Central Alberta’s youngest students will get a hands-on lesson in school bus safety this month through the annual First Rider program.

The free event, offered at schools across Central Alberta, gives children and their parents a chance to watch a school bus safety video, learn how to ride the bus, practise getting on and off, take a short ride and participate in an emergency evacuation.

Kelli Pickett, assistant transportation manager with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, has been helping with new rider education for nearly 20 years.

She said the event helps ease the minds of not just kids, but new parents too.

“As first-time parents on buses, they're not entirely aware of the safety rules that surround the school buses,” said Pickett.

“It (also) gives the children a sense of famili

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