In Good Hands: Bus Buddies and The Shore Bus

Connection is at the heart of everything we do at Shore. The start of a new school year can feel like a big adventure, especially when you’re only four years old. For Pre-K 2 student Emmy W., that adventure began the moment she climbed aboard the Shore bus. Who better to guide that journey than a cheerful bus driver and the encouraging smile and direction of her pre-assigned Bus Buddy, third grader Sean Y.? By the time Friday’s bus brought her back home, Emmy was positively beaming. Not only did she feel completely at ease and cared for, but she also had a new friend by her side every step of the way. What might have been a daunting first week becomes an experience of warmth and belonging right from the start.

That sense of connection is exactly what Shore’s Bus Buddy program is all about. Each afternoon, Lower School students gather in the Octagon. Our older students, the Bus Buddies, greet them with smiles, helping them line up and walk hand in hand to the buses. Teaching Assistant Weller Henderson witnesses the impact each day, “It’s wonderful to watch the friendships that grow and the bond that forms between students from different grade levels.” In what may seem like an everyday moment, something special is happening. Older students practice empathy and leadership, while younger students gain confidence and trust. Together, they create a daily ritual that builds community, character, and connection across grade levels.

At Shore, this work is intentional. Before being paired with their younger buddies, older students meet to talk about what it means to be a role model and how to create the most positive experience for their younger peers. Fourth grader Teddy W. reflected, “I just really like that being a Bus Buddy prepares me for the responsibility of being a fifth grade leader and a Big Buddy.” Beyond these friendships, Shore’s bus system reflects the values that define our community. As Shore continues to grow, so do the opportunities for connection. This year, we expanded to include a sixth route, the Melrose bus, joining routes that now serve over 27 surrounding towns. Streamlined routes save families time, support a healthy balance between home and school, and build connections. 

Through it all, the Bus Buddy program reminds us that leadership can begin with something as simple as holding a hand or saving a seat for a new friend. Every afternoon, as lines of students head towards the buses, you can see Shore’s mission in motion.