AVON STUDENTS DELIVER VALENTINE’S DAY SURPRISE TO BUS DRIVERS

Bus drivers in Avon had a special Valentine’s Day surprise this year from students at Roaring Brook Elementary School: hand-made Valentine cards with notes of thanks and appreciation inside.

The students at the school came up with the idea when their art teacher, Ms. Su Hovey, asked them for ways to use Valentine’s Day to celebrate good character. Ms. Hovey is a member of the school’s CARE Team (Character Awareness Resource Effort), which finds ways to integrate character-building themes – including respect, responsibility, self-discipline, honesty, and good citizenship – throughout the entire curriculum. And, she is a bus monitor, so she sees first hand how the drivers and students interact.

“Our bus drivers set great examples for the children in so many ways from being on time every day, to driving safely, to asking the kids how they’re feeling,” Ms. Hovey said. “The kids notice how the bus drivers behave, and they appreciate what they do each day. These cards were a wonderful way for the kids to show their creativity while thanking the drivers who are so important to our community.”

Students in grades K-4 participated in the project, drawing pictures of the bus and the drivers. Inside each card, the students added a short message of thanks, including:

“Doris is nice. She gave me a paper towel when I lost my tooth.” Sarah.

“Steve and Chester are responsible because they follow the rules of the road.” Jensen.

“Clyde, you are careful in the snow.” Billy.

“Ed, I like the way you always wait until everyone sits down before you move. I have never seen you miss a bus stop. You are very responsible, kind, respectful, honest and a good citizen of Avon.” (name??)

“Thank you, Steve, for always being on time in the morning.” Megan

“Rich is patient even when we are noisy.” Billy.

Ms. Hovey placed the cards in a special book for each driver and prepared a package with candy and her own note: “The children wish to thank you for being so kind, responsible, patient, and accepting of them. They notice you make important decisions, are in control, and are good citizens of the road. Everyone knows that you persevere when the going gets tough. We hope you enjoy this special book the children have created for you during their art classes. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Ms. Hovey also sent a copy of some of the cards to DATTCO, the bus company that services Avon. “We wanted them to know how much the kids appreciate and like their bus drivers,” she said.

Since this project was so well received by the children and the drivers, Ms. Hovey expects to use it again in future years. And, the children have already begun another art project that illustrates how their own behavior on the bus builds good character.