The Gus Bus

10/14/2026

We can’t wait to celebrate Lights On Afterschool NEXT WEEK!💡🎉

10/09/2026

✨This week, Gus Bus students in Shenandoah County learned about symmetry and explored how shapes can be divided into matching halves. They started by folding a rectangle to find lines of symmetry, then put those skills into practice through a fun origami activity! Students carefully folded paper, looked for matching sides, and created their own origami dogs! 🐶📄

Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time (VPOST)

10/07/2026

🧡 Every child deserves opportunities to learn, grow, connect, and belong.

A recent Richmond Times-Dispatch op-ed highlights how Virginia's social media settlement funds could support afterschool and summer programs like Gus Bus and other youth-serving organizations across the Commonwealth.

We are proud to see Gus Bus and other Harrisonburg out-of-school-time programs recognized as part of the network of organizations helping young people thrive beyond the school day.

Read Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time (VPOST)'s article to learn more about this opportunity to invest in Virginia's youth! ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/mr3z97kp

09/30/2026

📣 We're still looking for volunteers to support our afterschool programs at Keister and Stone Spring Elementary Schools on Mondays from 3:30-6:00PM!

By volunteering with Gus Bus, you will help to provide literacy enrichment, academic support, and meaningful learning experiences for local elementary students. Just a few hours of your time can make a lasting impact on a child's life.📚✨

Ready to join us? Email us at [email protected] to learn more and get involved!

09/29/2026

We had so much fun during soccer club yesterday at Stone Spring Afterschool!⚽ Students learned the vocabulary word "dribble" and focused on developing that skill throughout the afternoon.

They started by learning proper dribbling techniques and practiced dribbling soccer balls back and forth across the field. Next, they challenged themselves by zigzagging through cones while maintaining control of the ball. Students also enjoyed playing Soccer Sharks and Minnows before wrapping up the day with a fun scrimmage!🏃🏃‍♀️

Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time (VPOST)

09/25/2026

🍂 Happy fall, y'all! 🍂 With the cool, rainy weather earlier this week, students at Keister Elementary Afterschool enjoyed some indoor recess time to get out their wiggles and decompress after the school day. Then, students worked in groups to brainstorm and write examples of what the Gus Bus values of Growth, Understanding, and Safety look like in action. Finally, they collaborated to create a classroom expectations poster featuring rules that will help make afterschool a positive, safe, and successful learning environment for everyone! 🙌

Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time (VPOST)

09/22/2026

✨ Join Gus Bus as we celebrate Lights On Afterschool on Thursday October 22nd from 5:30-7:30PM at the Lucy F. Simms Center! Bring your family and enjoy games, raffles, food, interactive booths, and MORE while learning about the many out-of-school time programs available throughout Harrisonburg. 🎉

📲 Gus Bus families: Please scan the QR code or visit: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/uSHDQP7Mje to RSVP!

09/18/2026

The first week back at Gus Bus was a blast!🤗

This week, students at Stone Spring Elementary Afterschool explored how different learning environments impact teamwork and focus. Using a collaborative puzzle activity 🧩, they practiced working in three different "color zones" and reflected on which setting helped them succeed.

Color zones:
❤️ Red Zone - No talking
💛 Yellow Zone - Quiet conversation related to the task
💚 Green Zone - Talking in indoor voices

They also had the opportunity to create shared classroom expectations, helping build a positive and supportive community for the year ahead!

Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time (VPOST)

09/17/2026

☀🚌 Did you know? Gus Bus has a new Neighborhood Bus Stop at the Waterman Elementary School track every Wednesday from 3:30-4:30pm!

Students walking or biking home from school, along with children in the surrounding neighborhood, are invited to hop on board for:
✨ Fun enrichment activities
📖 Book checkout
🎲 Games and more!

Yesterday, students completed a simple jigsaw puzzle while following different behavior expectations for the Bus. Through this activity, they learned that different situations and activities require us to work together in different ways. We can't wait to meet new students next Wednesday!

09/15/2026

Read more about our partnership with the Shenandoah County Library System to bring the Gus Bus Mobile Classroom to Shenandoah County! https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/gus-bus-bringing-mobile-classroom-to-childrens-neighborhoods/article_7df19539-361e-5eae-a5b1-99feb39b087e.html

A mobile classroom designed to bring literacy and educational enrichment directly to children is coming to Shenandoah County. The Gus Bus, operated by James Madison University’s Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services, will begin making stops throughout the county beginning Monday.