A live action mock school bus accident, a safety competition, riveting sessions, and recognition ceremonies were just some of the events that took place at pupil transportation association conferences held across the U.S.
PHOTOS: Highlights from Pupil Transportation Association Conferences
The Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation showcased a mock school bus accident during its 42nd Annual Conference and Trade Show held June 16 to 20, in Richmond, Va.
The training exercise was designed to help prepare attendees in real time for the response of pupil transportation officials, school administrators, and emergency personnel in the event of a school bus crash.
Janet Alley (right), associate director of transportation for North Clackamas School District in Milwaukie, Ore., was also recognized with the Supervisor of the Year award for her “leadership and dedication to employees, parents, schools, and the community.”
Pictured here are Jesse Hill and Cindy Hardin from Academy School District 20. Together, they won first place in the competition's special needs category.
Dr. Linda Bluth, a consultant for transportation matters for students with disabilities at the Maryland Department of Education, discussed school reform and the impact on student transportation at the GAPT conference, held from June 17 to 20 in Jekyll Island.
After the crash simulation, children and adults pretended to be injured to make the demonstration seem more realistic.
An adult-size crash test dummy, which acted as the bus driver, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
Several attendees became emotional after having witnessed the event, and some even admitted that they had experienced a similar incident before participating in the training.
At the Oregon Pupil Transportation Association’s conference held June 26 to 29, in Bend, Ore., Chris Ellison, the transportation director for Eugene School District 4J, was presented with the 2019 Dennis Essary Leadership Award “in acknowledgement and celebration of his exemplary leadership and positive impact in a community of learners.”
Part of the Colorado State Pupil Transportation Association's conference events, held June 10 to 13, included the association's annual school bus roadeo championship in Aurora, Co. Shown here are the top finishers in the competition's conventional category, from left: Chris Fritz (2nd), Wanda van Zonneveld (1st), and John Gonzales (3rd).
Also honored at the CSPTA event was Nicole Portee, formerly of Denver Public Schools, who was named the association's Administrator of the Year.
Harris County (Ga.) School District Bus Driver Mary Beth Hudson was recognized with the 2019 Georgia Association of Pupil Transportation (GAPT) Danny Hendricks Valor Award at the association's annual conference. She used her training to help a choking student on her bus.