North San Antonio News

This week we celebrated all that school bus drivers, aids and transportation staff do. 

(MEDINA VALLEY ISD — Feb. 24, 2023) — Apart from those closest to them, most of the time, school bus drivers and their aides are the first to greet students each morning. 

This week is National School Bus Driver Appreciation Week, and Medina Valley ISD has focused on the contributions drivers, aids and transportation staff make across the district. 

“We’re just super appreciative of everything they do,” said Tobie Kennedy, director of transportation. “This is not an easy job. They’re hauling precious cargo.”

Bus drivers ensure students are transported to and from school safely. 

Mr. Kennedy helped serve a pancake breakfast Friday to his staff. He said many bus drivers and aides have long days, starting around 4:45 a.m. and ending at 7 p.m. 

One of those aides is Rosario Pena, who starts her route at 4:50 a.m. and ends at 6:30 pm.

Pena has been a bus aide for 30 years. She makes sure students’ needs are met on the bus, including making sure their seatbelts are securely fastened. 

When asked what would be the highlight of her day, Pena said “The smile on the kids’ faces when they get on.”

For Bus Driver Eleuterio Martinez, driving students around is a joy. He said students make him laugh with the unpredictable things they say. 

“I like driving. I enjoy the kids — they will say anything and it’s a breath of fresh air,” Martinez, who has been driving for 15 years, said. “I’ve enjoyed it and hope to continue going for a couple more years.”

Original source can be found here.