Bussing issue with DS

[Poohgirl]

I know I can't be overreacting about this, but I am getting no where and unsure what to do next...

My DS13 is required to stay afterschool one day a week for reading help so he doesn't fall behind. He takes the late bus home since I am not home from work yet. The afterschool bus does not go door-to-door, they drop off in neighborhoods since the two busses need to cover the entire town.

The bus will drop him off at the end of our road, and he has a 1 1/4 mile walk to our house. He has complained since the start of school about this but I told him to stick it out, enjoy the walk, its only once a week etc. Since the time change however, by the time he gets dropped off its dark out. We have no street lights on our road other then one outside our house. So he would have to walk home, by himself in the dark for a mile and a quarter. So far he hasn't. He has "forgotten" every week since it has been dark.

I have gotten several "shame on you as a parent" voice mails from the school telling me how important this program is for him and I need to be sure he attends. I do understand its importance.

I have called the school and they told me to speak with the bus company. I have spoken with the bus company and they say there is nothing they can do with the current budget constraints. I have tried to find someone close by that may be able to pick him up.

I don't feel that it is safe for him to walk our road in the dark and I am unsure if he should stay after school if they can't get him home safely. Any suggestions???

 

[worm761]

I would suggest that if this program is so important for him then they can do it during school hours. There is no way my 13 year old would be walking that far in the dark with no street lights. If he needs the help that bad then, by law, they are required to give him an IEP. And that has to be carried out DURING the school day. Your argument is with the school, not the bus company.

 

[dawson5]

Will the school work with you and do a before school session? Would this be workable for you?

 

[Poohgirl]

Thanks, you may be right about having to deal with the school. To clarify, he does have a 504 and gets help during his "off" period, this is in addition to that. They don't want to pull him from class time because he so easily falls behind.

 

[Poohgirl]

Will the school work with you and do a before school session? Would this be workable for you?

I would agree to work out something like that. Im told those sessions are currently "full". It is computer based so the class sizes are limited.

This would be a great alternative though, I'll have to call them again and be a little more "pushy"

 

[HM]

Since its a computer based program, can the school give him the login and password for the program? Or tell you how to get a copy of the program to use at home?

Our kids teachers often have 'extra' things they'd like the kids to look at and give them the information on how to get to it at home.

Can he stay at the school until you can come pick him up?

 

[barkley]

is he the only one that gets off at that stop? or does he know someone who gets off at another stop? you might be able to work something out with another parent who picks up at the stop/nearby stop to arrange a lift home for him. or, since it's just one day a week could he go to the home of a friend who rides it (or one of your neighbors who lives close to the bus stop) to wait till you can pick him up?

the other alternative is would it be possible for him not to catch the bus and to stay at school for you to pick him up?


the school dd attends has a late bus that only drops off at a handfull of stops-and with rare exceptions anyone who rides it ends up many miles from their home (our regular bus stop is 3 miles from the homes in our neighborhood because we live ruraly). because of this the school's hours extend beyond the time the late bus leaves (so if it takes the late bus an hour to do the route and return to the school, the school is still open until that return time). students can stay and do study hall or use the library until a designated time in between the bus leaving/bus returning (i think it's about 15 minutes prior to the bus return time).


if it's required he takes the class then i suspect the school might have an 'out' on being obligated to do more than ensure transportation is available in the afternoons. the before school sessions are likely something they did to help parents out with these issues in the first place-and probably are high demand/wait listed, because if they tried to require a kid to enroll in one, unless they offered an early bus there would definatly be issues in law compliance.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Call the principal and discuss it again. If that doesn't work...

Call a member of your Board of Education if you have one. Tell them your story. And that you really need help.

If that gets you nowhere go to the Board of Ed meeting and tell your story during the public section.

If that doesn't work, call your local paper and explain that they want you to have your son stay but that it's dark when he's dropped off over a mile from your home and you don't feel that's a safe option and they are unwilling to help you. They just might be interested in it!

 

[Poohgirl]

Great options from everyone, thank you!!

I had not thought of him getting off with a friend at their house, good idea. I will have to check with my son about this.

I was really hoping to resolve this between the school and/or the bus company. I figured because of the situation, someone would want to help me out. Its very frustrating because Im sure they would have a different outlook if it were their child or grandchild instead of "sorry nothing we can do!"

 

[ChrisFL]

This isn't exactly about the bus, but if I understand your post correctly, he's been forgetting to go to his afterschool class?

When I was in 9th grade (geez, about 16 years ago), I was supposed to do afterschool math once a week....and I would forget CONSTANTLY...not because I didn't want to, my brain just couldn't get used to my schedule changing once a week....my mom would get sooo mad

 

[SpecialK]

Sounds like your son is uncomfortable with walking in the dark, too. I'd let the school know that either he's accomodated or he won't be in the program until the time changes back. No way would I let my son walk down an unlit road after dark.

 

[2binak]

This isn't exactly about the bus, but if I understand your post correctly, he's been forgetting to go to his afterschool class?

When I was in 9th grade (geez, about 16 years ago), I was supposed to do afterschool math once a week....and I would forget CONSTANTLY...not because I didn't want to, my brain just couldn't get used to my schedule changing once a week....my mom would get sooo mad

I'm pretty sure the Op's son is "forgetting" to go to his afterschool class because he does not like walking 1.25 miles in the dark, on an unlit road by himself. He's not really forgetting to go, more like avoiding the situation altogether; therefore, the Op's use of quotes around the word forgotten.

OP - please continue to talk with the school officials and let them know that this is an unsafe situation for your son to be in. I hope they can help you come to a resolution soon.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I wouldn't contact a newspaper because (well, I just wouldn't anyway) I wouldn't want my name out there and the issue that my kid is alone after school.

Is there a library on the way that he can stay at? Or does the bus drop off at the library, where he can spend his time while he's waiting for a ride home?

 

[C.Ann]

Although I had to walk that far when I was a kid and took the late bus home, I was walking through a neighborhood - lots of houses lit up and street lights at least part of the way - till the last half mile or so..

No other kids - dark road - no street lights.. Yeah - I'd have a problem with that.. Hope you can work something out..

 

[DancingBear]

Are there sidewalks?

 

[taximomfor4]

If this is a requirement, I would push it. Otherwise, I would get him tutoring during hours that work for you (a retired teacher, Sylvan, whatever). There are apparently real reasons why the late bus does such limited stops. The best they can do is the best they can do. Our district doesn't even HAVE a late bus...when dd has to do her afterschool program, we have to pick her up at school or have someone else do it for us.

 

[allison443]

I know I can't be overreacting about this, but I am getting no where and unsure what to do next...

My DS13 is required to stay afterschool one day a week for reading help so he doesn't fall behind. He takes the late bus home since I am not home from work yet. The afterschool bus does not go door-to-door, they drop off in neighborhoods since the two busses need to cover the entire town.

The bus will drop him off at the end of our road, and he has a 1 1/4 mile walk to our house. He has complained since the start of school about this but I told him to stick it out, enjoy the walk, its only once a week etc. Since the time change however, by the time he gets dropped off its dark out. We have no street lights on our road other then one outside our house. So he would have to walk home, by himself in the dark for a mile and a quarter. So far he hasn't. He has "forgotten" every week since it has been dark.

I have gotten several "shame on you as a parent" voice mails from the school telling me how important this program is for him and I need to be sure he attends. I do understand its importance.

I have called the school and they told me to speak with the bus company. I have spoken with the bus company and they say there is nothing they can do with the current budget constraints. I have tried to find someone close by that may be able to pick him up.

I don't feel that it is safe for him to walk our road in the dark and I am unsure if he should stay after school if they can't get him home safely. Any suggestions???

OP I think you have gotten some good suggestions!
Just to give another perspective, my kids' schools did not have any late busses (elementary or high school). We had to make arrangements for transportation after sports practices, tutoring, extra help, club meetings, etc.
If it is important to you it can be done.

However, since you have late bussing and they are requiring him to stay, I would keep pursuing solutions with the bus company. They are probably the ones who determine the route.

I hope you can work it out!

 

[allison443]

Sounds like your son is uncomfortable with walking in the dark, too. I'd let the school know that either he's accomodated or he won't be in the program until the time changes back. No way would I let my son walk down an unlit road after dark.

If the program is important for OP's 13 year old, I don't think she should pull him out for the rest of the winter...yes, the school should provide a better method of transportation, but if they didn't I would do it myself if my kid really needed this help and was benefiting from it.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I would make sure he was at the class no matter what and figure out how you can make it work for him..

Have a neighbor meet him at the bus stop
Stay at the school until you can get there
See if a teacher comes your way
Find a walk buddy

I am in the group with the OP who DO not get a second bus, sometimes not even a first bus. We are constantly making calls and changing schedules to pick up our kids. I thought that was just normal. I would never have thought schools would have to provide a second bus...

 

[SpecialK]

If the program is important for OP's 13 year old, I don't think she should pull him out for the rest of the winter...yes, the school should provide a better method of transportation, but if they didn't I would do it myself if my kid really needed this help and was benefiting from it.

If you mean she could drive him herself, the OP said she works and cannot pick him up. If you mean that she could try to get the program materials and work with her son at home, I agree.