“Love the Bus” is a campaign to raise awareness and appreciation for bus drivers, hence Bus Driver Appreciation Week. Assistant Principal Phillip Little explains it.
“It’s a statewide celebration of bus drivers in our public school systems,” Little said. “Part of that is focusing on school safety, and part of it is celebrating them for the good job that they do getting our students to and from school safely every day.”
Abigail Cheek is a custodian and bus driver and says she enjoys her job and the moments that go along with it.
“My favorite moment is when I see the kids on the bus and and at the end of the day they’re laughing and having fun with each other,” Cheek said. “Getting them home safely is my favorite moment.”
The official school day can’t start without the bus riders arriving.
“The first sort of victory we have each day is at eight o’clock when we see that everyone is here on time,” Little said.
Junior Mairead Maley and senior Edward Austin are both bus riders.
“My favorite experience with riding the bus is meeting new people because you have to sit next to them, and having to talk to them and interact with them,” Austin said.
Maley emphasizes the importance of bus drivers.
“I think since teachers and bus drivers do so much for us, it’s a good thing that we are able to show our appreciation during this week,” Maley said.
Throughout this week, Northwood Staff and PTA have appreciated their bus drivers by providing donuts on one day, breakfast another, and an ice cream social was held Feb. 17.
– By Carter Owings-Hurgronje
