WELLS — Each fall, the Parent Teacher Student Association, or PTSA, at Wells Elementary School sponsors a ”˜Bus Driver Appreciation Week’ to acknowledge and thank those who have the responsibility of safely delivering students to and from school.

Bus Driver Appreciation Week occurred at WES from Oct. 20-24. It coincided with National School Bus Safety Week.

On the first day, during their morning run, drivers were greeted with a large ”˜thank you’ sign placed prominently on the lawn of WES. Drivers were treated to a morning snack including coffee and bagels. At student dismissal time, kindergartners presented handmade ”˜thank you’ cards to their drivers. Over the next four days, first through fourth grade students followed suit with their own cards.

The week wrapped up with more food delivered to the drivers’ lunch and break area at Ledgemere Transportation Inc.’s bus terminal in Wells. Presented at that time were a specially made cake and gifts. Bus Driver Appreciation Week at WES was coordinated by PTSA members Denise Knobloch and Sarah Koh.

On Nov. 4, the Parent Teacher Organization and the Student Council at Wells Junior High School recognized their school’s bus drivers with coffee, muffins, bagels, scones, apples and juice delivered to the drivers at Ledgemere in Wells.

“The students here love their bus drivers,” said Librarian and Student Council co-advisor Lynn Mercier. “They speak very favorably of their bus drivers.”

According to Terminal Manager Lauren Clark, Ledgemere currently has 16 drivers who transport 850 students to and from school in Wells and Ogunquit each school day.