I don't know if this is New York State only but this is what I found. We usually get carnations for each bus driver to wear this year I was thinking of adding a $5.00 gift card to our local coffee shop but seeing key chains I wonder if that would be nicer.
May 17 - 21 is School Transportation Personnel Appreciation Week - This is the official week when we celebrate the hard work and dedication to safety that is exhibited by our school bus drivers, monitors, attendants, mechanics, dispatchers, transportation supervisors, SBDIs and MIs. Thanks to their efforts the 2.3 million pupils, transported on yellow buses each day from home to school and back again, have a safe and enjoyable experience. So please take a few minutes out during the school week to express your appreciation to a school bus driver and other members of the pupil transportation team. (5/3/04)
Just a bit of trivia for you on this topic that I picked up at a meeting last night. Info provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children:
Every eyar approximately 440,000 public school buses travel approximately 4.3 billion miles (that's with a to transport 23.5 million children to and from school and school-related activities.
Thought that was pretty powerful when you're discussing bus drivers.
I don't know that there is any such set day. We just decided to do them a few years ago and have always picked a day in the Spring. We try to make sure it's not one when the driver's are busy on field trips!
I would check with a couple bakeries about items that maybe a day old but like yesterdays baked items that they would have thrown away anyway. I know Atlantice Bread Company is REALLY good about donating their baked goods, you have to pick it up when the store closes but I can deal with that! Now if you want to be creative, have loaves of bread decorated like buses with donut wheels etc. OR how about a snack or late lunch for them before they go out on their routes? An afternoon tea? Or an ice cream social (Blue Bunny may donate if they are in your area). Have fun with this!! OH...one more...talk to the "main driver"/their boss, see what is something they CAN use! Sunglasses? Water bottles? Gloves? Ear Plugs (okay I really like that one!
How about school t-shirts? Or a summer fun theme with a beachball, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.? Or how about a summer fun theme with the t-shirt? Things don't have to get expensive. Remember it's the thought that counts.
Sure do appreciate those bus drivers!