County's bus drivers and bus assistants need appreciation, too
Editor:
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I know the Columbia County Board of Education really appreciates all of its administrators, secretaries, teachers, paraprofessionals, media specialists, cafeteria workers, custodians, etc.
But what happened to the school bus drivers and bus assistants? We transport the children to and from school 180 days a year. We help tremendously by simply doing our job. We help make it possible for all of the above listed personnel to accomplish their duties. We also do this with pride and joy!
We love our job as Columbia County school bus drivers. But I believe we are hardly ever appreciated. Some of our parents appreciate us being on time (give or take a couple of minutes) because we make it possible for them to go to work, go to the doctor, run errands and even go back to bed, etc. We wipe your child's nose, tie their shoes, dry their tears, hug their necks, encourage them, mentor them, give them treats and more, all in the short span of time we have your child or children.
Some of our parents even appreciate us when we keep their child or children on the bus longer than necessary because they are running late and no one is home to greet that child. We take our duties and responsibilities very seriously.
But some of our parents do not appreciate what we do. Some even go as far as to complain to transportation because sometimes we aren't there at the exact time every single day or we wrote their child up even though the parent thought their child or children to be innocent. Don't forget the ones that get on the bus sick. Please keep in mind, it might have been your child who needed the extra tender-loving care we provided that caused us to be off schedule.
To all of our parents that send notes, cards, presents, friendly waves and more to their child's school bus driver, thank you for trusting your precious cargo with us. Some of the schools we serve acknowledge National School Bus Safety week Oct. 20-24, and some don't really care.
I challenge all parents of school bus riders, learn your child's bus drivers name and their school bus number and tell them thank you! It makes more of a difference than you think.
Pamela Sullivent
Harlem