BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY

We Love Our School Bus Drivers

February 22 is National School Bus Drivers Appreciation Day and Liberty Hill is celebrating the 41 professionals who transport the most precious cargo to and from school every day.

Kids know the drivers are there to make sure they get to and from school safely and on time. Parents are assured that once their kiddos leave home for school, they are in good hands. The ISD knows they are mentors, guides, and so much more. In light of this job description, Liberty Hill ISD is taking an entire day to celebrate the work and impact these drivers have on the community.

BY THE NUMBERS

For this school year, the district has 49 buses, ten of which are brand new, thanks to a replacement grant, and plans to buy two more to accommodate the ongoing growth in the district. Director of Transportation Meleia Cox (pictured) says, “While it can be a challenge to get the kids to wear them, all of our new buses have a seatbelt for every rider, and we have wonderful bus monitors and aides who assist kids who need help.”

She also praises the students’ Smart Tag system, which allows the driver and the school to pinpoint exactly what time and where a student got on and off the bus. “Sometimes you call the name and the student thinks he or she is in trouble and won’t answer. Our drivers maintain these records meticulously, and it provides great peace of mind for everyone.” Meleia herself became a driver because her own daughter wanted to ride the bus to school. “I was apprehensive about putting her on the bus to kindergarten. She tried it for a few weeks and when I saw a post that said the district needed drivers, I got my license so my daughter could ride my bus. She is 22 years old now, and she has always appreciated that she became friends with more of her classmates by riding another neighborhood route with me.” Meleia drove for two years, then worked as a support employee, eventually becoming director in 2013.

Meleia says all 49 buses are in service, and while they are always looking for additional drivers to share this important part of the school day, she is very proud of the diversity of experience her drivers bring to the students’ daily commutes.

THE BUS STOPS HERE

Of their 41 drivers, including those who work on-call, she has teacher aides and full-time drivers, plus a paramedic, and another who retired from the

Department of Justice. “Miguel didn’t need the money,” Meleia says. “He saw that we had a need and he just wanted to give back to the community. So many of our drivers just want to be involved in the school in any way they can, and some are retired but can’t imagine sitting at home. We couldn’t be able to make it without them and most of them agree it helps keep them young.”

Maria Anaya has been driving for LHISD for about ten years, but is celebrating 20 years total as an aide, bus monitor, and substitute. “I just love being with the kids and when I was working with them at the school, I decided to get my license so I could really be with them all day. I love little ones, seeing their smiles, and having the chance to be positive for them in the morning or afternoon. If they have had a hard day, they know they have another friend on the bus.”

Maria has a special place in her heart for her PPCD (special ed) students. “They are all loving and happy and we love getting to know them, and the things that make them happy or anxious. In rain, or in the dark, we do it for them because they need to know someone will be there for them. I may go back to school to get my teaching degree so I can be with them all day, every day.”

KEEPING UP WITH GROWTH

Meleia keeps busy managing new routes and planning for growth and new schools. “It’s always a good thing when we are able to open a new school. While we always promote the safety and efficiency of our school buses, having a new school means more students attend closer to home, can walk or be driven, and do not have long bus commutes that start very early and end late.”

Knowing that the ISD has forecast 13 additional schools in the next ten years, she is becoming expert in evolving routes for time and safety. “With my job, any time I drive by a construction project, my first thought is ‘I wonder how many kids will live there.’”

CELEBRATE YOUR DRIVERS

Meleia says, “We have an exceptional group of people that make up the Transportation Department, I am very grateful to have such wonderful and caring people on my staff. “

Plus, anyone can celebrate the day by showing appreciation to those who build community, make special deliveries, arrive in early hours, help students in need, focus on safety, and more. Maybe give them special cards, special snacks, or just talk with drivers about how much their commitment to student safety means to you, the schools, and the community.

‘BUS’ SCIENCE

The yellow color we associate with school buses plays a vital role when it comes to keeping the folks riding on them safe. It even has its own name... “National School Bus Glossy Yellow“.

Yellow is the most-easily detectable color in the world, particularly in our peripheral vision. It tops the runner-up color, red, by being 1.24 times more detectable to the eye.

Since many children are picked up for the school day in the early morning hours, it is often dark. The bright yellow color stands out, even in the darkest conditions.

As well, bad weather can post challenges for drivers to manipulate the bus safely on the roads. Yellow can easily be seen in these types of weather conditions, giving other drivers plenty of notice that a school bus is in their path.

The contrasting black lettering on the sides of school buses is also more visible on the yellow paint. This makes finding the correct school bus a much easier task for parents and children.

New Member Spotlight

The Liberty Hill Education Foundation is a non-profit organization that partners with the Liberty Hill Independent School District to promote innovative opportunities for all students, and enhance the mission of the school district. The Foundation supports teachers and students where they are, empowering and encouraging them to achieve next-level success by providing opportunities to learn, grow, and meet life goals.

The Education Foundation was formed in November 2019, and is governed by a volunteer board of directors. The board is composed of community and philanthropic leaders committed to improving education and the Liberty Hill community. The Foundation solicits funds from individuals, businesses, and private foundations, then distributes those funds to LHISD to promote educational excellence and innovation programs.

FOUNDATION IN ACTION

The Education Foundation works collaboratively to engage the community in activities that will benefit staff or students. This past year, LHEF partnered with the City of Liberty Hill during Teacher Appreciation week to create a drive-thru celebration, complete with special yard signs and Country Creamery ice cream for the teachers.

In June, The Liberty Hill Independent selected the Education Foundation as a recipient in their Day of Giving charity fundraiser for local non-profits. This was the Education Foundation’s first fundraiser, and thanks to all the wonderful donors, it was a tremendous success.

In December, seven local businesses donated a percentage of their proceeds from the “Holiday Around the Hill” event to LHEF; another incredible display of how the community backs education.

Just before the Christmas break, the Foundation partnered with Perky Beans to deliver coffee treats to all the staff to show appreciation for all their hard work. LHEF is looking forward to future events and opportunities to support teachers and students in the LHISD community, as they are investing in the future of Liberty Hill.

President, John Newberg said, “In our first year as a Foundation, we were met with 2020 challenges, but our board held on to one thing—we were committed to do whatever it took to help staff and students in Liberty Hill ISD. We are certainly proud of what we were able to accomplish this past year, thanks to our gracious donors and devoted board members. The Board is excited about distributing our first round of teacher grants in February, building our donor base, promoting student scholarships, and continuing our path of service for educational excellence in 2021.”

Get involved or learn more at LHeducationfoundation.org