Bus drivers up before the dawn

Long before classes begin, long even before the sun comes up this time of year, some school employees are on the job. They're the first representative of the school system that many children see in the morning and the last they see in the afternoon.

Bus drivers deserve all the appreciation they can get.

"I definitely have a lot of respect for them — there's a lot to it," commented Clint Jones, transportation director for USD 382, bragging on the drivers' excellent safety record for 10,000 annual miles on regular routes and 20,000 for activities.

A good driving record is a prerequisite for the job. Beyond that, a driver has to work well with people, be kid-friendly, a good role model and communicate well with parents, Mike Sanders, superintendent at USD 438, said. They also have to pass a background check, physical examination, CPR and driver safety classes.

Gov. Sam Brownback has proclaimed Oct. 17 as School Bus Drivers' Appreciation Day.

Marsha Giggy's "adventure" began 27 years ago when she had three small children and the Pratt school district needed a driver.

"I thought to myself, who better than their mother could get them safely to school," she said.

It was a challenge to get everyone out of the house early, with beds made and breakfast eaten — she may have been a bit of a drill sergeant, she admitted. Her kids didn't like always being first on and last off the bus from Iuka, but her supplemental job provided some of the "little trinkets" they enjoyed.

Today's she's transporting the children of her earliest bus riders, and supposes it won't be long before she gets the grandchildren.

Her favorite part of the job is the enthusiasm and energy of the kids.

"My only regret is that I did not write down some of the funny things that were said or done throughout the years — it would make a great book," Giggy said. "I love their young energy, even though sometimes I have to ask the energy be contained."

Her least favorite aspect of the job also has to do with the kids. Often they have incredibly funny stories to tell, like a recent one about an experience with a possum, but at other times she is aware of the suffering and heartache in their lives.

Discipline is always a concern, because it relates to safety, but not a big problem for Giggy.

"I know all the families I transport. I feel like if I have an issue I can call," she said. "They have all been very receptive and supportive."

Her most feared driving condition is fog because it's like driving blindfolded. Fog prompts a special set of rules — no one is allowed to sit in the back of the bus at least until they get into Pratt.

"If someone hit the rear end at 65 miles and hour, it would be devastating — there's no protection for those back seats," she explained.

On other days, the tradition is that little kids sit in the front of the bus and big kids in the back — "unless you have an issue, then you get to come talk to me."

They tease her about her role in Iuka. "Don't make the mayor mad," they tell each other.

Giggy also works as a rebate analyst at Stanion Electric, where the Purple Butterfly bus is parked during the day.

Sandra Hirt's day begins about 6:30, when she goes out to start the Skyline bus parked at her home in Sawyer. She begins the inspection that precedes every trip, checking the fluids, lights, horn, warning systems and tires. Although important, it's her least favorite part of the job.

She took the job 12 years ago, because it fit well with her children's schedule, and, as an activity in addition to a route driver, she could attend their sports events. The wife of a farmer, she is available during the middle of the day to drive a truck, run errands or attend to paperwork. Her youngest child graduated last year, but she thinks she will continue to drive for a while. The extra income is nice with kids in college, she said.

What's the best part of her job?

"Definitely not getting up early in the mornings," she laughed. "I enjoy the kids. It's fun to interact with them. I enjoy having that influence on them."

The job comes with a nice perk: "I walk down the halls at Skyline and the kids hug me and say 'that's my bus driver.'"

She's been stranded twice by mechanical problems, once in Wichita on the way to a track meet. The Goddard school district loaned a bus, and another time she stayed with the bus until Skyline's maintenance director could bring a replacement. Another school district helped out that time also.

She's never hit a deer, although she's come close, has had a couple of flat tires, which is "pretty scary" and has slid off the road in mud only once.

"I think that's pretty good for 12 years," she said.

A child has never been injured on her bus.

Driving on ice is her biggest worry. The district usually cancels school if weather is bad in the mornings, but occasionally a storm will move in after the children are at school. Discipline isn't much of an issue — nobody wants to sit in an assigned seat.

Brownback's proclamation notes that drivers must have a good sense of humor and a bottomless pit of patience; and that they give pupils a good start on the day, dry tears, dispel fears, find lost notebooks and faithfully deliver students safely to their destinations.