Mt. Diablo Unified Celebrates Bus Drivers Appreciation Day

From Mt. Diablo Unified School District: The Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) will join the California Department of Education in marking April 25 as School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, honoring the hundreds of drivers across the state who carefully transport thousands of students each day, driving millions of miles annually in a safe, professional, competent, and respectful manner.

“Our school bus drivers are, for thousands of our students, the first face of the school day, and part of an important family of MDUSD staff who, collectively, make up the family away from home for our students,” said Dr. Nellie Meyer, Superintendent of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. “We are incredibly fortunate to have drivers, mechanics, and other transportation team members who have served our students and community for many years, taking seriously the charge of safely transporting students to and from schools each day.”

The school buses operated by the Transportation department of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District travel a 150-square mile radius each day. They presently transport more than 2,000 regular and Special Education students each day to 49 school sites and centers. The fleet of 106 buses drives over 2 million miles a year. The Transportation department also transports students on over 300 athletic trips and over 1,500 field trips each year.

“Our drivers and mechanics start their day early,” said Meyer. “They’re often on the road before 6:30 a.m., and their cargo could not be any more precious or important. The relationships they develop with our students and their families are some of the most important in our district.”

School bus drivers in California are required to meet very rigorous program qualifications from the California Department of Education, and undergo an intense testing and application process with the California Highway Patrol. School bus driver candidates are welcome to apply to MDUSD at any time. Application materials include:

• School Bus Driver Trainee
• School Bus Driver Trainee – Requirements
• School Bus Driver Trainee – 10 Year Work History
• School Bus Driver Trainee – Supplemental Questionnaire

MDUSD drivers will be treated to special refreshments on Tuesday, as well as a surprise for each driver.

Photos courtesy of Mt. Diablo Unified School District and Shutterstock