Transportation Scoop
December 2020
A Message From The Director
Transportation Team,
Happy Holidays!! As we approach the end of this challenging year, I hope all of you are able to take at least a few moments to safely be with family and friends, either virtually or in-person. As we approach the end of 2020, I think we can all look back and probably say this was one of the most challenging years of our lives. But as I have said before, I could not be prouder of how each and every one of you have met this challenging time by being resilient, flexible, and adaptable. Transportation staff has continued to serve our LCPS community by keeping everything rolling, delivering meals, books, transporting students, covering runs, training drivers and attendants, routing our students, paying the bills, and messaging the community.
As we approach the holidays, please keep an eye on your fellow coworkers and yourselves regarding stress. These challenging times are creating an enormous amount of stress that can wear on us all over time. Each of you are a valuable member of the team and your mental and physical health are important to our success. It’s important to find a few minutes each day to take a mental health break, whether that is going for a short walk, meditating, or just closing your eyes and breathing, those quiet moments can bring a brief moment of peace to an otherwise stressful day.
We just recently brought our 3rd through 5th graders back to hybrid in-person learning and we are rapidly preparing to bring our secondary students back in mid-January. We have continued to be successful in returning students to the classroom largely because our success with maintaining adherence to our health mitigation measures, including mask wearing and social distancing, and the work of our Health Mitigation Monitors who are helping to enforce compliance with these measures. The community and LCPS leadership continue to applaud the hard work and dedication of the entire Transportation Team.
Please keep healthy and safe and I look forward to seeing everyone in the new year.
Scott Davies
A Message From The Assistant Director
Transportation Team,
As we enter this holiday season, I wish for you a new year full of peace and joy. May your holiday be warm and cheerful. Enjoy this holiday season, you have earned a rest from all the hard work that I have witnessed since March. I greatly appreciate the dedication and loyalty displayed by each one of you.
Warmest Wishes,
Tisha
Check Your LCPS Email Regularly
Winter In-Service
Save the date! Our Winter In-Service meeting will be held Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from 8am-12pm. This will be a virtual meeting. The virtual meeting invite will be sent to your email as we get closer to the In-Service meeting date.
December Town Hall Meeting
Safe Schools Training Reminder
MANDATORY training to be taken by all Transportation Administrators, Transportation Supervisors, Area Supervisors, Lead Drivers, Bus Drivers, Bus Attendants and the Transportation Training department staff.
By now, you should have received your email prompting you to complete the Safe Schools Training for Restraint and Seclusion in Elementary and Secondary Schools in Virginia. If you did not receive the email, please go to:
- Safe Schools Training at https://lcps-va.safeschools.com
- Your user name will be your PID #
- Click Login
- Once your personal information shows, click Log Me In!
- Click on Regulations Governing the Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Elementary and Secondary Schools to begin your course.
You must complete each module in order to receive full credit for the course. If you are unable to complete the course, please call the Training Office at 571-252-1720 to schedule a date and time. This training MUST be completed no later December 18, 2020.
Staff working in the Garage, Time and Attendance, Accounting, Routing, and Outreach are not required to take this training.
Staff on continuous FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) or extended leave may not take this course until they have returned to work.
Before Starting Your Bus
Important Reminder: Seating On the Bus
SAFETY REMINDER: Garage Traffic Pattern and Parking
Drivers and Attendants should park in the car parking only and should not park in the bus parking space.
CDL Online Renewal Eligibility
Online Renewal Eligibility
Beginning November 19, 2020 you may be eligible to renew online. The following customers are not eligible to renew online:
- Limited Duration CDL Holders, customers temporarily authorized to be in the United States
- CDL holders with a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (X,H)
- CDL holders who have not provided acceptable proof of legal presence; more information can be found at our website (https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#cdl_docs.asp)
- Individuals required to register with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry
- CDL holders who are 75 or older
- Customers whose privilege to drive is suspended or revoked
- Customers whose credential has expired over a year
If you are required to visit a DMV customer service center and complete a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Application DL2P to renew your commercial driver's license. You will be required to pass the vision screening and a new photograph will be taken.
You may also renew your driver's license at any of DMV's mobile offices. Check the calendar for visits in your area.
Using the Tablet for Medicaid
In a recent communication to staff, on December 1, 2020, we began using the Synovia tablet for Medicaid Student Attendance.
The process is similar to how we captured meal delivery counts over the summer. Click here for an informative video outlining the process.
Information to understand:
- It is the driver's responsibility to enter the student information.
- The student information should be selected or entered by typing the student ID number under Visitor on the tablet when picking the student up at the stop. Once arriving at the school, the student should be removed from the tablet.
- Notification process for misinformation on the tablet. Driving Team should notify the Lead Driver who will contact Routing for corrections to the route/run.
- We are still in the testing stage so drivers will use the salmon sheets in tandem with the tablet. Once we are sure the process is working, the salmon sheets will only be used if there is an issue with the tablet. Blank salmon sheets have been provided to each bus. If more sheets are needed please contact your Lead Driver.
Information regarding using the tablet can be found on the LCPS Transportation website under the "Employee" section.
Reminder: Enhanced Security For the Synovia Portal
The Transportation Division is enhancing security for the Synovia Portal used by Drivers and Attendants when entering time other than on the tablet in the bus. The enhanced security began on December 2, 2020.
There are several options you can use to login
Phone:
- To use your phone to login, you must use LCPS WIFI.
- To update your phone to use Wi-Fi please follow these instructions, they should be the same for iPhone and Android phones.
Settings > Wi-Fi, and make sure Wi-Fi is turned on. Tap the name of the secure Wi-Fi network you want to join. LCPS-Open should be available and not require a password
Computer:
There are two options that can be used to access the synovia portal:
Web portal address: https://portal.synovia.com or by using LCPS Go.
Electronic Leave Forms
NOTE: It is extremely important to let Dispatch know if your job duty has changed since your leave was approved. Dispatch needs to know your current position to be able to provide proper coverage.
Symptom Tracker
https://loudouncountyps.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1MHOHgUPEBnHa7z
This information can also be found on the LCPS Transportation website under the "Employee" section.
PIO Announcement Regarding the Book Bus Service
BOOK BUS SERVICE ENDS NOV. 23
The Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Book Bus Service will roll for its final time on Monday, Nov. 23.
The service is ending as more students are returning to in-person instruction in the hybrid model on Dec. 1. Students participating in the hybrid model will begin using libraries in person. Students who are continuing to learn in the distance learning model may access media center materials through the curbside pickup program that was started at the same time as the Book Bus.
The Book Bus has been operating since Sept. 21 to provide high quality reading materials to students engaged in distance learning. The Book Bus delivered materials requested by students to the meal stops in neighborhoods across Loudoun County at the same time School Nutrition staff and Transportation staff delivered meals for families. Since the beginning of the school year, over 102,607 library materials have circulated to our students through the Book Bus and curbside library services offered at schools.
Drivers Wanted for Athletic Events!
Have you missed attending our LCPS Athletic events? Or are you a parent of a LCPS Athlete and would like to watch them compete in-person? Then we need YOU!
The Field Trip Office is looking for drivers that are willing to help transport our LCPS Teams beginning 12/21/20. These additional driving hours would be considered part of your contract hours first and any hours over your contract would be extra-pay. Please keep in mind you must fulfil your contracted hours first before extra pay goes into effect. Athletic events are normally scheduled in the evenings and on occasional Saturdays. At this time there is no overtime permitted.
Please give us a call in the Field Trip Office @ 571-252-1730
IN THE EVENT CHANGES OCCUR WITH ATHLETIC EVENTS, STAFF WILL BE NOTIFIED.
Way to Go Mike Jones-Kind Words From A Parent
Nice Job Sung Lee-You Impressed A Retired Police Officer!
I was on the Aldie ES book bus and wanted to give a shout out to our driver, Sung. He told us he's a sub. I am a retired police officer and I can absolutely say he's a great driver. But, more than that, he's a spectacular human being. He was great with the students, was super vigilant about student safety (roads in rural Loudoun can be dangerous), handled traffic control while the kids were checking out, and was a true pleasure to work with!
I know people love to complain, so I wanted to be sure to send a happy email about a coworker!
Sue Williams
Mercer Middle School
Library Assistant
Wow Dave Jenkins, You Made A BIG Impression
Dear Mr. Davies,
I had the privilege of riding the book bus for Countryside Elementary. It was a wonderful experience! Thank you for supporting this effort. It made a difference in the lives of the students. It was a remarkable sight when we would pull up and they would be jumping up and down with excitement.
Dave Jenkins was the bus driver for the route. He is awesome!
Here are some of the awesome things about him:
- He is professional:
- He takes great pride in the equipment
- He is extremely knowledgeable about the different buses and how to operate them safely. We had 2 busses during the time of the book bus program, and he was very competent in operating them both.
- He is conscientious:
- He made sure that the surfaces of the bus were cleaned between each student, and then cleaned again once our run was complete.
- He is ALWAYS on time!
- He is courteous - and proactive:
- He greets EVERYONE with a "hi, how are you?" and makes them feel welcome. He does this with students, parents waiting with students, and staff.
- When I would arrive at the school to start the run, he would have already carried the crates containing the returned books into the school and asked if there was anything else that he could do.
- He genuinely cares about the students:
- He was so helpful with the students that would come just to browse. He asked questions that encouraged them to open up about what they enjoyed reading.
- He familiarized himself with the locations of the crates and would help the students find the crates that contained the books they were looking for.
A few "little known facts" about Dave that enhance who he is :
- He plays trumpet in an 18-person swing band
- He used to play in the band for the Washington Football Team
- He is an Army veteran
- He has built computers
- He loves to read
It was an honor to work with Dave. He is the epitome of what a Loudoun County employee should be.
Thank you again for supporting the book bus program!
Jason Rhodenhizer Gets A Shout Out On Social Media-Great Job!
In a time where there is so much negativity, resentment and frustration, I just wanted to share something positive (not COVID either) with you that my daughter, who is an LCPS teacher, read on social media today. A few parents were offering a huge ‘shout out’ to a wonderful bus driver named Jason who drove bus #222, and what a great job he did with the 3-5th graders returning to school yesterday. The parents went on to say that Jason’s excitement and interaction with the students in welcoming them back to school was wonderful and made them feel very confident the kids were in great hands.
Lead Driver Mike Hall WOWS With His Leadership
My name is Sherry Ferrell and I hope this email finds you well (as can be)! I am proud to say this is my 20th year driving within LCPS and even more proud to reach out with nothing but compliments for my Lead Driver, Mike Hall.
While I have been fortunate to work with many wonderful Lead Drivers, the past two years with Mike have been exemplary. I have been particularly impressed with his leadership given the changes and uncertainties brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mike is a terrific communicator who keeps the drivers on our team top of mind and " in the know". He takes pride in being available to give guidance or just make you laugh. His ability to successfully manage differing personalities is proof of his kindness, patience, and consistency. These qualities have only become more apparent as each day seems to differ from the next.
I am very thankful to be supported by a Lead who makes time for and listens to his drivers!
Congratulations On Your Many Years Of Service
Shanon Nappier - 20 years
Randy Taylor - 20 years
Rhonda Alfred - 20 years
Karen Banks - 20 years
Gloria Canas - 20 years
Yvonne Cunningham - 20 years
Melissa Fauber - 20 years
Christopher Hatch - 20 years
Billie James - 20 years
Lisa Lee - 20 years
Christine Messina - 20 years
Karen Meyer - 20 years
Romaine Minifield-Green - 20 years
Laurie O'Connor - 20 years
Valerie Petrey - 20 years
Barbara Zimmerly - 20 years
Cassandra Garrett - 25 years
Holly Gray - 25 years
Dana Isme - 25 years
Donna Lockhart - 25 years
Wendi Marsten - 25 years
Sherry Mitchell - 25 years
Brenda Sutphin - 25 years
Darlene Trone - 25 years
Nurys Wasef - 30 years
Michelle Jackson - 30 years
Connie Wacker - 35 years
Sandy Dennis - 50 years
Another Famous Recipe From Cheryl O'Konek
This recipe is Cheryl's Great Grandmother Willie Fay's recipe. Cheryl's sister won the 2017 Richmond Times Dispatch Holiday Cookie Contest with this recipe. Try it out!
Willie Fay's Butter Brickle Cookies
½ cup butter, unsalted
1 cup light brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 whole eggs
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
8 ounces toffee bits (such as Heath Bits 'O Brickle)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Melt butter in a small saucepan on medium-low until it begins to foam, stirring occasionally. Let it cook until it is a light golden brown and has a slightly nutty smell (do not burn). Set aside for 5 minutes to cool. Pour the melted butter in a mixing bowl; do not scrape the bottom of the saucepan. Add in the light brown sugar and granulated sugar and mix about 30 seconds. Scrape the bowl.
Add the vanilla extract and the eggs; mix until combined; scrape the bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Slowly add into the sugar mixture. Mix just until combined.
Add in the toffee bits and stir until combined. Do not overmix dough.
Portion cookies into 2 tablespoons, roll into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Flatten balls to about ½-inch thick.
Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown on the edges and cookies are set in the middle. Remove from oven, let cool on pan 1 minute, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.