She drove thousands of Westport students safely back and forth to school for decades. Thursday night, the community said “Thank you” to Jane Vieira.

Vieira, who retired from Amaral’s Bus in June after more than 50 years behind the wheel, had no idea why she’d been asked to attend Thursday’s school committee meeting. But the district’s transportation and business manager, Michelle Rapoza, let the cat out of the bag quickly:

“Thank you for your kindness, thank you for your attention,” she said to Vieira, who sat a few rows back from the stage with family. “Your dedication has been a gift to this community. You have provided more than transportation — you have provided safety, comfort, stability, and love to thousands of children.”

Like countless other families, Rapoza’s has long ties to Vieira. She drove for Rapoza’s daughter, then her other two children, and ended her career with her grandson, who she said was particularly fond of her — “I know that many other families” have similar stories, she said. “You were always there.”

In the months leading up to Thursday’s meeting, school officials heard from dozens of other families who said the same after the district sent out emails asking for memories. Many of them were played back in a video shown at Thursday’s meeting.

“Things we loved,” the Williams family, with students Olivia and Teela, wrote:

“She always smiled and greeted the children each day by their names. She always modeled kindness and exuded love and compassion for her job. She waved to so many people who would see her on Drift Road over the years, and she has been tremendously missed since her retirement. The children came off her bus happy each day.”

“Our kids absolutely loved her and miss seeing her every day,” Sarah Gesner and family wrote.

“I am so proud to say that I have had the pleasure of having the great Ms. V as my bus driver for eight years,” added another writer. “She was and always will be my favorite bus driver.”

“You have always been such a kind person, ever since the very first day I rode the bus with you in kindergarten,” wrote Ryder/James Smith. “You have a heart of gold — I will miss you very much.”

School officials presented Vieira with a bouquet of flowers and a gift bag, and she also received commendations from Rep. Steve Ouellette and Sen. Michael J. Rodrigues.

Barboza said she hopes Vieira has a long and healthy retirement, and stays in touch with her friends and coworkers.

“We hope some of your other drivers take you out for breakfast at least once a week.”