, Westchester County officials said enforcement, education, and community partnerships are helping change driver behavior.
Read More →
School's Back. Here's What Happened to Traffic, Speeding & Distraction
What happens to traffic when school resumes? New data analysis examines changes in distracted driving, congestion, and speeding around schools.
Read More →