It’s School Bus Safety Week
National School Bus Safety Week is observed this week, October 21-25. The artwork for this year’s poster was created by Shivangi Ojha of Lake Belton Middle School, in Temple, Tx.
National School Bus Safety Week is upon us and Manchester’s school bus drivers want you to know that your school bus is the safest form of student transportation!
Manchester’s bus drivers work hard to make sure that our students arrive at school (and back home) safely each day. They take pride in their jobs and they drive a school bus because they love it and they love the kids. Many of them have been part of the transportation “family” for a long time. Here’s a little bit of background on our drivers–you may find out something you never knew about some of your favorite people!
Deborah Heskett, Transportation Coordinator:
Born in November, Debbie was born and raised right here in Manchester. She’s been married for 39 years to the man of her dreams. She has two grown children and five grandchildren.
Debbie has been a bus driver for 32 years. She started driving in New York State when her youngest was in kindergarten. She drove a couple years in Oklahoma as well, and came back to Manchester and because she always wanted to drive a bus in her hometown, she began driving for MCS 24 years ago. She started because it was the perfect job for a mom, but quickly found that she loves the kids–talking to them, seeing them smile when they come to the bus, hearing about their families, and helping them work out problems–they really are the best part of this job.
Debbies hobbies include her hobby farm–raising dairy goats and riding horses. She also loves to learn to do things the “old fashioned way.” Her favorite foods include homemade bread, steak, and baked sweet potatoes. She loves summer because she enjoys being outside, but really loves the beauty and wonder of every season, especially Christmas!
Jill Bondy:
Jill has been a bus driver for 20 years. She wanted a job where she could be home with her kids when they were off school, so she started driving when her youngest was in kindergarten. Her mother-in-law also drove here for 25 years, so there has been a “Mrs. Bondy” driving a school bus at MCS for 45 years.
Jill grew up here in Manchester and has been married to Greg for 33 years. They have three grown children, two granddaughters, and two more grandchildren on the way. She enjoys spending time with her family and going on motorcycle trips with her husband.
Her favorite foods include Mexican food and a good steak, but she adds, “You can never go wrong with chocolate!” Jill loves the cooler weather in spring and fall–and spring wildlife and fall colors. Her favorite holiday is Christmas; but any time the family is together is what she really enjoys.
Asked what she likes about her job, she says, “I’m not a morning person, so it’s definitely not getting up early!” But it’s about the little things–smiles on the kids’ faces, a wave as they get off the bus, seeing the excitement when someone has something fun to tell you. The sunrises and the wildlife. “And when parents and kids make you feel appreciated, that makes it all worthwhile.”
Mike Comfort:
Mike is a new driver, just coming to MCS this year. He felt compelled to become a bus driver after talking with other drivers and being encouraged to give it a try. He was also looking for a change from retail.
His birthday is in December; his favorite food is pizza; and he enjoys playing computer games.
Mike’s favorite time of year is winter and he enjoys Christmas most of all.
Karen Lorincz:
Karen Lorincz
Karen has worked for MCS for 19 years. She started out as a crossing guard in town and decided to give bus driving a try. She also woks in food service and delivers the school mail. Karen says she has had other jobs, but this one is definitely her favorite!
Karen was born in October. She is originally from Pennsylvania and is a Steelers fan. Karen and her husband of 41 years moved to Manchester after his job transferred them here. They have two
grown children, both graduates of Manchester. They also have two cats, formerly strays, that Karen loves to snuggle with. Her favorite holidays are Easter and Christmas. She loves to crochet and is part of the local “chain gang” that makes hats for preemies. She likes homemade foods and NOT sushi!
When asked what she likes best about her job she says she loves being with the kids; they make her feel young. There’s a saying, “once a kid steps on my bus, they’re always ‘my’ kid,” and that is so true. “I will love your child, wipe their tears, laugh with them, and hug them as if they were mine,” she says. She also loves the people she works with–her family away from home.
Mya Ross:
Mya came to work for MCS this fall as a bus monitor. So far, she loves her job! She enjoys being part of the start and end of the kids’ school day. She brings positivity and kindness, which carries into the rest of their day. She loves the kids and the people at MCS Transportation and we are thankful for her.
Mya was born in September and comes from a family with three sisters and her parents that mean the world to her. She is engaged to be married next August; she and her fiancé have three cats that they love and care for.
She decided to come to work here because she loves Manchester and wants to raise her family here. Her hobbies include reading, drawing, art, and music–she was in Choir all through high school. Her favorite foods include chicken, sushi, BLTs, quinoa, chips, and hummus. But, she adds, if she had it her way, she would eat breakfast for every meal! She loves autumn: 65 degrees, pumpkins, football games, festivals, and colored leaves. Her favorite holidays are Halloween and Christmas.
Anjie Smith:
Anjie Smith
Anjie came to work for MCS Transportation last spring. After moving to Manchester two years ago, she wanted to be more involved in her own community. She has been a bus driver in other communities for 12 years. Anjie enjoys the awesome kids on her route, her coworkers, and living close enough to walk to work! She says, “The best part of waking up is being a bus driver!”
Anjie was born in April, and has two daughters and a son. She also has three grandchildren–two boys and a girl, all of whom she adores. She also enjoys her rescue dog, Zeus, a Pit/Mastiff mix. Her favorite thing to do? Mow lawns! She has a lawn care business in addition to driving a school bus.
Anjie’s favorite foods include anything her son cooks (he’s a chef), Frank’s calzones, and lasagna. Her favorite holiday is Thanksgiving–and we are thankful for her.
Dennis Sullivan
Known for his quick wit, Dennis says he was born some Tuesday back in history. He has worked for MCS on and off since 2003, and has driven a school bus for 16 years. He enjoys driving and working with children in his home community.
His hobbies include old cars and computers. He claims that his favorite foods are anything that move slower than he does. His favorite season is “today,” and his favorite holiday is Christmas.
When asks what makes him enjoy his job, his response was, “The openness of children; the power of a diesel at my command; and the opportunity to serve my community.”
Heather Tedder:
Heather Tedder
Heather has been driving school bus for Manchester Community Schools for 15 years. She was compelled to become a bus driver after her children’s bus driver told her what a great job this would be for her. In the beginning, it was about being able to spend more time with her own children, driving them to school, to sports events, and on field trips But she quickly bonded with all the students on her bus route, and they became second family to her.
Her two sons have graduated; the oldest is a Paleoartist, and her younger son attends LSSU in Sault Ste. Marie. Her husband of 29 years is a race car fabricator and special projects concepts.
She was born on November 5, and her hobbies include horses, camping, hunting, fishing, and gardening. Some of her favorite foods are seafood, Mexican, and Chinese food. Her favorite time of year is summer, but she enjoys every season, and her favorite holiday is Christmas.
Marlene Vargo:
Also known as “Mrs. V”, Marlene has been driving a school bus for 32 years. She retired a couple years ago, but continues to work as a substitute bus driver. She enjoys driving the bus, getting to know the kids, and the people she works with.
She has been married for 47 years and has lived in Manchester for 42 years. She enjoys cooking, gardening, and traveling–and enjoys “almost any” foods!
Her favorite times of the year are spring and summer, but her favorite holiday is Christmas!
Jeff Waters:
Jeff’s favorite holiday is his birthday–November 15, the opening day of deer season (although that particular holiday isn’t on the calendar yet, he says he’s working on it!) Born and raised here in Manchester, he went to school here and after graduating from Manchester High School, he joined the Army, where he was an Airborne Ranger and has logged 157 jumps from various planes and helicopters. He retired after 24 years and came back to his hometown. He is married with five children, and lovingly refers to his wife as “Puddin’.”
He has been working for Manchester Community Schools for six years, becoming a bus driver because he wanted to get to know his kids’ friends better. He enjoys driving for the kids, especially between Halloween and Christmas. He especially likes taking the kids to sporting events so he can watch them compete.
Jeff’s hobbies include hiking and hunting. His favorite season is fall–cooler weather and campfires, chili and football. Some of his favorite foods are chili, his sister’s spaghetti salad, and Puddin’s meatloaf.
Next up: You?
Would you like to be a part of this great group of people? Have you ever thought about watching the sun rise on the country roads around Manchester, while driving a bus load of excited kids to school? Are you looking for a job that would keep you on a similar schedule to your kids’ during the school year?
If you’re looking for a great part-time job, close to home, with many rewards in addition to a paycheck, the MCS Transportation Department is now hiring bus drivers for regular routes and substitutes! Training is provided for acquisition of an appropriate CDL license. If you are 21 years of age with an excellent driving record, you can start out at $15 per hour. Effective communication skills and physical abilities are also essential to do the job.
Step up and be part of the solution. Keep our transportation department running safe and strong. Apply for a job as a school bus driver and become part of the family. Call Deborah Heskett at 734-428-9901, xt. 1142 for more information.
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