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Every school year starts with a simple truth: for an hour or two twice a day, your kids become my kids. I don’t just see myself as someone steering a route. I treat every child on my bus with the same care, affection, and fierce protectiveness I would give my own children or grandchildren. Their safety, well-being, and peace of mind are always my top priorities.
The Reality of the First Week’s Heat
Navigating the first week of school was a grueling test of endurance. With severe heat advisories in full effect, riding a bus without air conditioning is tough. To make matters worse, safety protocols on dusty gravel roads mean we can only roll the windows down halfway. Picture sixty hot, tired kids in a metal box, dust swirling through the air, and heat radiating off every surface.
Behind the Wheel: We’re on the Same Team
No driver wants a child to be uncomfortable, and we certainly don’t want to upset parents. We feel every degree of that scorching air right along with the kids. We do everything in our power to keep them safe, calm, and hydrated under tough conditions. When tensions run high at the bus stop, please remember that we are on the exact same team, working hard to bring your world home safely every single day.
A Creative Solution Shut Down
To combat the extreme heat, I brought a cooler filled with ice water and enough washcloths for every rider. I invited the kids to dip a cloth in the cold water to wipe down their face, neck, and arms, and then place the used cloth into a separate plastic bag. The kids loved it and said it helped them feel so much better, especially on routes lasting up to an hour and a half.
Unfortunately, one parent complained, calling the gesture “gross” and citing concerns about allergies, lotion, or perfumes from other kids. Despite explaining that participation was optional and that I washed the cloths every night, she reported the practice to my supervisor. As a result, I am no longer allowed to offer the cold washcloths.
A Reflection on Doing Good
I felt deeply frustrated by this outcome. Am I wrong to feel angry about not being allowed to continue this gesture, or do you agree with the parent that I shouldn’t have offered them in the first place?
Yesterday is today’s memory.
Be sure to capture your memory today!
All the best,.
Debra Ellen
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