Observant members of the Quiet Corner population have already begun to comment on the slowly changing leaves along the roadside , a sure sign that fall is coming and a hopeful indication that drivers will be just as attentive when driving to work next week .

The 30 , 000-lb , 40-foot-long vehicles , infamously painted National School Bus Glossy Yellow , are about to join commuters on the road next week , and long-time Woodstock resident and bus driver Becki Leavitt is prepared , once again , to meet the challenge – in fact , she’s looking forward to the end of summer vacation and can’t wait to get back into the driver’s seat of bus 25 .

Leavitt , who started driving a bus when her daughter was in school “ because they needed drivers , ” continues now that her daughter Mariah is almost 22 “ because they still need drivers” and because she truly enjoys her work .

“ I’m pro-school anyway , ” she said , “ and I enjoy it . I enjoy the kids . I enjoy having conversations with them and watching them deal with life … throwing ‘ em reality bombs every once in a while when they have problems . I just try and give them a different way of looking at stuff . ”

The alarm goes off at 4 : 30 a . m . for Leavitt – the first student steps on the bus at around 6 : 40 a . m . and the 12-hour day kicks into gear . There is some down time , of course , and Leavitt uses that time wisely . Transporting elementary , middle school and high school students , approximately 35-40 students at a time , with multiple runs each day , is like having two jobs – and a little quiet time is necessary .

While mechanics keep the buses road-ready , bus drivers in Woodstock are required to attend orientation each yearthat keeps them up-to-date on DMV , OSHA and other requirements and also receive blood born pathogen training , health updates , route sheets and other information . Leavitt said that route assignments tend to stay the same , when possible . “ As a driver , yourroute is an investment … youhave yearsof experience with these kids . If I have a problem , I can talk to their parents . ”

Having a relationship with students is helpful , as it allows the driver to maintain a “ feel” for the bus and the mood of the students . “ I can tell by the pitch what’s going on , ” said Leavitt . “ But I get paid to drive … my number one rule is ‘ Don’t make me take my eyes off the road . ’ They know who I am and how far I’ll let them go … I will pull over and turn the bus off . ”

Classroom behavior is expected from students riding the bus , but Leavitt knows that with a combination of age groups – middle school kids and high school students ride the bus together – that there can be bad days . Still , bus safety is the name of the game . “ Kids should be alert … get in , get in yourseat , ” Leavitt said .

Drivers need to be aware that Leavitt , like other bus drivers , knows she is stopping traffic . She is aware of yourbusy schedule and , as school starts , that you’renot used to waiting for her as students get in and out of buses . As drivers learn the route , Leavitt occasionally pulls over to let them pass , but drivers need to be aware that passing a stopped bus that is loading or unloading students is against the law . In fact , bus drivers , time allowing , have a form in their vehicle to report such drivers to the DMV .

In 2008 , the Connecticut DOT said that “ more than 330 , 000 Connecticut children are transported to and from school in a school bus every day . ” The DOT reminds drivers to slow down , be alert and “ Stop yourcar when yousee lights flashing on a school bus . Red flashing lights indicate that the bus is stopped and students are getting on or off . Don’t start driving until the red lights stop flashing . Be aware that a child may dash across the street . ”

Leavitt also asks that parents talk to their children about bus safety . Although it seems like a good idea to drive little ones to school , especially on the first day , let them take the bus , so that their bus driver can get to know them right away , she suggested .

In addition , make sure youryoungstersknow their full name and address so that , should a problem arise on the way home , a driver can get them home – to the right home – safely . If the driver has not yetmade friends with yourprecious cargo , this knowledge is paramount . Some drivers , including Leavitt , also take strict attendance to ensure yourchild’s safety .

Every school district has safety regulations in place , in order to protect students , bus drivers and car drivers when buses are on the road . Woodstock’s are similar to those of nearly every other school in the area and can be found on their website .

Check with yourschool to clear up any questions youmight have about bus behavior or safety . Some general rules for student conduct : remind students to be on time at the bus stop , to stay a safe distance from the road when waiting for the bus , to wear light / reflective clothing when necessary and to wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before entering / exiting a bus .