Start your engines! AISD bus drivers and families head back to school.

It’s the first day of school at AISD, and more than 85,000 students across the city are packing up their backpacks, sharpening their pencils (or clicking their mechanical ones), and setting those cell phones to vibrate to prepare for another year. But before they take their seats or meet their teachers, many students first have to board the bus to school. Our bus drivers are some of the earliest risers in the district and are up before the sun to prepare for the first day of the 2013-14 school year.



So I started my day with them at the Southeast Bus Terminal--which welcomed employees today for the first time. AISD employs 420 bus drivers who help carry 22,000 students from their homes, to school, and back again, and it’s always a thrill to start the school year sending these folks off right—with breakfast tacos, fruit and coffee. After all, we always remind our students and families that a solid breakfast is a great way to start the day, and we want the same for our drivers, who are responsible for getting our students to school safely.

This mother-daughter team of bus drivers have been with the district a combined 16 years. Thank you for all you do!

Chief Operations Officer Lawrence Fryer and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Pauline Dow joined me in welcoming our drivers back to school.

Of course, it’s not all up to the drivers; those who share the road need to do their part, too. As we begin another school year, students and families should keep in mind the importance of school safety. No matter how our students arrive at school, remember:

1. Never pass a school bus when you see the flashing lights. It means that kids are getting on or off the bus, which leaves them vulnerable to traffic. So, please stop for the flashing lights – it’s not only a good idea, it’s the law.

2. We recommend that parents and guardians accompany all children under the age of 10 to and from schools and bus stops. This is the most important step you can take to ensure that your child arrives at school every day, safe and on time. The educators who care for your students during the school day will breathe easier knowing you’ll be there to drop them off or pick them up.

I want to send out a big thank you to all our drivers who make sure our kids get to school safely and on time. And I would like to remind parents, that another component of student safety is student health. Remember to ensure your child has the proper immunizations before starting school so all of our kids and be healthy and in class.

If the rest of the school year is as energetic and as positive as my morning with AISD’s transportation professionals, I know it will be a great one.

Let’s hit the road!