Princeton bus driver’s letter to parents brings joy to Facebook

PRINCETON — A school bus driver's note to the parents of two young siblings who were caught in an act of kindness toward a classmates has touched the hearts of tens of thousands of people.

Driver Cindy Clausen said she noticed elementary school students Jorge and Annaliese showing kindness to a student who has difficulty walking.

"Some days Jackson is a little sad getting on the bus, but as soon as he sees Annaliese and Jorge he smiles," Clausen wrote in the letter she mailed their parents.

Clausen, a driver for 23 years in the Princeton public school district, told New Jersey 101.5 that Annaliese one day offered encouragement to Jackson and Jorge offered to carry his backpack.

The children all attend the Johnson Park Elementary School.

"I know you know how wonderful your children are, but I wanted them to know that it shows," Clausen said.

The parents posted the letter this week on the Love What Matters Facebook page and it went viral with several thousand views and shares. It caused Clausen's phone to blow up with messages and calls.

"I didn't know what was going on," Clausen said, who sent the letter in September. Clausen said she's heard from several friends she hasn't spoken to in years.

"I'm in awe. I wrote this letter to some parents because I was so touched by their children. We always seem to take the time when we want to complain about something but not that same minute when we want to thank somebody or write something nice," Clausen said.

"I'm glad I could bring some happiness to Facebook."

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

More from New Jersey 101.5