AA Hudson Valley honored two East Greenbush Central School District bus drivers for their excellent service during the 2007-08 school year.
Morrison Brooks and James Kois met all the criteria for the recognition, including driver's safety record, no at-fault accidents, minimal absences, and interaction with students.
"I take pride in knowing the names of all my students as well as the names of the elementary student's siblings not yet attending school," said Mr. Brooks, a bus driver with the district since January 2002. "The elementary students are treated with the same care and understanding I would give my grandchildren. We play games while waiting for school to open to help further their education."
He practices multiplication tables with the students, gives them geography lessons, and teaches them how to say "Hello," in many different languages.
Mr. Kois says his job requires him to be a good listener, a confidant, a babysitter, a referee, a mediator and, at times, a First Aid provider. "We may help stop a bloody nose, bandage a cut or just console a student who is having a bad day," said the driver, who joined the district eight years ago. "We may have to quiet down a screamer, stop a bully, or kill a bee."
All candidates in order to drive a school bus must have a Commercial Driver License Class B with passenger and student endorsements. Drivers must pass a defensive driving course with a certified examiner every year, according to MaryAnn Belmont, school district transportation supervisor. "They must pass a medical examination, attend two mandated training refreshers, and are subject to random drug tests," she added.
Board of Education member Dr. Raymond H. Werking Jr. says that these men continue the school district's excellent transportation legacy. His father, Raymond H. Werking Sr. drove an East Greenbush school bus from 1947 to 1993. "My dad drove over one million miles and worked 46 consecutive years, receiving commendations from Governor {Mario} Cuomo and President George Bush Sr.," he said.
Mr. Werking Sr. considered his passengers "precious cargo," his son said. And Mr. Brooks says his first priority "is to safely transport students to and from school."
Mr. Kois said his strongest assets are dependability, understanding, strong work ethics and a set of old-fashioned values. "I believe these all have contributed to the criteria that were used in the selection process," he said.
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