School Bus Safety Week is in October.
During the month, the Manitoba Association of School Business Officials runs a School Bus Safety Poster contest. There are two categories. One for kids in kindergarten to grades three. The other is for students in grades four to six.
A new theme is given every year. This year, the theme was "Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes". For the second time in MVSD history, a student in the division took home the crown.
Bentley Sanderson from Mackenzie Middle School won the contest in the grades four to six age group. For the win, Bentley was presented with a new bike from MVSD transportation supervisor, Ernest Karpiak.
"Really and truly, I think Bentley was shocked to be chosen as the winner," said Karpiak. "When I told him that he was chosen from the province, I think he was amazed. When I brought the bike out, it was kind of hidden, and he was in disbelief. He couldn't believe that was his new bike."
In a post, MVSD congratulated all students in the division who participated in promoting the importance of school bus safety through art. Karpiak has been the transportation supervisor for 13 years.
While School Bus Safety Week is recognized in October, Karpiak says it's an everyday thing during the school year. It's something MVSD has always stressed, bus safety.
"All the time. Bus safety is done within the school and within the buses with the drivers," ended Karpiak. "Teaching the students how to cross the roads properly. How to enter and exit the bus. We do bus evacuations so the students know what to do in the event of an accident."
After 13 years with MVSD, Ernest is moving on. He purchased a business. Stay tuned to CKDM NewsNow for more details on that in the coming days.
