Ann Arbor Times

The longstanding tradition of collecting nice job notes was recently discussed at a Dexter Community Schools Board of Education meeting.

The school board wanted to start a new program that recognized people within their district for good work, calling it Shining Stars. The first star chosen to be recognized by the board was district bus driver Jennifer Simons, who has worked for the district since 2000.

“Dexter schools have a tradition of collecting nice job notes, handwritten or electronic notes, telling a member of the team that their good work has being noticed and appreciated,” said Board President Mara Greatorex. “These are read by the superintendent, forwarded to the person being complimented and the number of notes is tallied by the board of education each month. Some nice job notes are really nice and represent exceptional work. We are going to start sharing some of these at board meetings.”

The district had received a note regarding a school bus driver named Jennifer Simons from a family who had a special needs son going to school. He is picked up in Dexter by Jennifer and brought to Manchester for school. The note recalled how his transition to school four years ago was not easy, but that Jennifer’s gentle relationship with him and the whole family has made bus rides so much easier for everyone.

Simons thanked the board for the recognition and recalled how she began with the district in a part time secretarial position and how a tragic bus accident in the area drew her to become a bus driver to keep kids safe. She went through the training that very summer and started the next school year.

Simons also thanked her coworkers and department, saying that they were the most dedicated individuals she knew.