DoDEA Pacific South STO holds Bus Safety video competition

OKINAWA, JAPAN – The DoDEA Pacific South District Student Transportation Office (STO) has a new, informative video explaining bus safety guidelines and behavior standards thanks to a creative competition between Kadena and Kubasaki High School video communications classes.  

“Our existing bus safety videos were outdated and primarily focused on safety protocols,” explained Mr. Nate Williams, Pacific South Transportation Supervisor. “We recognized an opportunity to expand the content to include behavioral standards as well, since there’s often a thin line between misbehavior and safety risks. For example, when students become too loud on the bus, it can distract the driver and create an unsafe situation for everyone onboard.”

The Student Transportation Office created a rubric, scoring each school’s video based on content accuracy, creativity and engagement, technical quality, clarity and effectiveness, innovation and use of modern tools, and accessibility and inclusivity.

“The video guidelines required content that would resonate with all grade levels,” Mr. Williams said. “We specifically asked high school students to lead the creative process, hoping that younger students would look up to their older peers and be more inspired to follow the rules they see modeled in the video.

“By having students create the content, we aimed to make the message more relatable and impactful,” he continued. “We also want students to understand the purpose behind the project — to promote a safe, respectful, and comfortable environment onboard DoDEA Pacific South Student Transportation buses. By helping create the video, students have now become active contributors to a positive bus environment, which can improve their overall school experience.”

After final scores were tallied, Kubasaki High School’s video took first place. The video will be included in the Student Transportation Automated Registration System (STARS) process. It will also be shared with all 13 Pacific South schools to be viewed at least once each semester to ensure the message remains fresh in students' minds and help reinforce positive behavior throughout the school year.

“We encourage families to see this initiative as part of a larger effort to ensure student safety and well-being,” Mr. Williams said. “By working together — students, families, safety attendants, drivers, STO staff, and school administrators — we can maintain a positive and secure environment for everyone who relies on DoDEA transportation services.”