Ms. Andie is such a joy and positive example for the kids and the parents. She is really loving and takes pride in what she does. Ms. Andie is the first person our children see every morning and she sets the tone for their entire learning experience. She is truly one of a kind.”

Jessica Snider, mom of LESD students Cassidy and Bailey Snider

Litchfield Elementary School District student transporter Andrea Hauck missed the 105 students she regularly transported on her No. 5 bus route before COVID-19 closed Arizona’s schools for the remainder of the academic year, so she decided to send them a sign.

Actually, it was 16 signs.

In between professional development training and refresher courses the district is conducting for transportation staff while they are unable to drive their routes, Ms. Hauck purchased materials, made the signs and placed them along her route just before Easter.

“Ms. Andie, Spike, and the Bus Dragon Family MISS YOU!!! We can’t wait to see you next school year!!! Stay strong!!!” read the signs, which are emblazoned with photos of the bus, a heart and a trio of plush dragon toys that have greeted students since Ms. Hauck purchased Spike at a renaissance faire a couple of years ago.

“I wanted them to have something year to year other than me that they would relate to,” she said of Spike during an April 17 phone interview. “The kids are adorable. They’ll pat him on the head and say, ‘good morning, Spike.’”

Scott Libby Elementary students named Spike, and next school year, she’ll ask her young riders to name the mama and baby dragon she bought to round out her bus dragon mascot family earlier this year.

The signs were a hit with LESD families, several of whom greeted Ms. Hauck with signs of their own as she made her way through neighborhoods along her route, which includes stops in Buckeye, Goodyear and Litchfield Park.

“It was really sweet,” she said. “A bunch of my families came out.”

Cassidy Snider, a student at Scott Libby Elementary, and her sister Bailey, a student at Belen Soto Elementary, were among those who held up colorful signs telling Ms. Hauck how they feel about her.

“Ms. Andie is such a joy and positive example for the kids and the parents,” the girls’ mom, Jessica Snider, said via email. “She is really loving and takes pride in what she does. Ms. Andie is the first person our children see every morning and she sets the tone for their entire learning experience. She is truly one of a kind.”

Ms. Hauck, who has been driving for LESD for 2 1/2 years, said transporting students is the best job she’s ever had.

“I have the world’s most wonderful group of kids and co-workers,” she said.

Kelly O’Sullivan can be reached at kosullivan@newszap.com or 760-963-1697. For up-to-date local reporting on all things COVID-19, Independent Newsmedia has created a webpage dedicated to coverage of the novel coronavirus: #AZNEWSMEDIA