SOUTH JORDAN, Utah --- For two decades, Tauna Perry has been driving buses for Jordan School District. She knows the importance of teaching children safety when they're around the huge machines.
"We don't want to see our children injured in any way, so we're doing everything in our power to prevent that from happening," Perry said.
But in 2009, when the Jordan School District split, they stopped having bus drivers teach safety rules to students. Then, earlier this May, one of the district’s students, 10-year-old Seleny Crosby, was killed after she was hit by a bus while crossing the street. The bus driver was later charged in connection with her death. Because of that accident, the district brought back its safety program.
"That impacted everyone in the community, not just Jordan School District but everyone who has a child or grandchild that goes to school; your heart ached for that family," Perry said.
On Thursday, students at Elk Meadows Elementary School learned the basics of school bus safety. From crossing the road to getting on the bus and even how to get out in an emergency.
Even though some students don't ride the bus to and from school, school district officials said it's vital for all children to know about bus safety.
"They'll be on a bus for field trips and other activities, and we have buses at our school whether children ride them or not--they're still going to be around them outside after school," said Emily Crane, a parent and teacher at Elk Meadows Elementary School.
And bus drivers like Tuana just want the children to be safe.
"We as school bus drivers are transporting the most precious cargo that there is, and we take pride in that,” Perry said. “We love these children."
