— from Justin Paulsen —
In June of last year, our School District celebrated the retirement of multiple staff members who have contributed to and been part of the lives of our children for many years. There were numerous events and multiple chances for us to publically acknowledge the years of service of each of these individuals. Unfortunately, outside of all of the fanfare and celebration, the staff member who probably deserved the greatest acknowledgement of all was excluded.
It is safe to say that this staff member has worked more days, attended more extracurricular events and been a part of more students lives than any other current employee of the Orcas Island School District – possibly ever. For over 35 years she has safely transported multiple generations of families as a trusted and reliable bus driver, executing her duties in a way that few noticed but many relied upon. Mixed in with this she has served as a trainer, student advisor, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, sharing each of these roles with our community.
And so it is with very little fanfare but a great deal of thanks, appreciation and gratitude that I would like to thank Joyce Nigretto for everything that she has done for our children and for our Island over the years. For every off-island trip, for every time you navigated snow covered roads, for every child who arrived home safe and secure from a day at school… THANK YOU!
Enjoy your retirement Joyce! You’ve earned it!
Joyce you’ll be missed!!! 26 years ago I started riding your bus!!!! Congratulations
Thank you for all you have done, you will be missed. Enjoy your retirement
Thank you for your years of dedicated service!
She was a familiar driver behind the wheel day in and out.
I don’t know how she put up with so many children for so many years! Great job, Joyce. Ken and Karen Speck
Enjoy your retirement, Joyce. I’ll miss waving at you after all of these years passing each other on the road.
She has worked longer than any of our classmates, had more children, grandchildren and probably great grandchildren! Rather than saying “Farewell,” I’d like to express my liveliest interest in finding out what new roles this extraordinary human being will take on! Go for it, Joyce!
35 years ago I rode Joyce’s route, rode it through grade school, my favorite bus driver:) Thank you for all the safe rides!
Yes Joyce, truly thank you!
You help welcome my son to the island.
I am greatful for all of your service.
With much Love,
Dave
Thank you Joyce, an amazing job!
Thank you Joyce, as I was one of those kids.
During all the years I taught at Orcas School I planned my field trips for when Joyce could drive us. She was the essential ingredient to a great expedition!
Thank you so much for always protecting and caring for my girls when they were so little and the first ones and the last ones on & off your bus! I always new they were safe with you! You are appreciated more than you will ever know. I wish you well in retirement. Many hugs and thank you’s to you!!
Y’all might think its easy to drive a bus full of football players to Oregon for a week of summer camp— its not!
–and (mostly) always with a smile!! ;=)
Thanks Joyce—
Thank you Joyce for your amazing years of service. You are the greatest!
Wow
You will be miss very much Joyce
Thank you do much for all you did
We love you
May God bless you with more fun memories for all of us to treasure
I wasn’t one of Joyce Nigretto’s “frequent riders”, but I rode a school bus every morning as a child in a rural Ozark community much like Orcas. Our bus driver was a very sweet older gentleman who wore OshKosh denim overalls, plaid flannel shirts with a MFA (Missouri Farmers Association) trucker ball cap. After picking up to 70 loud rowdy kids and cranky teenagers at 6-7 am, he would return to his other job as a soybean farmer, returning again at 2:30 for pick up and delivery. He was affectionately known as “Grandpa”. The Nigretto’s are farmers too. I buy hay and straw from them and love being greeted by Joyce’s pet chickens ducks, & geese.
School bus drivers like Joyce Nigretto fulfilled much more than transportation. They were a friendly face that greeted you every morning and every afternoon…taking time to ask each kid how they’re day went. They would honk and give you a few extra minutes to get there in case you were running late. They could drive twisty country roads, in ice, sleet, and white out conditions. They could drive safely yet still check on everyone every few minutes in that big rectangle mirror over their windshield. They could pull over and break up a fight and keep others from bullying you. They knew who the trouble makers were…and those needing extra protection. They could intimidate the big mean kid at the very back thumping your head, hollering from the front of the bus awesome declarations like: “simmer down or I”ll knock the tar outta you”. Of course they never did…but it was nice to know they had the ability to defend if needed. They helped the new kids find a seat and could match shy kids to the more outgoing. They could end a steamy session between teenagers with an abrupt “tap” on the brakes and an admonishing head shake. They could slip hardship kids a homemade bag lunch with stealth precision so know one knew. They rarely if ever took a sick day…even though their office was a Petri dish on wheels. They were grandparent figures you didn’t have. They were Au Pairs whose services were utilized but not a part of the job description and salary. Rarely do the “Joyce Nigretto’s” & “Grandpa’s” of our childhood receive the recognition they so deserve. The responsibility and liability involved in hauling precious cargo ever day in our inclement weather on our narrow shoulder-less roads, alongside steep grades, lakes and deep bays, is a job for the truly brave. Thank you Joyce…for your 35 years of bravery, service and dedication.