What’s better than a party during the holidays? How about 44 of them? At Dean, the holiday season is a chance to say thank you, share a meal and spend time together as a team.
Bringing Teams Together
Each Dean holiday gathering brings together a mix of people who make our work meaningful every day. Staff members are joined by district partners, including superintendents, principals and administrators, and often Dean retirees who return to reconnect with familiar faces.
From November through January, the Dean leadership team and central staff members traveled 5,000 miles across Michigan to visit Dean team members from every location. Along the way, they delivered a special holiday card and gift to each Dean team member, offering a personal touch and connection point that many look forward to each year. These gatherings create a moment to pause, reflect on the past year’s accomplishments, and look ahead with optimism and excitement to the new year.
Supervisors, trainers and the leadership team share messages of gratitude and encouragement, recognizing the dedication of drivers, attendants, office teams and service technicians to transport students to and from school each day. At some locations, district partners collaborate to bring in student groups such as choirs that add a special touch to the celebration and always draw smiles.
Highlighting Service
The holiday gatherings are also an important time for recognition. Some operation supervisors spotlight “Standing Ovation” nominees — team members who have gone above and beyond to support coworkers, students or district partners. Their stories highlight the everyday impact of small acts of kindness and professionalism.
This season also marked the launch of a refreshed years‑of‑service recognition program, featuring a commemorative coin and a personalized card. Team members were celebrated for milestones at 5, 10 and 15 years and beyond, right up to a few remarkable individuals who reached 35 years of service!
Supporting Families
Another long-standing tradition honored during the celebrations is Christmas Wish for Kids, a program that focuses on supporting children of Dean team members during the holiday season. Through this program, Dean also works alongside its school district partners, providing contributions to support students, families, programs or other needs over the holidays. These programs continue to be a meaningful way that Dean stands behind our team members, their families and the students we serve.
Whether acknowledging years of service, expressing gratitude or supporting families, these moments reflect a culture built on appreciation and connection. While the holidays may come around once a year, the sense of community they inspire continues well beyond the celebrations themselves.
