Teacher Keeps Kids Safe as Bus Driver Experiences Medical Condition

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School BusesWhen a bus driver displayed medical issues while driving Victory Elementary students on a field trip Tuesday, Dec. 9, a teacher stepped in and made sure the driver parked the bus safely.

Fourth grade students from Victory Elementary in Bristow were on their way to the Hylton High School Planetarium to see a presentation on the planets, when math and science teachers Jen Burch noticed the bus seemed to be slowing down.

“We just noticed that the bus liked like it was pulling over,” Burch said. “It appeared that the driver needed assistance.”

With the help from fourth-grade teachers, Hannah Griesinger and Laura Fox, Burch helped the bus driver pull over to the side of Hoadly Road safely.

Once the bus was parked, one of the adults called 911 to get the driver the assistance she needed.

The students stayed on the bus while paramedics came to help the driver. Then, everyone waited on the bus until a new driver was able to meet them.

“ did a really great job,” Griesinger said. “They were very quiet and patient with us. They weren’t able to see much of what was going on.”

Griesinger believes the children were able to remain calm since the teachers and parent had remained calm throughout the ordeal.

Once the new driver arrived, the bus carrying 13 adults and 56 children, proceeded to their destination, and the children were able to enjoy their time at the planetarium.

The teachers did not want to speculate on how the even could have unfolded if they had not intervened quickly.

“We are just really happy about the situation that it worked out the way it did and that we were able to keep everybody safe,” Burch said.

Principal Donna Kirby was very pleased with the way the teachers handled themselves in the situation.

“I’m really happy that it worked out the way that it did. They did what they needed to do, and the children went on to the planetarium and learned what they needed to know for the day," Kirby said.

Kirby had her staff make phone calls to parents that day, and she also sent a letter home to parents with their children detailing the situation. Although it was probably unnecessary, she said, she explained that she likes to be as open and forthright with parents as possible.

“We did send a letter home as for our practice to be more proactive than perhaps is needed. We did reach out to parents that day as well. We enjoy a good relationship with our parents, and they appreciate that,” Kirby said.

Prince William County Schools would not release the driver’s medical condition due to privacy concerns.

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