A. J. Schmidt Artists Lead the Way in Bus Safety

ANGOLA, NY – The hallways of A. J. Schmidt Elementary are currently lined with colorful, life-saving reminders thanks to the 2026 School Bus Safety Poster Contest. This year, the initiative reached a new milestone with more than 240 student-artists submitting original work to promote safe travel habits.
Led by elementary art teacher Mr. Ruffino, the project invited students to transform essential safety rules into high-impact visual messages. By focusing on "The Lake Shore Experience" of looking out for one another, students spent weeks brainstorming and illustrating concepts that ensure every Eagle has a safe journey to and from school.
"These posters serve as important visual reminders of our daily school bus safety rules," said Mr. Ruffino. "I am incredibly proud of the artistic talent and the commitment to safety shown by all our participants at A. J. Schmidt."
While every student who participated contributed to a safer school environment, the district is proud to recognize several individuals for their outstanding artistic contributions. This year’s top-placing artists include Reese, Robin, Summer, Aristotle, Adriana, Hadley, Briella, Akiraa, Harper, Maeve, Maddox, Oceanna, Payton, Jordyn, Valentina, Emmett, and Aaron.
The Lake Shore Central School District commends Mr. Ruffino and his students for using their creativity to lead by example. These posters will remain on display to serve as a constant reminder that at Lake Shore, safety is a shared responsibility. 💚
Quick Facts:
- Project: 2026 School Bus Safety Poster Contest
- Total Entries: 240+ Student Posters
- Focus: Visual Communication & Community Safety
