By Lars Ossmo

Glenwood – Transportation Manager 

for Palmer Bus Service

School started on last Tuesday,  which means Palmer Bus Service has been transporting 800+ students in 16 school buses and 10 vans to schools in Pope County.  

As a reminder, the Minnewaska Area Schools and Palmer Bus Service encourage residents to “please pay attention to buses” when they pick up or drop off students.  If drivers see amber lights on the bus, it means we are  slowing down to a bus stop. Red lights with stop arms extended mean we have stopped and are loading or unloading students. Passing during a red is against the law.  Each bus is equipped with an external camera to catch violators.  Most violations occur during the first month of school and on the state highways.  Please stop and wait.  

During the first couple of weeks of school, we will provide each student with required bus safety training. We will also be at the schools to discuss the bus’s safety features and what each student can do to make the bus a safe, fun experience. Two of the more important items we will discuss, especially with elementary school students, are staying in your seat and keeping your hands to yourself.   

I am very proud of the roughly 40 drivers who safely transport students, but more drivers are needed.  I am sure you have seen the driver-wanted signs in our community.  When you see those signs, please consider driving because if not you, who?

Palmer Bus Service operates in over two dozen other school districts across Minnesota and is seeing more stay-at-home parents driving.  If you are a stay-at-home parent and need some extra money, please consider driving a school bus because if not you, who?  You can bring your kids with you, even if they are under school age.  We will secure a child safety seat for you on the bus.  

If you have questions about being a bus driver, please do not hesitate to call Palmer of Glenwood at 320-634-3272. We offer paid training and have trainers here to assist.  If you want to work just in the mornings, we can accommodate you.  If you want to work just afternoons or school trips, we can accommodate because if not you, who?  

School Bus Safety / Know 

the rules for riding the bus: 

1. It is a privilege to ride a school bus, not a right to ride. 

2. A student must be on their best behavior on the bus. Keep voices low, always keep hands and heads inside the bus, and remain seated and facing forward. Do not throw things or play rough with friends. Doing so can distract the driver from driving. 

3. Get to the bus stop 5 to 10 minutes before the assigned pickup time. 

4. Remain on the sidewalk or grass at the bus stop until the bus stops and opens its door for you to get in. 

5. When boarding the bus, go directly to a seat and sit down. 

6. You must remain seated in the seat while the bus is in motion. 

7. There will be no food of any kind on a school bus like; pop, candy, gum, chips, or cookies. 

8. Please help the bus driver keep the bus clean by picking up the trash and placing it in the garbage. 

9. When getting off the bus, wait for the bus driver to signal you to cross in front of the bus. 

10. Be careful when getting off the bus (always use the handrails), and only get off at your designated stop. 

11. If you have forgotten something on the bus, do not run back and attempt to get it. The driver might not see you and start moving the bus to go to the next stop. Go home, call Palmer Bus Service Minnewaska, and see if you can pick it up later. 

12. Please do not get into a strange car that is waiting at a bus stop that you do not know, even if they offer to take you home. 

13. No bad language, no bullying, and no fighting with other students or the driver.