Garrettsville – While the James A. Garfield School District has many unsung heroes who help make each school day run smoothly, the fourth graders in Mrs. Westover’s class decided to make it their mission to show their gratitude to twelve such people last Wednesday, February 22nd on Bus Driver Appreciation Day.
Elementary students signed cards in the library for each driver, and the Garfield PTO provided coffee and breakfast sandwiches after the morning bus run. But at 9:30 that day, Mrs. Westover and her 4th-grade class decided to show up in person to show their appreciation with a little sweat equity. The class split up into teams and boarded buses to sweep the floor, sanitize seats and polish windows on the district’s fleet of school buses.
Just like the drivers who head out in all manner of weather to transport kids safely to school during a cold downpour, Mrs. Westover and her students trekked across campus to the Bus Garage. The group was armed with sanitizing wipes, glass cleaner, and the excitement of having an opportunity to show their bus drivers some appreciation by giving the buses a good cleaning. They were accompanied by Miss Stephanie, who drives Bus 11 and works as a clerk in the Elementary School office.
Mrs. Ensinger asked the group why they wanted to clean the buses. Nolan explained, “In class, we’ve been learning to help others.” Mrs. Westover shared that since January, students have been learning about countless individuals of all ages who did things to make a difference in their communities. Not surprisingly, they learned about Dr. Martin Luther King, who used his skills of speaking and gathering to organize Civil Rights protest and marches to help change laws. The class read stories of many individuals who helped create a better world, one small act at a time.
They learned about how a 10-year-old girl – a kid like them – spoke up in order to help protect endangered sea turtles. Today, coastal communities around the country have laws in place limiting light pollution during endangered and threatened sea turtle mating seasons, showing that even kids have the power to make lasting changes.
As a part of class discussions, the students were asked what they could do to make their school and community better. Since most students ride the bus each day, the opportunity to show their bus drivers appreciation was a perfect fit. While some students explained a bit about some of the people they learned about in class, a few others had different reasons to serve. David answered honestly, “On bus three, we acted terrible, and I wanted to make up for it.” Gavin added, “I like cleaning!”
Miss Stephanie noted that drivers are paid to clean their buses for one hour each week; most spend more time on this necessary task. She noted that she and her fellow drivers really appreciated the fourth graders’ gift of service.
According to Mrs. Ensinger, JAG students in every grade regularly serve. Third graders help maintain the Melana Matson memorial garden near the school entrance. Fifth graders help beautify the campus by spreading mulch in flower beds. The sixth graders help beautify the Village cemetery prior to Memorial Day observances. Activities like these, as well as Bus Driver Appreciation Day tie in well to the Elementary School’s pledge to ‘be excellent on purpose.’
