Bus driver writes viral note to parents about their children’s behavior on her bus
A note that a Princeton, New Jersey bus driver sent home to the parents of two students went viral back in November of 2016.
On the Facebook page for Love What Matters, it garnered the following response from a commenter:
“Sometimes children and or adults bully for no reason, this too is so heartbreaking. I do not believe that we parents have to chalk it up to “well this kind of stuff comes with the territory of growing up.” I say bull. We must teach our children at very young ages that bullying is wrong under any circumstances. We as parents have to change our way of thinking in these times. It won’t make our kids stronger or more roughed skinned it just makes them feel they have no one to have their backs. Please, parents, teach your children to be kind to everyone.” (edited for clarity)
The letter was addressed to parents Jorge and Leonor regarding their son and daughter Jorge and Annaliese and sent by Cindy Clausen.
She’s the driver of Bus #50 of the Princeton Public School District and also happens to be a member of the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad’s Ladies Auxiliary which fundraises for equipment for rescuers.
She had been driving a school bus for over 23 years by that point.
We all know Clausen’s job isn’t easy, but most of us will never know precisely how hard it is.
After all, most of us remember our trips on the school bus and they were rarely peaceful. It’s where kids tend to ramp up their energy for the school day.
And to think, for the most part, it’s all monitored by someone simultaneously driving to drive them safely! (Clausen has a bus aide, Ms. Ana, but most districts don’t have the funds for bus monitors anymore.)
But it wasn’t bad behavior Clausen was writing home to the kids’ parents about.
It was to tell them how wonderful their kids had behaved and how they’re a credit to the example their parents no doubt set.
What a letter to receive!
Clausen began:
“I am compelled to write to tell you how beautiful your children are, inside and out! This can only come from the home, your patience and guidance, the examples that you set and teach.”
She goes on to describe the compassion and support both Jorge and Annaliese have shown to a fellow student named Jackson, who has mobility issues.
“Some days Jackson is a little sad getting on the bus but as soon as he sees Jorge and Annaliese he smiles. Jackson has difficulties walking and it takes a bit for him to get to his seat,” Clausen explained.
And one action, in particular, that day, had warmed her heart.
“Today Annaliese looked out from her seat and said ‘come on Jackson, you can do it’ and when we arrived at school Jorge took it upon himself to carry out his backpack.”
What great kiddos!
She signed off:
“I know you know how wonderful your children are, but I wanted you to know that it shows.”
The letter has been shared thousands of times and “liked” or “loved” by over 46,000 Facebook users!
And while Clausen has written a few such letters over the years, she said this was the greatest act of kindness she had witnessed.
“I see the moms and dads so concerned when they put their kids on the bus, probably wondering, ‘Are they OK? Is it going to be a good day? “I try to support them and let them know that we all care and their child is in good hands. Life is a handful at times,” she told TODAY Parents.
And she’s seen her fair share of kindness from the kids she’s grown to care about so much:
“I do see and experience many acts of kindness with ‘my kids’ on the bus,” she said. “I love listening to their conversations, I love all their questions and I love the fact they love showing me and my aide, Miss Ana, their artwork and school projects. We just want the kids to know we care about them.”
Belmax De Jesus is the mother of the mobility-impaired student that Jorge and Annaliese are friends with.
She also shared her thoughts about the incident with TODAY.
“The children’s behavior toward Jaxson is exemplary, and I’m sure it stems from the home. The parents are raising amazing children, and we need more news like this spread around the world,” she said.
Be sure to scroll down below to see an interview with Clausen and De Jesus on the local news!
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Source: Lovethispic.com, Facebook – Love What Matters, Planet Princeton, TODAY