Lake County Gazette

Lincolnshire Prairie View School District 103 recognized Bus Driver Appreciation Day on October 23, thanking its transportation staff for their work in getting students to and from school safely. The district operates a fleet of 31 buses and two vans that cover nearly a 12-mile radius.

“Thank you to our extraordinary bus drivers and the rest of our transportation team, who ensure our D103 students make it to school and home safely! We extend our heartfelt appreciation on Bus Driver Appreciation Day, which District 103 recognizes today, Oct. 23. Thank you to our drivers; you are appreciated for your dedication and for always going the extra mile for our students!” the district stated.

The appreciation day coincides with National School Bus Safety Week, held from October 20 to 24. This national observance aims to raise awareness about school bus safety.

The district also shared several safety guidelines for parents to review with their children. Students are expected to remain seated at all times while on the bus, refrain from eating or drinking, treat others kindly, and prioritize safety. While waiting for the bus, children should stay away from the street and be alert to traffic. They are encouraged to watch for flashing bus lights when boarding or leaving and only cross in front of the bus after receiving a signal from the driver. If an item is dropped near or under the bus, students are instructed to inform the driver rather than retrieve it themselves. Additionally, disruptive behaviors such as jumping, fighting, bullying, teasing other passengers, or making excessive noise can distract drivers.

Lincolnshire-Prairieview School District 103 serves Lake County and includes Daniel Wright Junior High School, Half Day School, and Laura B. Sprague School (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to data from the Illinois State Board of Education, there are 151 teachers in the district earning an average salary of $76,028; most are women (85.1 percent), with men making up 14.9 percent. No teachers have more than ten absences in a school year (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The student body is composed of approximately 45.6 percent White students, 0.5 percent Black students, 3.6 percent Hispanic students, and 48.4 percent Asian students (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020, per-student spending was $26,851 with total expenditures reaching $50 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).