According to Shawn West, director of transportation for the Prescott Unified School District (PUSD), when asked by the Daily Courier if there was a bus drivers’ appreciation week, he said, “Yes, as a matter of fact, there is. It is the third week in October and is celebrated by the PUSD schools.”
These 44 full- and part-time Arizona bus drivers are safely transporting 1,522 students a day and over 520,000 miles a year to appointed schools.
“To celebrate, the schools decorate the bus stops with banners and food service distributes sack lunches to the drivers as they stop at the schools,” West said.
According to the drivers, this is a much appreciated event and a highlight of the school year.
Bus drivers are the first school district employee the students see each morning and the last one they see each night. They feel it’s important to greet each student to start their day on a positive note and to end each day with the children feeling good about their experience at school.
PUSD also has six special needs drivers and aides who are dedicated solely to transporting approximately 110 special needs students from their home and back each day.
