School Bus Safety Reminders

As the second semester progresses and we look forward to the coming Spring weather, drivers should remain vigilant as students and school buses are on the roadways in sometimes deteriorating conditions. That means: Put the cell phone away, set your cup of coffee down, don't look in your rear-view mirror to fix your hair. Concentrate on who and what is around you. Our ultimate goal is to make sure everyone safely arrives at their destination. Motorists should avoid distractions and obey school bus and school zone traffic laws so we have the safest possible environment for students boarding and exiting buses.

"Kadyn's Law," in memory of Kadyn Halverson, went into effect in Iowa with the governor's signature March 16, 2012. The 7-year-old first grader from Kensett was killed by a driver who had illegally passed a stopped school bus.  This provision increases the penalties for drivers who fail to abide by the law (Iowa Code 321.372) on stopped school buses. Previously, a motorist who passed a bus when the red warning lights were flashing was fined $200. The new Iowa law increased the penalty to at least $250 and as high as $675 for a first offense and up to 30 days in jail. For subsequent violations, a driver could face fines of up to $1,875. A driver who violates the law and causes an injury could face added fines, jail time and license suspension. 

In addition to the situations described below, drivers should never pass on the right. Violations of Iowa's motor vehicle laws should be reported to local law enforcement. 

Scenario 1 – You are traveling on a two-lane or three-lane

• Nearing the bus from the rear; drivers must always stop when either the amber lights or red lights are flashing. Stop no closer than 15 feet from the bus. 

• Meeting the bus from the front; drivers must slow their vehicles to 20 mph when amber lights are flashing. Stop when the lights change to red and the stop arm comes out. Remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the stop arm is withdrawn.

Scenario 2 – You are traveling on a road with two or more lanes in each direction

• Stop if nearing the bus from the rear when amber or red lights are flashing. Stop no closer than 15 feet from the bus.

• When meeting the bus in one of the opposite two lanes (or more), you do not need to stop even if the bus has stopped with lights flashing and stop arm out. The bus is not permitted to load or unload children who must cross this type of roadway unless there are official traffic control devices or police officers present.

Below are a few safety reminders for school bus riders (parents, please remind your students to follow these rules.)

1. Be alert to traffic. Check both ways for cars before stepping off the bus.

2. Make eye contact with the bus driver. Wait for the bus driver’s signal before you cross the street.

3. Walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus to cross the street.

4. While waiting for the bus, stay in a safe place away from the street.

5. Never go under the bus to retrieve something you’ve dropped.

6. Never walk in between buses.

7. Be aware of backpacks or loose clothing that could get snagged on bus doors or hardware.

Investing in Early Childhood Education

The emotional, social and physical development of young children has a direct effect on their overall development and on the adult they will become. That is why understanding the need to invest in very young children is so important, so as to maximize their future well-being.

Research has shown that much of what you need to succeed in life is established before you enter kindergarten. During that time, the human brain undergoes rapid development; it’s a period when a child builds cognitive skills (the foundation for reading, math, science and academics), as well as character skills, social-emotional growth, gross-motor skills and executive functioning, which includes everything from impulse control to problem solving.

Research also states that children who attend early-learning programs demonstrate higher levels of school achievement and better social adjustment than those who have no formal early education. They’re less likely to repeat a grade or be placed in special education classes, since learning issues can be identified and mediated early. Children who have had formal early-learning experiences are also more likely to graduate from high school.

The Alta-Aurelia school system is helping our communities to invest in our children's early development in a number of creative ways that will not only help ensure our children's future success, but also make our towns attractive places for young families to live and grow.

Alta Preschool/Tornado Safe Room

The Alta Communty School District has received a grant from Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management totaling over $1,022,000 to help the district to construct a modernTornado Safe Room attached to our existing Elementary/High School building.  This will greatly improve the safety of our school for students, staff and visitors.  

When not being used as a storm shelter, the space will be utilized as up-to-date preschool classrooms designed for the current best practices in early childhood education as supported by Head Start standards and the Iowa Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program standards.  

Plans are being developed currently, the the current timelines scheduling ground breaking this coming Spring! The construction will not require a bond issue or any raising of property taxes.  The school district's finacial contribution will be supported by the one cent sales tax (SAVE Fund), and the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy currently in place.

Partnerships with Day Care Boards

Both the Alta and Aurelia schools are working hard to help our communities fill the severe need for quality, affordable and accessible day care.  There are fewer in home providers in our small towns, which places a huge burdon on existing young families, and becomes a deterent for attracting new young families to our communities.

The Aurelia School District has a long standing history of working with the local communith day care that goes back to when it was hosted at the United Methodist Church. Eight years ago, the Aurelia Day Care was moved into an existing classroom to create space for 20 children.  

The need for day care has out grown the existing space, so the Aurelia Day Care board has been able to obtain funding through grants and low interest loan programs to build their own building. The Aurelia School District will continue to partner with the Aurelia Day Care board through a long-term land lease (providing space for the building to be constructed) and a food service agreement (providing low cost meals to day care children).  

The building is currently under construction with the goal of opening shortly after the 1st of the year.  The new space will provide day care for up to 52 children!

In Alta, the school district has partnered with the Ready, Set, Grow day care board to provide space on the first floor of the old high school building for use as a community day care. Ready, Set, Grow currently occupies 2 newly remodeled classrooms to provide day care space for 20 children (infants through toddlers). Additionally, a partnership exists between the day care and the school through a food service agreement for the school to provide low cost meals to the day care children.

Before and after school day care for school aged students continues to be offered at the Elementary as has been the case for a number of years.

Long range plans are to offer additional space to Ready, Set, Grow day care, as their need grows, and space becomes available after the relocation of the current preschool.

The Boards of Education for both the Alta and Aurelia Community School Districts recognize and support the need for accessible day care and quality early childhood education programs as an aid in growing our communities, preparing our children for their future success, and meeting the needs of young families.  

These are truly exciting times to be a part of Alta-Aurelia!