The Mercer Island School District is calling on all students to catch the big yellow school bus next week during the district’s annual school bus count week.

From Monday, Sept. 21, through Friday, Sept. 25, students are encouraged to ride the bus as much as they can — morning and afternoon — as it helps the district get a larger allocation from the state for transportation funding.

“The more that ride every day, the better off we are,” said Todd Kelsey, the district’s director of transportation. “It’s very important to our district for kids to get out and ride the bus.”

The student bus count helps determine whether or not the district is eligible for a larger allocation in funds from the state for transportation costs, which Kelsey said helps put the district’s dollars back toward education, where it should be.

For more information about bus routes and transportation, visit the district’s Web site at www.misd.k12.wa.us.