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More than 200 volunteers participate in 2023 Bus Buddies program

Kara Kovalsky with Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital assists McGown Elementary School students.
Kara Kovalsky with Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital assists McGown Elementary School students Ai-Nhien Truong and Jade Allicock as a Bus Buddy on the first day of school, Aug. 28.

Sept. 5, 2023—A total of 205 community volunteers assisted CFISD bus riders in safely reaching their drop-off points as part of the CFISD Bus Buddies program, Aug. 28-29.

Bus Buddies rode CFISD school buses after school on the first two days of school, assisting bus drivers as they transported students home. Volunteers helped students at 48 different CFISD elementary schools.

Representatives from the Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce join other volunteers as Bus Buddies at Lamkin Elementary School.
Representatives from the Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce join other volunteers as Bus Buddies at Lamkin Elementary School. A total of 205 community volunteers assisted CFISD bus riders during the first two days of school, Aug. 28-29.

“Having recently participated in the Bus Buddies program, I was given a firsthand look into the extraordinary care, dedication and meticulous planning that goes into ensuring every child’s safety and well-being,” said Moufid Rabieh, a Bus Buddies volunteer with Elite Auto Experts. “Observing the staff in action, ensuring that each child safely made their way home, was both heartwarming and enlightening. As we at Elite Auto Experts continue our community engagements, we remain profoundly thankful for schools that go above and beyond for our children. The tireless efforts make a profound difference in the lives of many.”

In addition to community volunteers, 40 businesses, organizations and CFISD departments participated in the program. The following partners came together to establish another successful year:

ACU of Texas

AIG Partners Group

Alexia Thornton-Moore Realtors

Caldwell Companies

Calvary Community Church

CFISD Board of Trustees

CFISD Communication

CFISD Community Programs

CFISD Technology Services

CFISD Nutrition Services

CFISD School Leadership

Club Z! In-Home Tutoring of Spring & Cypress

Copperfield Church

Cornerstone United Methodist Church

Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce

Cy-Fair Fire Department

Cy-Fair Educational Foundation

Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union

Cy-FARE

Discover Orthodontics

Edward Jones Investments – Robb Brotemarkle

Elite Auto Experts

Energy Capital Credit Union

Equitable Advisors

H-E-B

Highland Homes

Houston Northwest Baptist Church

John Wesley Methodist Church

Langham Creek Family YMCA

JV Hair Salon

Mathnasium of Cy-Fair

Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital

Messiah Lutheran Church

Mosaic United Methodist Church

PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans

Pope Elementary School PTO

Regions Bank

Texas Civic Alliance

Toshiba International Corporations

Westway Baptist Church

 

Lauren Rud with H-E-B on Tuckerton welcomes students to their bus at Rennell Elementary School on Aug. 28.
Lauren Rud with H-E-B on Tuckerton welcomes students to their bus at Rennell Elementary School on Aug. 28.

“This unique program that supports our youngest learners is successful year after year because of the volunteers in our thriving community,” said Dawn Tryon, CFISD director of community engagement. “Relationships with our community members, business partners, local churches and neighbors are deeply appreciated and are a huge part of the success of our school district. Our dedicated bus drivers loved seeing the support and smiles from our Bus Buddies this year!”

Debra Groff, a CFISD Bus Buddies volunteer, helps Hairgrove Elementary School students onto their bus on Aug. 28.
Debra Groff, a CFISD Bus Buddies volunteer, helps Hairgrove Elementary School students onto their bus on Aug. 28.

The Bus Buddies program is an annual partnership between the CFISD transportation and community engagement departments. Learn more at www.cfisd.net/busbuddies.