Celebrating School Bus Drivers' Appreciation Day

Sitting behind the wheel of a school bus isn't the easiest job, especially when you are shuttling around a group of amped up kids.

Today school bus drivers across the country - and throughout Newport Beach - are being honored in different ways so they know they are appreciated. Laura Boss, spokeswoman for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, says school bus drivers are an integral part of the district's operations.

"They are responsible for transporting precious cargo every day, safely to and from school. In many cases, they will be the first contact a student has in their day. They help set the tone for that students day," Boss said. "Have you been on a school bus lately? The level of concentration that is required is amazing.  To drive safely, with 50 to 75 chattering lively students on a bus and be responsible for them is a challenge. "

To honor the bus drivers, the N-MUSD hosted a luncheon and student musical entertainment today to celebrate the job the bus drivers do on a daily basis to ensure students get to and from school safely.   

Do you know an extrordinary school bus driver? Have an amazing memory from your days scrambling for the seat over the wheel? Tell us about it in the comments!