knows that these areas help the school system run effectively and efficiently. Tey are called “support” for a reason! Tey are all called upon to support the instructional process in varied and unique ways. Sometimes it’s not obvious how these support services affect
learning. So, let’s take a look at this picture from ground level. Or, as my staff says, let’s see “how the sausage is made.” Providing students with transportation to and from school,
extracurricular activities and athletic events is a key component of our service to students. Sure, we have many very committed parents who would and could drive their children to and from school every day. But, what about the parents who for a variety of reasons are not able to provide transportation? It’s probably not too far off to say that some of these students would become dropouts, falling through the cracks at a very early age, if they had trouble getting to school. Tink about it. Every day, millions of children board buses to
and from school, and the first and last face they see on their jour- ney is the bus driver. Tat person can set the stage for a successful day at school, offering a smile, words of encouragement and con- versation about the latest ball game or television show. Te bus driver can also help smooth out the wrinkles of a less than stellar day, lending an ear and giving support. If you think about it, transportation professionals are the only ones who can affect a student in that way. Tey know their rid-
ers as well as the teachers know them, but in a different way — a personal way. Tey make connections with these students, and those connections can affect the way the student views school and learning. Every child needs at least one adult outside the family who can serve as an advocate — and a transportation em- ployee is often that person. It makes sense, then, to include transportation professionals in
reform efforts. Tere is a definite void in the educational process if the transportation department isn’t represented around the table. As well, the transportation personnel must be willing to sit at that table and understand the instructional programs and the methodology behind their implementation. Everyone must be willing to participate in the systemic cooperative model. Stop and think about it. Making sure students get to and from
school as well as to and from various activities safely is one of the most critical jobs in the world. Who else can say, “I am the first and last face a student sees each day”? School transportation professionals making a difference in
a child’s achievement? You bet! Every day, of every week, of every year. n
Musso is the executive director of the Association of School Busi- ness Officials International and will present a keynote address on July 27 at the STN EXPO in Reno.
See Us At Booth # 144
www.stnonline.com 87
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92