NEW BUSSES ARE THE DRIVING FORCE AT NAY AH SHING SCHOOLS - March 2025

By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor

When it comes to transporting our most precious cargo, safety is a top priority. When families send their kiddos off to Nay Ah Shing Schools on a bus, they can trust every precaution is taking place to keep them safe starting with the very buses that carry them. In January, NASS integrated two brand new 2025 IC school buses built with high-quality materials and some of the latest safety technology to provide drivers with everything they need to be successful.

It was a long road from ordering to arrival, said Stacy Boyd, Operations and Maintenance Director for Nay Ah Shing Schools. The buses were ordered at the end of September 2024 and delivered in January 2025. It was worth the wait. The new busses are equipped with 6.7 diesel engines, said Brian Berg, NASS bus driver and the bus mechanic. Along with the upgraded mechanical features, the new buses also have upgraded heating and air conditioning, Berg said. "Karen and I both love the new heating systems," he added. "And the dash has been totally redone, too."

Climbing into the school bus every morning is the first step to officially starting the school day for the kiddos and the first official smile from school staff comes from the bus drivers. Making sure the drivers have the technology to be dependable and most of all, safety is a priority.

The current NASS bus drivers are Karen Boyd and Brian Berg. Stacy said the two of them have been watching the kids grow up for at least 7-plus years. The drivers have deep connections in the community and take the time to really get to know the kids. On a cold February afternoon, students were boarding Karen’s bus. The students were grateful for the up dated heating system, too. One by one, the students walked up and gave Karen a special treat of what appeared to be a pack age of fruit snacks, some kids added hugs. Karen said those students often share their snacks with her. When asked if the kids liked their new school bus, they all cheered and gave the thumbs up.

The schools currently operate the transportation routes with two full-size buses and two transit vans. The vans trans port kids who are further from the school, Stacy said. Ideally, they would like to have three full-size buses operating for three routes. The caveat is they are short a driver. “The job is posted so if you know anyone looking for a great job, send them this way!” she added. “We make do with the two bus drivers that we have. They have both been drivers for a long time.”

Stacy said she always emphasizes to the students is that safety is important. The number one thing is to not be a dis traction for the driver. “We want the students to stay seated and not change seats once the bus is moving. We also want them to keep their voices down and not yell. We ask the older kids to step up and help the younger kiddos, and remind them sometimes not to yell, and to sit down. That helps a lot.”

There are times when monitors would be nice to have. “Having an extra adult on the bus to help remind the kiddos to behave is sometimes necessary,” Stacy said. That way, the monitor can take care of any issues without being a distraction to the driver. Stacy said she has been a monitor when needed but having community members just ride along “would be kind of cool.” She will look into that idea, she said.

The students who ride the buses are generally well-behaved, she said. Especially in the mornings when they are still a little sleepy, she said with a smile. The afternoon ride home can get a “bit rambunctious” — especially at the end of the school year, which is very normal Stacy added.

Kudos to the bus drivers who are out there every day making sure our kiddos travel to and from school safely.