If your child's school is just someplace at the end of a bus route, and the personnel there [are] just voices on the phone when there's trouble, consider the advantages of upping your school IQ.

Many school districts across the nation train their bus drivers to be proactive in introducing themselves to parents before classes even resume so as to familiarize themselves with their routes and the "customers" they'll be serving the rest of the school year. Such meetings can also be beneficial in learning about individual students, especially the youngest, newest riders, to ensure the transition from home to the bus to class goes as smoothly as possible.

Of course, with regard to students with disabilities, introductions to parents can also go a long way in helping drivers understand the special physical or emotional needs of their students. Transportation staff should definitely already be a part of the IEP meeting, but drivers taking this extra step can fortify the lessons learned.

How does your school district and drivers prepare for the school year and meeting student riders and their parents?