In memory of Kayla

By Mark Squibb

Families of children with special needs in the metro area, the Southern Shore, and Conception Bay Centre will now be able to avail of a free field trip transportation program launched by Conception Bay South based business, Bursey’s Bus Services.

Owner Evan Bursey said that arranging transportation for students with special needs can be costly for schools and especially families.

“We wanted to eliminate that challenge,” said Bursey. “We have decided to make a donation of two free field trips per year for every single school in the Avalon East region, which includes 65 schools, whether that school is serviced by Bursey’s Bus Services or not.”

The donation is estimated to be worth about $50,000 per year over the next five years, for a total of $250,000, entirely at the company’s expense.

The program will allow students with mobility or accessibility challenges to join their classmates on field trips without barriers or additional costs.

“We want to bridge the gap, and do something that makes a difference, and allow these students to have the luxuries of outside-class learning and social interaction in the community that they should have,” said Bursey.

The service is dubbed the ‘Kayla Cares’ program, named in loving memory of a special girl, Evan’s sister Kayla, who passed away over 30 years ago.

“Kayla was born with Down Syndrome and would have required a wheelchair should she have survived past the age of two,” said Bursey. “This is not just a business for us. It does hit close to home, as to why we do what we do.”

Bursey and his company officially launched the program at Queen Elizabeth Regional High in Foxtrap, his alma mater, on December 11.

“Every student deserves to be included,” said Bursey. “Every student deserves a chance to experience school field trips and adventures alongside their peers… This program is our way of giving back to help families, support schools and ensure that all students have equal access to learning experiences.”

Michelle Scott, who has been working with school children with special needs for some 20 years, said the program will be invaluable. Scott said it’s been a common practice at many schools where she has worked that staff and parents have to fundraise to afford the extra costs of including special needs children on field trips. Bursey’s donation, she said, will take a lot of that pressure away.

“It’s a beautiful way for Bursey’s Bus Service to carry Kayla’s spirit forward,” said Scott, who got to know Bursey and his family during her work in the schools. “Through every trip and every student supported, her legacy lives on. Evan and his family have chosen to turn their personal loss into something that will help children across our communities. This program is not just about buses; it is about compassion, dignity and ensuring that all students feel valued and noticed. Kayla may not be here physically, but her impact begins today, with every child who gets on an accessible bus because of ‘Kayla Cares.’”

Schools that take advantage of the program will be able to arrange one field trip in the fall, and one in the January to June period on Bursey’s wheelchair accessible buses with drivers trained to help children with special needs.