National School Bus Safety Week
October 19–23, 2026
National School Bus Safety Week is held each year during the third full week of October and brings together school transportation professionals, students, families, educators, motorists, and communities nationwide to reinforce one shared priority: keeping students safe on and around the school bus.
Throughout the week, schools, transportation departments, state associations, and industry partners are encouraged to raise awareness, share important safety messages, and celebrate the professionals who safely transport millions of students each day.
At the heart of the week is the National School Bus Safety Poster Contest, which gives students a voice in promoting school bus safety and helps carry that message into communities across the country. Each year's national winning artwork becomes a centerpiece of National School Bus Safety Week, providing a student-created message that can be shared and amplified nationwide.
2026 Theme: Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes
Meet the Student Behind the 2026 National Safety Message
Sai Darshana Yekolu
Moseley Middle School | Prosper, Texas
Sai's artwork was selected as the overall national winner of the 2025–26 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest and now serves as the featured poster for National School Bus Safety Week 2026: Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes.
The poster is being shared nationwide through the October issue of NAPT School BUSRide, participating State Directors, schools, transportation departments, and the student transportation community.
The 2025-26 NSBSW Poster Contest Poster Winner is available for you to print at your district, home or through a local copy center.
- Print at school district or home (without crops, 2 pages (front and back))
- Print at local copy center (with crops, 2 pages (front and back))
And the Next Safety Message Starts Now! National School Bus Safety Week also begins the next cycle. During National School Bus Safety Week 2026, NAPT will announce the 2027 theme, inviting students across the country to create the artwork that could become the national safety message featured during National School Bus Safety Week 2027.
Learn About the National Poster Contest
School bus safety doesn't stop when the week ends. Explore year-round school bus safety resources and tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Explore NHTSA Safety Resources
Meet All 2026 Poster Contest Winners