Aug 2009 Editor's Letter
By: Jill Pinheiro

Are your students' parents aware that the safest way to travel to and from school is on the school bus? As students get ready to head back to school, it's critical for school administrators to advocate safety across the board, and an important place to start is transportation.

According to the School Bus Information Council, fewer students are riding the bus and taking less safe alternatives, such as private cars and bikes, to get to school. A recent study by Wirthlin Worldwide found that "about one-third of parents surveyed believed that driving their children themselves was the safest way for children to get to and from school – but statistics prove otherwise."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that between 1987 and 1997, "The number of school-aged children killed in passenger cars on a weekday during school hours compared to children killed while riding a school bus during the same hours was 80 to 1."

According to Mike Martin, a spokesperson for the School Bus Information Council, "As school budgets continue to shrink, all too often the first thing cut is pupil transportation – and the safety ramifications of such cuts are not fully appreciated."

In our coverage of School Transportation, we outline some of the most important considerations when evaluating and selecting a vehicle, including safety, affordability, manufacturers, warranties, and service.

On a final note, it's that time again for our Top Products and Services roundup. Starting on page 42, we bring you 30 of the products and services that caught our eye this year. It's one of our favorite ways to start the new school year, passing along the "best of the best" in keeping with our mission to help you operate your Christian school more effectively and efficiently.

I'm always interested in hearing from you. You can reach me at jill@cspmag.com.

God Bless,

Jill Pinheiro
Managing Editor