THUNDER BAY - Riding the school bus for the first time can be intimidating for children, and even their parents.
That’s why first-time students in Thunder Bay got a crash course in school bus safety before the big day.
The First Rider program held its 26th year of school bus training for children entering kindergarten, and just under 500 children registered on Saturday.
Craig Murphy, manager of student transportation services of Thunder Bay, says the popular program is almost a rite of passage for parents who have a child about to start school.
"Everyone we talk to thinks it's an amazing program," he said.
The program includes an instructional video for parents and children. Parents then go to the TEC Hub at Confederation College and send their kid(s) off for a 20-minute practice run.
"The kids get that feel of what it's like to ride a school bus so on that first day they aren't apprehensive," Murphy said.
Darren DeFranceschi is a veteran parent of the First Ride program. His son, Anderson, is the fifth child of his to go through the school bus training.
Luckily for Darren, the fifth time was a breeze.
"He's been excited for a month now. He's been excited every time he sees a school bus. He yells it out. He knows all about it."
It hasn't been like that for every child, though.
"Others ones were a little hesitant, and scared. It wasn't a great experience for all of them, but after they've been on the bus a few times... it's like a ride at the C.L.E."
While the first day on the school bus is something many of us don't personally remember, it's something a parent will never forget.
Kristen Melo, who registered her third child in the program this year, says sending her children off on their first day of school is an emotional experience.
"I cried like a baby each time. I'm sure I'll cry like a baby for this one too. It's hard sending them off for the first time without you - it's a big thing,"
