First Student Enhances Safety & Readiness with New Support Measures
First Watch, a leading school transportation provider, has introduced a range of practical support measures for students. Meanwhile, school officials and experts have been discussing strategies to enhance student safety and readiness on school buses.
First Serves by First Watch offers video reviews, sunglasses, and 'About Me' forms to support students. Laura Greene-Halley, Senior Director of Student Services, reviewed challenges in student transportation.
The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) used by First Watch employs an inverted triangle for interventions based on individual student needs. Lisa Riveros, director of transportation for Wichita Public Schools, discussed reducing behavior incidents and supporting students on school buses. A successful approach involved assigning a teacher to ride with a student with numerous behavior incidents. Partnering with First Watch empowers drivers and monitors to work with students, reducing severe behavior incidents. Riveros noted that these techniques help make students ready for school and keep them safe.
Dr. Susan King, CLP Consulting Group, discussed placing students in the least restrictive environment for transportation. Consistent support and communication between transportation staff and educators improve student behavior and readiness for school. Wichita Public Schools, with over 16,000 student riders including 3,000 with special needs, benefits from these strategies.
First Watch's practical support measures and the strategies discussed by school officials and experts aim to enhance student safety, readiness, and overall transportation experience. These initiatives are particularly beneficial for Wichita Public Schools, which serves a large number of students with diverse needs.
