(ROCKWALL, TX – Feb. 14, 2018) If you’re driving around Rockwall you will likely see a Rockwall ISD school bus throughout the day, but if you look closely, you just might see a Valentine Bus.
How do you know if it’s a Valentine Bus? The most obvious identifier is the large red heart on the front, but that’s not all. You can also tell by the decorations inside and the smiles on the children’s faces.
The bus drivers who drive these Valentine Buses are Alma Garcia, Kristen Johnson, Patricia Martinez, Kyra McCaw and Landon McClellan.
They take pride in decorating their buses for most major holidays.
“It makes it fun for students to get on the bus,” said Kyra. “The little kids especially. They get nervous getting on the bus, not wanting to leave mom in the morning. So, it helps them with that.”
“Everyone says it’s a cute bus, on the outside and on the inside too,” said Patricia. “I work with the babies. This is a baby bus.”
The “baby bus” Patricia is referring to is the Head Start bus, which carries three and four-year olds. The decorations can play a role in making the transition from home to school easier.
“The four-year olds really get excited about the holidays,” said Landon. “They can identify this bus versus some of the other buses and it’s easier for them to find us in the lineup.”
On Landon’s bus, you can see a cupid bobble head a student gave him adorning the dashboard, steadily nodding as if approving of the effort Landon has made on behalf of the students.
“One student gave me a stuffed lizard,” said Kristen. “It’s a joke. The kids call me Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus because I’m always doing space themes.”
There are so many holidays in the year. What holiday is up next for these buses?
“I’m changing into spring,” said Kristen.” “I’ll be taking down the hearts and putting up flowers. I have some shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day.”
So, the next time you see a Rockwall ISD bus, look closely. It might just be the happiest bus in town.
Story and photos submitted by Steven Offield, Communications Coordinator, Rockwall ISD.
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