Jennifer Stratton with Transportation

YAY JENNIFER STRATTON! Jennifer Stratton, an HCPS bus driver, is today's Yay of the Day honoree! Superintendent Amy Cashwell honored her recently!

YAYWORTHY:

Nominator Jenny Haar said,

"It is a true honor to nominate Mrs. Jennifer for her incredible dedication, warmth and service as a school bus driver. Mrs. Jennifer has lived a rich life full of diverse experiences, but as she will be the very first to tell you, her absolute favorite place to be is right behind the wheel of our 'silver' bus.

"Every single afternoon, Mrs. Jennifer transforms the ride home into the best part of the school day. As the children step onto the bus, she doesn't just watch the door — she physically turns her entire body toward them, greeting every child with a bright, genuine smile. Her care for her passengers goes far beyond safe transit. She takes the time to ask about their day, checks in on a sibling, or enthusiastically admires whatever cute classwork or artwork they are proudly clutching in their hands. Her warmth extends to the school staff as well. Mrs. Jennifer regularly takes time out of her busy schedule to check in with me, whether to share a thought about a student or simply to ask how my day is going. That extra layer of kindness makes a world of difference. My kindergarteners look forward to seeing her friendly face every afternoon, and truth be told, I do, too! Mrs. Jennifer is so much more than a driver; she is a cherished mentor, a daily joy, and a vital heart of our school community."

Thank you for all you do, Jennifer, to make a positive difference and move HCPS forward!

• No. 15 in a series. Nominate a staff member for a "Yay of the Day" at https://www.henricoschools.us/yay-of-the-day.