Driving home the point that learning extends beyond the classroom, bus driver Anne Ross and her Route 5 riders recited the Preamble to the United States Constitution and American’s Creed for the White River School Board at its April 14 meeting.

Earlier in the school year, they performed for their Foothills Elementary School classmates.

Ross said she uses the 20-minute ride to and from the Buckley school to work with students.

It’s something she started in 1999 with Elk Ridge Elementary School students and Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky.

“What possessed me? Just to see if they wanted to accepted the challenge and learn more about what the country is about,” Ross said.

“It builds their self-confidence,” she said. “They’re learning something different, something that not many people know.”

Reciting it before a group, helps build confidence as well.

About one-third of the approximately 40 students on her route accepted this year’s challenge.

Many drivers interact with the students, district transportation head Rick LaBoyne said, but Ross is the most involved in providing specific learning objectives to the students on her route.

“Anne is an exceptional driver,” Foothills Principal Mark Cushman said. “She goes above and beyond the call of duty regularly.”

With two months remaining in this school year, Ross would like to encourage her riders to read. She’s thinking about asking those who are up for another challenge to memorize a passage from one of their favorite books.