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Gallery: Student Transporters Share Holiday Festivities

By: Ruth Ashmore

24 December 2025 at 16:56

The holiday season means plenty of celebrations, including staff parties, decorated school buses, community events and more! View the gallery of photos shared by school districts and transportation companies below.

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A.B. Chandler Elementary School in Kentucky shared photos of a special visit from the “Christmas Bus” to kindergarten students, courtesy of the transportation department!

American Student Transportation shared this photo of their annual ginger bread house contest winter, Rhonda Bitzer who created this school bus design.

The Indiana State School Bus Drivers Association shared photos from New Palestine Community Schools, crediting transportation department garage supervisor Mike Real for the pictures of a decorated school bus.

Metcalfe County Elementary School in Kentucky shared that “the winners of their World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraiser were treated to a magical Christmas school bus ride they won’t soon forget!”

Pine Tree Bird Elementary School in Texas shared photos from a visit from the transportation’s department decorated school bus.

A familiar holiday figure appeared on a school bus route at Spartanburg School District One in South Carolina.

Seven Rivers Christian Schools in Florida said that “In the spirit of the season, SRCS bus drivers have decked their buses with lights, tinsel, ornaments, and art to add some jolly to the bus ride!”

Sharp Bus Lines Limited, based in Ontario, shared some of their favorite moments from the holiday season at their office.

Spartanburg County School District Six in South Carolina highlighted their transportation staff saying that they are “making school bus rides extra special for students!”

Student Transportation of America shared photos of a “Stuff the Bus” event saying that their team has been participating to create a positive impact in their communities.

Swain County Schools in North Carolina congratulated Paula Brady who works at the district’s Bus Garage as a winner of their “Twelve Days of Christmas” giveaway.

Humphreys County Schools in Tennessee shared these photos of a decked out bus saying “Our transportation team went above and beyond decking out the bus for Christmas parades across the county, complete with lights dancing in perfect harmony to your favorite holiday tunes… Thank you to our incredibly hardworking transportation staff for sprinkling joy, creativity, and a whole lot of Christmas cheer throughout our community.”

Humphreys County Schools in Tennessee thanked their transportation department for this festive school bus (Photo courtesy of Humphreys County Schools Facebook Page)

The post Gallery: Student Transporters Share Holiday Festivities appeared first on School Transportation News.

School Bus Driver Knits Beanies to Spread Warmth, Love in Oklahoma City

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

23 December 2025 at 17:00

As winter settles over Oklahoma City, one school bus driver warms students one hand-knitted beanie at a time.

Tina Hutcherson, 63, drives for the Putnam City School District and has become a beloved figure among her students for a simple but heartfelt mission: Ensuring no child goes without a warm hat during the cold months. Her journey in student transportation began long before she ever picked up knitting needles.

She told School Transportation News that she started as a school bus driver in 2004. She had to take a small break in 2009 to care for her son but returned as a driver in 2013.

The idea of making hats came from what she witnessed each winter on her route.

“I know how cold it gets in Oklahoma, and I see some children who may not have coats, hats, etc., to keep them warm,” Hutcherson said, adding that a recent blanket giveaway inspired her to expand her efforts. “I didn’t want anyone to feel left out, so I decided to make all the students a stocking cap as well.”

Her process quickly became a collaboration with the very kids she serves. Instead of choosing colors herself, Hutcherson invites her students to design their own.

“I draw a picture of a hat and give it to the students to color over the weekend,” she said. “They bring it back to me, and I use their drawings as the design and color guide. Many of the students know exactly what colors they want.”

The project has grown far beyond her original plan.

“I’ve made about 50 or more hats so far,” she told STN. “When my middle schoolers heard about the elementary students getting hats, they asked for some too. So, I gave them hats right before Thanksgiving break.”

In addition to beanies for both elementary and middle schoolers, Hutcherson has also crocheted backpacks for students and hats for local military veterans.

The joy her students express makes every hour of work worth it.

“The kids get excited knowing they’re getting hats that morning,” she said. One student proudly wears his hat every day and makes sure Hutcherson sees it when he steps on the bus. She also received a stack of handmade thank-you cards from her elementary riders; gestures she treasures deeply.

More than warmth, Hutcherson said she hopes the children feel the intention behind each stitch.

“I hope they know I made it with love,” she said. That love, she believes, is what keeps her going. “I just love giving crochet and knitted projects to people who I feel need a little extra love. It’s my favorite hobby, and I love to put a smile on their faces!”.

The post School Bus Driver Knits Beanies to Spread Warmth, Love in Oklahoma City appeared first on School Transportation News.

Durham School Services and Sister Brands Spread Holiday Cheer by Giving Back to Communities

School Transportation News

By: STN

22 December 2025 at 21:38

WARRENVILLE, Ill. – As Partners Beyond the Bus dedicated to supporting the communities we serve, our teams from Durham School Services, along with its sister brands such as Petermann Bus and Stock Transportation, have proudly given back to their communities for the holiday season.

Throughout the year, our teams across North America actively participate in community outreach activities and events to support its students and community members as part of the Company’s Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program. From Touch-a-Truck events to clothing and toy drives and fundraisers, our teams have demonstrated their dedicated commitment to their communities as Partners Beyond the Bus and continue to do so for the holiday season.

The holiday season is an especially important time to support our communities, and every year, our teams go above and beyond to give back. To highlight this, we’ve featured a few events below.

Durham School Services:
Coppell, TX – Decorated a Toy Story themed “float” that won first place at the Coppell Annual Christmas Parade. Hutchinson, KS – Hosted a Stuff the Bus event in support of their community’s Reno County Toy Run.

Petermann Bus:
Oxford, OH – Together, as a project with a student, created Thanksgiving food baskets for 14 families from $900 raised in donations. West Clermont, OH – Provided transportation for local children to participate in the community’s annual Shop with a Cop event

Stock Transportation:
Calgary, AB, Canada – Hosted a toy drive for the Calgary Children’s Hospital.
Sunderland, ON, Canada – Decorated a bus to participate in their community’s Christmas Parade.

Corporate:
Rochester, NY – Together, with our sister brand, Monroe Transportation, donated over 800 warm, winter coats to Rochester City School District students as part of the Company’s first Operation Warm event. Warrenville, IL – For the fourth consecutive year, partnered with Alliance for the Children to host a holiday wish-list fulfillment initiative, the Giving Tree, for local children in need.

“Giving back is second nature to our team and Company, and I say this all the time, but I truly believe we have the best, most kindhearted team members who never hesitate to go above and beyond to support their students and community,” said Tim Wertner, CEO, Durham School Services. “During the holiday season when extra support and kindness is often needed, our teams have very generously extended a helping hand to families around them in hopes of making their holidays brighter and more cheerful. Thank you to our team members for everything that they do for their students and community. I hope everyone has a happy holiday and stays safe and warm.”

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services and its sister brands, such as Stock Transportation and Petermann Bus, are dedicated to the safety of our students and People. Collectively, for more than 100 years, we have been committed to Excellence and upholding our mission of getting students to school safely, on time, and ready to learn. Through this mission and a grassroots approach to our operations, Durham School Services and its sister brands have earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our Customers and the Communities they serve.

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