Florence 1’s Transportation Department “Keeps Education Rolling”
If you’ve ever seen a yellow school bus riding down the road in Florence, you have seen just one piece of the large puzzle that is the Florence 1 Schools Transportation Department. In a district of more than 16,000 students, nearly half of those students are bus riders. Transportation Director Mitchell Washington said he takes pride in the trust parents put in his team who travels roughly 10,500 miles each day, across 375 runs, getting students to and from school safely.
“I am honored to serve as the Director of Transportation for Florence 1 Schools,” Washington said. “Our department motto is “We Keep Education Rolling” because, through every challenge we face, our goal remains the same: putting Students First. For the Transportation Department, that means keeping safety at the forefront of what we do. Each day we encounter new obstacles, but I am thankful for my staff and their commitment to the
Washington said that his team goes through rigorous training each year, staying up to date on both state and district policies and procedures.
“Along with yearly first aid training, my drivers are also evaluated through recertification assessments and a Physical Performance Test (PPT),” Washington said. “Before the school year starts, our drivers do test runs of their routes to learn where each stop is. I am grateful for the support our District Administration provides. We are focused on growth and creating a culture of positive innovation and it truly takes all stakeholders to assist in providing efficient and safe transportation to our students.”
Outside of the school day, you may find members of the transportation staff uplifting through song. The V.O.T. (Voices of Transportation) Choir is active in the community, participating in events held throughout the Pee Dee and surrounding areas with a vision ‘To Bring Forth Unity.’
Just as a bus has become synonymous with school, some Florence 1 bus drivers have become just as iconic as the yellow bus they drive.
Earlier this year, Kay Joyner was recognized by the South Carolina Association for Pupil Transportation (SCAPT) for her long career as a bus driver. She works as a
Mitchell Washington and Kay Joyner
classroom assistant at Brockington Elementary School and has been driving a bus for 44 years. Joyner said that she never expected to be working in education.
“I had just graduated from Timmonsville High School and I was waiting to see what August brought,” Joyner said. “I came by the elementary school one day with my mama to pay for my little brother’s pictures and the principal of the school asked me if I wanted to be a substitute. After that day, she would say, can you come back tomorrow or she would call me and say, can you come in to substitute today? It got to the point that she told me just to come in every day and I have been here ever since.”
Joyner substituted one year before she was hired the following August as a kindergarten classroom assistant. Every year since she has worked in a 4K or 5K class and driven a bus.
“This year, I have a little boy in my class that I used to drive his mama. I told him to go home and ask her if she remembered me. He came back the very next day and said that his mama remembered me driving her to basketball,” Joyner said with a smile.
Joyner said that she gets attached to the kids she works with and feels very proud to know that the Timmonsville community has put their confidence in her.
Brockington Principal Wanda Williams-Parrott said that Joyner is the “face of Brockington.
“Ms. Kay knows everyone and has probably worked in every part of our campus,” Williams-Parrott said. “She is dedicated and loyal and just makes everyone feel welcome and special when they are at Brockington. We are blessed to have her.”
The Florence 1 Schools Transportation Department plays a crucial role in education, serving as the essential link between school and home for the students who rely on the bus each day. Their hard work and dedication make a difference in the lives of students, sometimes through a simple smile in the morning or an encouraging word as students exit their bus. Florence 1 Schools is grateful for each member of the Transportation team who helps the district put Students First.
SEPTEMBER
Reformers Unanimous Program
Florence Baptist Temple 9:15
Cook Out Southern 500, Darlington Raceway 6p
Every Sunday
Intro to Landscape Painting Class, Flo Co Library
Reformers Unanimous Program
Florence Baptist Temple 9:15a
Paper Succulents Workshop, Growing Hobby, Florence 2p
Reformers Unanimous Program
Florence Baptist Temple 9:15a
Reformers Unanimous Program, Florence Baptist Temple 9:15a
Mannequin Head Planter Workshop, Growing Hobby, Florence 2p Dog Day, YMCA 2p-4p
Reformers Unanimous Program Florence Baptist Temple 9:15a
SC Bridal Showcase Florence Center 1p-5p
Trivia Tuesday, Local Motive Brewing 7p
Warbirds at the Flying Tigers, Flying Tigers Field, Scranton 7p
Trivia Tuesday, Local Motive Brewing 7p
Artful Expression Group for Cancer Patients and Caregivers Meet, Florence County Museum
Trivia Tuesday, Local Motive Brewing 7p
Showroom Grand Opening Stone Quarters, S Cashua Dr
Paint Your Own Mushroom Fairy House for Adults 18+, Florence County Library 5:30p
Trivia Tuesday, Local Motive 7p
Seminar
Seminar
September 7-15 Downtown Florence Restaurant Week Begins
City Center Farmers Market, Downtown Every Saturday, 9a-12p
Trivia,
Brewing
Trivia,
Brewing
Barbie and for 5K - 5th
Florence County Trivia, Seminar Brewing
Pickle Mafia FMU PAC Trivia, Seminar Brewing
SEPTEMBER 2024
Trivia, Brewing 7p-7p
The Good Neighbor Gala, Florence Country Club 5:30p
Zumba Night (every Thursday), Move with Coach T 6:30p
Open Mic Night (every Thursday), Lula’s Coffee-Southside 7p
Trivia, Brewing 7p-9p
Carnival, Presbyterian Church 5:30p
Ken Club 5th Graders, County Library 3:30p
Trivia, Brewing 7p-9p
Mafia Power Trio PAC 7:30p Trivia, Brewing 7p-9p
Naomi Project Annual Lunch, St. John's Church 10a
Cooks for Christ Benefit, West Florence Fire Dept
Singing for Suppers Karoake Benefit, James Allen Plaza 6p-9p
An Evening of Hope Cancer Benefit, FMU PAC 6p
Author Talk with Caleb Wygal, Florence Co Library 6p-7:30p
September 6-17 CAT, Florence Little Theatre
Growlin' on The Green, Traces Golf Course 12p
Reformers Unanimous Program Florence Baptist Temple 7p
Tap Into Downtown, Downtown 5:30p-7:30p
Reformers Unanimous Program Florence Baptist Temple 7p
Annual Day of Caring, United Way of Florence
Flo Family YMCA Golf Classic, Traces Golf Course
Reformers Unanimous Program Florence Baptist Temple 7p
Florence After 5The Main Event, Downtown 5:30p
Reformers Unanimous Program, Florence Baptist Temple 7p
Tandem 2024 - Women's Retreat Compassion Church 9a
Love to Give 5K Walk & Run, Briggs Elementary 9a
Run for Brighter Days, Lynches River State Park 8:30a
Power Comicon, Flo Center 10a
Music of Billy Joel / Elton John, FMU PAC 7:30p
Moore Farms Beer Fest, Lake City
Cars and Coffee, Mike Reichenbach Ford 9a
Blues Jam, Seminar Brewing 3p-6p
Smalls on Saturday, Two Girls Treasures
Brantley Gilbert Tour, Florence Center 7p
Micky Dolenz, FMU PAC 7:30p
LANDSCAPE
LANDSCAPE
TREE
RESTAURANT
TIMBER
RESTAURANT
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