Mauldin Schools Celebrate Annual “Love the Bus” Week

Schools across the Mauldin area spent the week of February 9 through February 13, 2026, honoring the essential workers of the student transportation system. Known nationally as “Love the Bus” week, the event serves as a dedicated time for students, parents, and faculty to recognize the contributions of school bus drivers and monitors.

Recognizing the Backbone of Student Safety
Throughout the week, local campuses have organized various activities to show appreciation for the personnel who manage the daily transport of thousands of area students. Many classrooms spent the early part of the week, specifically February 9 and 10, creating handmade thank-you cards and posters that were displayed at bus loading zones.
The initiative highlights the critical role these drivers play in the education system, often serving as the first and last school-affiliated individuals students see each day. Beyond transportation, the week emphasizes the rigorous safety standards and training these professionals maintain to ensure the well-being of the community’s youth.

Community Participation and Outreach
The celebration has extended beyond the school walls, with local Mauldin businesses and parent-teacher organizations providing small tokens of appreciation, such as gift cards and catered breakfasts, throughout the week. On Wednesday, February 11, several schools held “meet and greet” sessions at the bus ramps to allow families to personally thank their specific drivers.

Looking Ahead
The “Love the Bus” festivities concluded on Friday, February 13, just ahead of the President’s Day holiday on Monday, February 16, 2026. While the formal week of recognition ends Friday, school officials noted that the goal of the program is to foster a year-round culture of respect and gratitude for the transportation department.