In an effort to ensure that Moravia Central School students have a safe and enjoyable bus ride, the school district began a Bus of the Month program this school year to reward riders who behave accordingly.

“The purpose of the program is to provide an extra incentive to students to act and behave safely and responsibly on the bus,” said Jim Ellis, the district's transportation supervisor.

Bus No. 145 on route 14 was the program's first honoree. All students received a pencil with an inscription that reads “You're Somebody Special,” and the middle schoolers received points, which go towards an existing program at their school. The parents of each child were mailed a “good news” postcard informing them of the accomplishment, and driver Sue Stayton received the recognition of her fellow drivers and a coffee mug.

The bus of the month selection is based on five criteria: few or no discipline referrals, students remaining in their seats, the overall noise level, boarding and exiting the bus, and respectful behavior.

“We throw all the criteria into a blender and see which bus pops out,” explained Ellis on how each month's pick is chosen.

He describes the most recent view of students' bus behavior as something out of a safety-training video.

“So far it has been outstanding,” he said. “Students aren't jumping from seat to seat and have been exiting safely.”