Nine kindergartners, three NRoute buses, the Catfish Row playground and a McDonald’s add up to a day of fun and learning, a class from Travelers Rest Christian Academy has discovered.

The late-season excursion was planned to give the young people experience riding and transferring on public transportation, but also as an early graduation present. Commencement is May 28.

“This trip was a reward from parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jackson,” said teacher’s assistant Christine Doss. The Jacksons’ son, Jomonie, 6, is a member of the class and an eager participant in the activity. Audrey Jackson is a secretary with NRoute and helped arrange the trip, with the Jacksons donating the fares for the nine students and their teachers and helpers.

“It’s just a little celebration for their graduation,” Robert Jackson said. “And it helps them get to know our city a little better. They all think it’s fun to ride the bus.”

The students prayed the Lord’s Prayer with teacher Hattie Jeffery, and recited Psalm 23 and the books of the Bible — Old and New Testament, in order — before lining up to board the bus at the corner of Bowmar Avenue and Washington street, next to the Travelers Rest Baptist Church and school.

“I’m so happy to see this,” said school director Janet Watts. “They need to go around Vicksburg and see how the NRoute bus is working and what its purpose is.”

Once NRoute bus No. 23 arrived about 9:50 a.m., their adventure was under way. “We prayed already,” Jeffery called out to Watts, and the kids boarded, found a seat next to a buddy and fastened their seat belts.

Having ridden the NRoute bus once before for Career Day at the school, the kids were veterans, looking out windows and talking quietly with friends.

After about a 10-minute ride, they unloaded on Mulberry Street, lined up again, and held hands while crossing streets to get to the Catfish Row playground.

“It’s fun playing, getting all sweaty and getting exercise,” said 6-year-old Amoiree Kelly.

Other class members in attendance were Michala Ellis, 5; KenDraya Smith, 5; Ashton Dent, 6; Shania Wince, 5; John Goings, 5; Aaliyah Washington, 5; and Samuel Terrett, 5.

After an hour or so playing, the students were scheduled to get on NRoute bus No. 35 and go to the Iowa Boulevard McDonald’s, where they would grab lunch, play a little longer, and then board a third bus, No. 40, to the transit system hub. There they would make the transfer back to bus  No. 23 and return to school.

“This is really good for the kids,” said Evelyn Bumpers, who manages the nine-van system local governments created three years ago, “and it helps to enhance their life skills. As they get older, they’ll need to know how to navigate the transit in city if they don’t have cars.”

Jeffery retired from the Vicksburg Warren Schools after 38 years of teaching many different grade levels. She has been at Travelers Rest since 2003. The school is accredited through the Mississippi Private School Association and includes classes for 4-year-olds through sixth grade.

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Contact Pamela Hitchins at phitchins@vicksburgpost.com