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Peace Bus program credited with calmer buses and student leadership recognition
Summary
Presenters described the Peace Bus—a national program adapted in Eden—to improve bus behavior, recognize student leaders, and support drivers; staff reported significantly fewer discipline referrals tied to bus runs.
The Eden Central School District heard a presentation on the Peace Bus program, a national initiative the district adopted last year to support student behavior and give additional recognition to bus drivers.
"The Peace Bus is a program we started last year," said the presenter, explaining the district adapted the model "in Eden" to reduce conduct referrals and build a community atmosphere on buses. The presenters said ambassadors—teacher aides, counseling staff and bus-duty teachers—ride assigned buses several times a year to review safety procedures, introduce drivers and reinforce behavioral expectations.
The program pairs an individual incentive (an end-of-year breakfast with a driver for selected students) with a monthly "golden bus" award that recognizes an entire bus and its driver at school assemblies. Presenters said discipline referrals that previously came from bus incidents have "significantly decreased," and drivers and students have embraced the recognition activities.
Board members praised the initiative for driver appreciation and student leadership development and asked a few clarifying questions about selection and incentives. Presenters said selection for individual breakfast recognition is randomized among eligible students to avoid perceptions of favoritism, and that all participants receive a small consolation reward.
The board did not take action on the program at the meeting; presenters said they expect to continue it and monitor outcomes in subsequent years.
