The bus is a helpful option that kids can ride to school, it sometimes is a way to get to school for the kids, but it also provides parents a much-needed service. As well as being helpful for the parents, students are supposed to get a chance to relax and talk with friends after the school day.
“[When] my mom was running late for work. It also gives her a chance for transportation for me or my siblings,” junior Audrina Barry said.
Rock Creek’s enrollment is continually growing which impacts our transportation. The more students the more behavior that needs to be addressed. The bus drivers have to deal with students being loud and not following direction while the driver is trying to keep eyes on the road and focus on making sure that all the kids are safe.
“The discipline on the bus is a big thing, and the kids have no respect for their surroundings.” bus driver Barb Tebbutt said.
While some students can drive themselves to and from school, others prefer to take the bus.
“It [riding the bus] saves a lot of gas money, and it’s just easy,” sophomore Cooper McComb said. While students take advantage of savings and utilize the buses it remains a struggle with the crowding issue. Everyone seems to have some suggestions on how to elevate the overflow students. However, some solutions are hard to execute.
“Well more bus drivers, but they’re hard to come by.” Tebbutt said. The school has been advertising for bus drivers in the weekly Friday newsletter from the superintendent Joan Simoneau since the beginning of the school year.
“Get another bus because they all go to the same school,” McComb said. Students suggest getting another bus however, that will not help the fact we cannot get people to apply for the original bus driving positions we do have open.
“Getting another bus and or having people get on the middle school bus,” Barry said. Is a recommendation that both students and bus drivers can agree on. No matter the solution that the school comes up with the bus drivers appreciate the time on the bus to build close relationships and some bus drivers find joy in interacting with all the students.
“I get to interact with the kids and the little kids that give you hugs when you least expect it,” Tebbutt said.
