The Paw Paw Public Schools Transportation Department is proud to share the success of its recent “Stuff the Bus” event, held in honor of March is Reading Month.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of students, families, staff, and community members, the event collected brand-new books for elementary students across the district. The donations will help stock the elementary schools’ book vending machines—providing exciting new reading opportunities and rewarding students for their achievements.

🚍 A Bus Full of Books—and Community Spirit

The goal of the event was simple: fill a school bus with books and support young readers.

From popular titles to diverse and engaging stories, the variety of books collected ensures that students of all reading levels and interests will benefit.

📖 Supporting Reading Month and Beyond

March is Reading Month serves as a reminder of the importance of literacy and fostering a love of reading in students. Events like “Stuff the Bus” not only celebrate reading but also create lasting impacts by putting books directly into the hands of children.

In celebration of March is Reading Month, the Paw Paw Public Schools Transportation Department is taking an active role in supporting student learning—right from the bus seat.

This month, bus drivers across the district have been encouraging students to read while riding the bus, turning travel time into an opportunity for growth, imagination, and calm, focused behavior.

🚍 Turning Bus Time into Reading Time

Students who choose to read during their bus ride are being recognized and rewarded with PRIDE tickets—a positive behavior incentive used throughout the district. These tickets celebrate students who demonstrate responsibility, respect, and a commitment to learning.

By promoting reading on the bus, drivers are not only supporting literacy but also helping create a more positive and structured environment for all riders.

School spirit and the energy doesn't stop at the classroom doors—it started the moment students step onto the bus.

During this year's series of spirit dress-up days, bus drivers and transportation staff joined students in participating in a variety of themed days, helping create a fun, welcoming, and inclusive start to each school day. Themes included Twin Day, Pajama Day, Suicide Awareness Day, Jeans and Flannel Day, and many more, giving both students and staff the opportunity to show creativity and connection.

From matching outfits on Twin Day to cozy pajamas and flannel-filled mornings, drivers embraced each theme with enthusiasm. Their participation brought smiles to students’ faces and sparked conversations that carried into the school day.

More importantly, events like Suicide Awareness Day provided an opportunity to promote meaningful conversations and show support for student well-being. Transportation staff proudly participated, reinforcing that they are not only there to ensure safe travel, but also to support students emotionally and socially.

By joining in on spirit days, drivers helped strengthen relationships and build trust with students, creating a more positive and engaging bus environment.

Thanks to the transportation team, school spirit rides along every bus route—bringing connection, positivity, and a little extra fun to each day.

During National Love the Bus Month, the school bus drivers competed in a "Name Your Bus Contest." Thank you to all of our drivers and students who submitted such creative and fun names — narrowing it down was no easy task! And the winner is… Mr. Jesse for naming his bus “Opti-Bus Prime!” Inspired by Optimus Prime, the legendary leader of the Autobots in Transformers, Mr. Jesse went the extra mile and even created custom posters for his bus. Now that’s bus pride! Congratulations, Mr. Jesse!

The Paw Paw Public Schools Transportation Department remains committed to safety and excellence by providing meaningful professional development opportunities for its school bus drivers.

Drivers took part in a focused training session featuring special guest speaker Katrina Morris from the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation (MAPT), centered on an important topic: driver liability.

The session provided drivers with a deeper understanding of their responsibilities and the legal considerations that come with transporting students. Topics included:

• Driver accountability and decision-making

• Understanding liability in various transportation scenarios

• Proper documentation and reporting procedures

• Best practices to reduce risk and ensure student safety

Katrina Morris shared real-world examples and practical guidance, helping drivers better recognize how their actions and decisions can impact both student safety and their own professional responsibility.

By focusing on liability, the training reinforced the importance of:

• Staying alert and proactive on every route

• Following established safety procedures consistently

• Communicating clearly with students, staff, and families

• Taking appropriate action in unexpected situations

This knowledge empowers drivers to confidently navigate challenges while maintaining the highest standards of care.

The Paw Paw Public Schools Transportation Department is proud of its drivers for their engagement and dedication to ongoing learning.

Professional development sessions like this not only support drivers in their roles but also ensure that every student’s ride to and from school is handled with care, responsibility, and professionalism.

By investing in training focused on liability and safety, Paw Paw continues to put students—and those who transport them—first. 🚍