Newspaper Page Text
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023
BANKS COUNTY NEWS
PAGE 3A
Bus driver Walter Wade is shown.
Schools celebrate
School Bus Driver
Appreciation Week
From the break of dawn in August until the final school
days in June, the bus drivers of Banks County are out on
the roads, gathering students to take to Banks County
Schools. These drivers are indeed the unsung heroes of our
education system,
Drivers manage 45 daily routes, ensuring that approxi
mately 1,800 students safely reach their schools each morn
ing and return home every afternoon. The commitment of
these drivers extends beyond regular school hours; they
also support after-school activities, events, and field trips,
adding about 60 extra trips to their schedule per month.
Safety is the cornerstone of the Banks County Transpor
tation Department. Buses boast several advanced safety
features like elevated seats so that most vehicles on the
road are beneath the children’s feet. Additionally, the de
sign and placement of the windows on our newer model
buses enhance privacy and security, often giving the ap
pearance of an empty bus and concealing the students
within, adding an extra layer of safety and discretion. The
cushioned seats with high backs act as a protective com
partment, and their close arrangement further enhances
safety in case of an accident. Some of the drivers’ routes
span an average of 50 miles, emphasizing the importance
of these safety measures.
Banks County Schools collaborate daily with the Banks
County Sheriff’s Office, which plays a vital role in main
taining the safety and efficiency of the bus routes by man
aging traffic dining the morning and afternoon dismiss
al. This collaboration extends to coordinating responses
during emergencies and addressing issues as they arise,
ensuring the well-being of the students and the smooth
operation of transportation services. Additionally, the sys
tem partners with 911 services to ensure they are promptly
informed about any obstacles, such as fallen trees or acci
dents, allowing the school to adjust routes swiftly to avoid
delays.
Under the leadership of Transportation Director Ricky
Carroll, Banks County boasts one of the top transporta
tion departments, school leaders state. Every bus receives
monthly maintenance/service and inspections by internal
mechanics. Each school year, the buses undergo rigorous
inspections by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
“Our bus drivers work tirelessly to make this complex
system function seamlessly,” states Director of Operations
Mike Cleveland.
In Banks County, it is common to see students boarding
a Banks County school bus with smiles, a testament to the
drivers’ positive relationships with the students.
“Our drivers and monitors are the heartbeat of this intri
cate system,” Cleveland added. “Their punctuality, friend
ly greetings, and the positive environment they create are
fundamental to setting the tone for our students’ day.”
Carroll, who has been with the system for 26 years,
said that the “unwavering commitment to the safety and
well-being of our students is apparent in each bus route we
operate.”
Across the state, many schools have the challenge of
finding bus drivers. However, in Banks County, Carroll
states the system has many quality and dedicated drivers,
many of whom have been with the system for as long as
he has been.
“While recruiting bus drivers can be challenging, we are
privileged to have a team of quality, dedicated individu
als,” Carroll added. “Our bus drivers play multiple roles:
they lead, make key decisions, ensure safety, and keep
their buses clean. Some buses even have their nicknames
to make things easier for students during the bustling af
ternoons.”
Superintendent Dr. Ann Hopkins said of the department,
“We recognize that our drivers play so many roles in the
lives of our students. They are the first and last stop in our
students’ school day. We greatly appreciate them and know
we could not run our system without their dedication and
support.”
During the appreciation week, each Banks County
School System school organized a special day of treats to
recognize their service.
Anyone interested in applying for a bus driver position
at Banks County Schools or for more information about
the department, contact Ricky Carroll at rcarroll@banks.
kl2.ga.us.
Rotary Club sponsors Food 2
Kids Program for schools
The Banks County Rotary Club is sponsoring the Food
2 Kids Program in the county school system. Food 2 Kids
is a program that helps bridge that gap for some of the
community’s neediest kids. Sacks of kid-friendly food—
enough for at least six meals—are handed out every week
to childrent. The disposable sacks will have approximate
ly seven to 10 pounds of food—enough for two days of
meals. To donate or for more information, contact Becky
Carlan at 706-540-3828. Mail in contributions for the pro
gram to: Banks County Rotary Club Food 2 Kids, P.O. Box
54, Homer, Ga„ 30547.
Banks senior citizens visit safari park
A group from the Banks County Senior Citizens Center visited an area safari park on a recent outing.
Kimberly Adams is shown having a close encounter at an area
safari park. A group from the Banks County Senior Citizens
Center made a stop at the park as part of a recent outing.
Tracie Hammond is shown feeding zebra on the visit to a sa
fari park.
Angela Brown is shown feeding animals on the safari park visit.
DAY, DECEMBER 1, 5PM - 9PM
_ /? /yj a ,7 ,
Shop wtth downtown merchants
& POP-UP VENDORS.
Enjoy music, horse drawn carriage rides,
FIND THE PERFECT PHOTO OP & MORE.
rs
STMAS PAR
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2
ACTIVITIES START AT 10AM
PARADE STARTS AT 11AM
Enjoy stories and live music on the square,
& TRAIN TIDES FOR KIDS
Photos with Santa at CWL Museum 1p-3p
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