Julia’s Story: A Lasting Reminder of Why School Bus Safety Matters

Every child deserves to travel safely to and from school. For Jody Cukier, that message is deeply personal.

In 2010, Jody’s 13-year-old daughter, Julia Cukier Siegler, lost her life while crossing the street to board her school bus in Los Angeles. Nearly 17 years later, Jody continues to honor Julia’s memory through road safety advocacy, encouraging drivers and communities to recognize the responsibility we all share in protecting children.

Remembering Julia

Julia was a talented dancer, artist, and creative spirit whose warmth and kindness left a lasting impression on those who knew her.

“Julia herself was such a gift, and was such a beautiful person, a person who had wisdom, and humor, and goodness,” Jody shared.

Art was an important part of Julia’s life and her relationship with her mother. Jody still treasures the things Julia created, including a handmade bowl and a mother-daughter ring. These objects offer a tangible connection to her daughter and the memories they shared.

But Jody also reflects on everything Julia never had the opportunity to experience.

“The loss is also what was there to be done,” she explained, reflecting on the experiences Julia might have had and the ways she could have continued enriching the lives of others.

Turning Grief into Advocacy

In the aftermath of Julia’s death, her friends and classmates looked for ways to remember her and process their grief.

Their efforts began with a simple message written in purple letters on a lamppost: “Slow Down for Julia.”

That message grew into a community effort. Students created artwork, wrote poems, shared memories, and found ways to encourage safer driving. Purple stones and other tributes became symbols of remembrance, while Jody worked to raise awareness about school bus stop safety and the importance of evaluating potentially dangerous road conditions.

For Jody, involving Julia’s friends in these efforts offered an opportunity to turn grief into meaningful action.

Today, she continues to visit and maintain the memorial at Sunset and Cliffwood in Los Angeles. Drivers and neighbors sometimes stop to thank her for keeping Julia’s memory visible.

As Jody describes it, these memorials are reminders of the humanity behind road safety, reminding those passing by that something happened there, and that remembering it can influence how people behave behind the wheel.

A Message Every Driver Should Hear

National School Bus Safety Week is an opportunity to recognize the importance of protecting students as they travel to and from school.

Jody believes that responsibility begins with how drivers approach school buses and the children around them.

“A school bus should be considered a beacon, a beacon of youth and a beacon requiring extra attention to safety,” she said.

Her message extends beyond following traffic laws. It is about recognizing the people who share our roads, remaining alert around school buses and school bus stops, and taking concerns about roadway safety seriously.

Jody hopes that sharing Julia’s story encourages others to imagine the consequences of a dangerous or distracted decision behind the wheel and make a different choice.

This National School Bus Safety Week, we invite you to hear Jody’s story and reflect on the difference every driver can make.