Image Courtesy of School Transportation News
Being a school bus driver can often be grueling and exhausting, as drivers work to keep students safe and behaving properly on their daily trips to and from school. Several California school districts are making extra strides to ensure the efforts of their drivers are recognized with School Bus Driver Appreciation Day.
Gov. Jerry Brown, the California State Assembly, and the California Highway Patrol set aside the fourth Tuesday of April each year to recognize and honor school bus drivers with several events that aim to give back to the people who guarantee safe transportation services for students.
“These are some of the most professional drivers in the state, and they’re passionate about what they do,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “I applaud them for their extraordinary safety record, and the pride they take every day in the safe transportation of California’s children.”
One school district went to extra strides to mark the day for drivers by spending months planning a breakfast served by the school board, superintendent, and other staff. Dr. Janet Young from Clovis Unified School District near Fresno, California helped plan the event.
Director of Transportation Charlie Ott said he reached out to the 16 individuals who helped plan and prepare the event to let them know how much the drivers appreciated the breakfast Tuesday morning.
“It really shows them just how much they are cared for by everyone on our team,” he wrote them in an email. “I know they all appreciate your support as do I.”
“All of my drivers have come into my office sharing that they love their jobs and working for Clovis USD because all of their sites had gifts and thank you cards and everything to make them feel special about their day of recognition,” Ott told School Transportation News. “One driver sent me this photo today of one of the gifts in her bag from Clovis High School Staff.”
