The new year is here, presenting a new opportunity to express appreciation to the thousands of men and women who transport America’s pupils.

The “Love the Bus” program kicks off again this year with suggestions for parents, children, educators and transportation folks to use the Website www.lovethebus.com for ideas to spread good cheer.

“Love The Bus” is a national education campaign generated by the American School Bus Council (ASBC) to raise awareness of the bus drivers across the country who transport more than 25 million schoolchildren each day.

The program lets children share heart-warming stories and create personal valentines, either online or in printed form. Educators can utilize toolkits via the Website for curriculum development. The toolkit features colorful templates for artwork to be added to T-shirts, cards, name tags and certificates.

Events were held across the nation last February to kick off the campaign to educate parents and their children about the enduring safety record of pupil transportation and about school bus safety in general.

Lending federal support, members of Congress participated in tours of a state-of-the-art bus, featuring safety and security enhancements and environmental equipment.

The ASBC represents key organizations in the nation’s pupil transportation industry. This includes public and private transportation providers, school bus manufacturers and state officials.

Council members include NAPT, the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, the National School Transportation Association, Blue Bird Corp., IC Corporation, and Thomas Built Buses.

For more information, visit www.americanschoolbuscouncil.org.