Valentine's Day celebrations usually take place in classrooms, but this year, several bus drivers extended the festivities to their buses as part of the American School Bus Council's Love the Bus program. Several drivers for Clover Park School District in Lakewood, Wash., decorated their buses and many others received special Valentine's greetings from students and staff members.

Bus driver Sidney Gilbert takes a break from decorating her bus as part of the national Love the Bus program sponsored by ASBC.

The Love the Bus program was founded in 2007 by ASBC to raise awareness and appreciation for the hundreds of thousands of school bus drivers who safely transport more than 26 million school children to and from school each day. The most publicized event occurred on Feb. 22 in Takoma Park, Md., where U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and congressional members met with elementary school children and their bus driver. Events also took place from Florida to California to Wisconsin and hundreds of other points in between.

"It's very touching when my students go out of their way to thank me," said Ed Jacobs, who drives Lake Louise Elementary School and Mann Middle School students. "I received at least 50 Valentines this year, which was a big surprise and a lot of fun. It made my day! I also truly appreciate the support I receive from school staff, who never hesitate to support and thank us."