“The drivers are the first and last people our children see every school day.” That quote from Mr. LeRon Baptiste, Eddo Ride’s Terminal Manager for the Natchitoches Parish Schools, perfectly sums up the vital role school bus drivers play in our children’s education.

Tuesday, April 22 was National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. The day was celebrated in grand style at the parish’s bus terminal. The drivers, monitors and mechanics were treated to a delicious BBQ lunch with all the trimmings.

Every school day, over 80 drivers, bus monitors and aides drive to every corner of our parish to pick up children, bring them to school, and then home safely. A crew of 4 mechanics keep the fleet of buses in top condition. In addition to school transportation, school sports teams ride buses to away games. It is a massive logistical undertaking that takes place largely unnoticed day in and day out. National School Bus Drivers Day is a fitting way to say thanks to this hard working group of men and women who safely carry our children.