Dear CSD17 Families,
There is no disputing the fact that this has been a cold and wet winter in Chicagoland. It has been challenging to wake up to dark, subzero mornings. Last week, as I looked at the 10-day forecast and considered the deep, persistent cold, I found myself thinking about how we would respond should the weather interfere with school operations.
As I went through that list, it occurred to me that there is one thing I never have to worry about: the readiness and willingness of our exceptional transportation team. In that moment, I felt a deep appreciation for these individuals and their servants’ hearts. These wonderful CSD17 employees - including our transportation manager, mechanic, and bus drivers - arrive well in advance of morning routes to ensure buses are not only operational, but clean, safe, and warm. What’s more, they choose joy even in what can be very challenging circumstances.
For many of our students, every school day begins and ends with the familiar and reassuring sight of our yellow buses arriving and departing, guided by people who truly care about them. When speaking about the school day, I often refer to our drivers as the “bookends” of our day. After all, they are the first warm “hello” our children receive in the morning and the last smile they see in the afternoon.
We hire our transportation team directly here in Channahon 17, and they live and serve in our local community. They know our roads, our families, and, most importantly, our kids. They are invested not just in doing a job, but in improving the lives of those who call Channahon home. We are deeply grateful for the calm, steady presence our transportation team provides, the relationships they build, and the sense of safety they create every single day.
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to our transportation team for their care and dependability, especially during these long winter days!
Warmly,
Dr. Nicholas Henkle