School bus memorabilia: What’s in your collection?
An aspect of our readers’ enthusiasm for school buses that I find interesting is that many have extensive collections of school bus-related memorabilia. A particularly impressive collection belongs to ...

One of the items in my school bus collection is this Christmas tree ornament that my aunt bought for me shortly after I joined the magazine.
In my last blog post, I discussed learning about the passion our readers have not just for safely transporting students, but for school buses in general.
In response to my post, many of you shared what your favorite school bus is, and I enjoyed reviewing the photos that some of you sent to us.
Another aspect of our readers’ enthusiasm for school buses that I find interesting is that many have extensive collections of school bus-related memorabilia.
A particularly impressive collection belongs to Jason Leeth, whom I interviewed in 2008. He shed light on how he came to start collecting school bus swag, and how he maintains his collection.
This photo gallery from 2012 includes other individuals’ collections, along with a festive Christmas tree decorated with school bus ornaments. (I didn’t know such ornaments existed until my aunt bought one for me shortly after I joined the magazine. It’s pictured above. I also have a few model school buses that I’ve picked up at trade shows.)
And Tim Bentz, a transportation director in Washington state, has a collection that includes more than 150 pieces, as SBF reported several years ago. Many of the items in his collection are school bus emblems.
If you have a collection of school bus memorabilia and photos of it that you’d like to share, please send the photos to info@schoolbusfleet.com. Include your name in the e-mail and some information about your collection.
Until next time,
Kelly Aguinaldo
Managing Editor
More Blog Posts
The Sound of Summer Starting [Guest Editorial]
That unmistakable school bus rumble? It carries childhood memories, community routines, and a whole lot of unseen work behind the scenes.
Read More →The Technology Power Combo That Enables EV Charging on Difficult Sites
As the pace of fleet electrification increases and charging infrastructure continues to pose challenges, many fleets find themselves puzzling over the question: how do I install charging infrastructure faster and more cost-efficiently?
Read More →Trip Sheet: Farewell, Faithful Readers – Keep on Rolling
Executive Editor Wes Platt offers parting thoughts as he parks the School Bus Fleet bus to focus on ultra-local community journalism, making way for someone else to take the wheel as the pupil transportation industry continues to evolve.
Read More →Trip Sheet: School Transportation Pros Can Champion Children's Mental Health
Children's Mental Health Awareness Day underscores the significance of school bus drivers in fostering supportive environments during students' journeys. SAMHSA's initiatives, including stigma reduction and access to resources, complement the Biden-Harris administration's funding efforts to enhance youth mental health services and workforce development.
Read More →Trip Sheet: Is It Time for Daylight Saving Time to Clock Out?
How do you think the potential shift to permanent Daylight Saving Time or standard time would impact our daily lives and routines, especially considering the divided approach across various states?
Read More →Trip Sheet: Meeting a Hero in My Own Back Yard
I remain impressed by the matter-of-fact heroism that’s often demonstrated by school bus drivers like Deona Washington who are caught in these situations where the best of us might lose our cool and panic. But, then again, bus drivers are a unique breed.
Read More →Trip Sheet: 3 Takeaways from the EPA Clean School Bus Grant Program
Most applicants sought grant funding to acquire electric school buses, with propane coming in a distant second. No one indicated plans to purchase compressed natural gas (CNG) buses in this round. That’s not terribly surprising, I suppose, given how few school districts listed the inclusion of CNG buses in their fleets for our 2023 top district fleets survey.
Read More →Trip Sheet: Let's Get Rolling: What's Coming in 2024?
Calendar pages keep flipping toward the mandates set in states like New York and California to transition their school bus fleets from diesel to zero-emission, but there’s plenty of reluctance and pushback.
Read More →California School Children Ride in Green School Buses
Today, California prides itself on utilizing the most zero-emission (ZE) school buses in the country with over 1,689 being used by California school districts; and while the state is on a positive health trajectory thanks to a decree to eliminate gas and diesel vehicles, more work needs to be done to improve children’s well-being.
Read More →Behind The Wheel of Childrens’ Safety Aboard the School Bus
Bus drivers are the primary caretakers of children during their commute and thus bear responsibility for their safety. By prioritizing proper operating procedures, maintenance checks, and additional precautions, drivers can help avoid the loss of precious young lives under their care.
Read More →










