Special to 1808Delaware
The Big Bus, a mobile classroom that provides academic help to Westerville City Schools elementary students, will now be able to expand its reach thanks to the newest addition to its fleet.
Leaders behind The Big Bus recently launched The Big Bus II — a retired transit bus that has been converted into a mobile classroom — to support WCSD middle and high school students in need of classroom support and services.
“We’re just so excited we’re launching this bus into the community,” Executive Director Kelly Gurich said. “We’re completing our vision and creating a multi-generational impact not just on the student but the entire family from preschool and beyond.”
Thanks to a partnership with the United Way of Central Ohio and Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), organizers behind The Big Bus were able to launch plans for a second bus earlier than anticipated.
COTA donated a retired bus and with grant funding and donations, organizers were able to renovate the vehicle into a mobile classroom. The seats have been removed, the floor has been refinished and the interior of the bus has been repainted. Now, the bus features a solar-paneled roof, chairs and table tops for learning spaces and electrical outlets. The Big Bus II is stocked with 15 Chromebooks for students and tutors to use.
Gurich said they are currently working with school leaders to schedule bus tours and identify students who need academic support. Eventually, The Big Bus 2 will travel to students’ neighborhoods to host tutoring sessions like The Big Bus does for elementary students.
To manage The Big Bus II, the nonprofit hired a site coordinator, Jacquelyn Brunache, to work with the District’s middle and high schools to coordinate site visits and support students. Gurich said they hope The Big Bus II will be ready to serve students in grades 6-12 by the end of November.
The inspiration behind The Big Bus stemmed from conversations WCSD Board of Education member Tracy Davidson had with families in 2021. While volunteering to distribute school supplies to families at Abbey Lane, she met with Somali mothers, asking them about their concerns and challenges. Among the topics: academic help for their kids who need extra support at home.
After the exchange, Davidson recalled a request from another mother. “She said, ‘After you help our kids, could you please help us to learn English and to read so we can help our young children before they go to school?’”
Davidson said these conversations ultimately led to a shared vision of creating a mobile classroom, which will reduce barriers to learning by bringing culturally-sensitive tutoring and EL services to these families in their own neighborhoods.
She worked with community members and District leaders to launch The Big Bus in 2022. Although they collaborate closely with local educators, The Big Bus has its own funding source, its own governing board, and operates independently of WCSD.
Now with the launch of The Big Bus II, the nonprofit is working towards providing preschool and adult English language services to families this fall.
Source: Westerville City Schools
