School Bus problem.

[NeedaVacation03]

I need help thinking this through. My girls (ages 10/12) just got off the school bus. In our community the 5th-12th grade students all ride the same bus. My girls came home saying that a boy on the bus was showing pictures of his privates. They did not look at the pictures cuz they heard other kids saying gross, go away. Well, some kids told the bus driver. She just told the boy to put the stuff away. In the morning he wait to be the last off the bus so he could take pictures of girls as they got off the bus. Now this boy is only in 6th grade, but has a history of trouble. He then took pictures of girls behinds and fronts in the evening also. The bus driver told him 12 times(my oldest is a stickler for the rules and listening so she counted) he better put that away ( you can see it worked real well). I am not sure how to handle this. My girls said that several girls are going to the principal in the morning to handle it. I am very offended by the whole thing. I am not sure if I should let the girls handle it in the morning or call myself. I tend to get involved to quickly sometimes. But I think nudity requires some adult intervention. Help me think this through!!!????

 

[SC Minnie]

As a parent I would be on the phone 5 minutes ago with the principal of the school as well as the transportation office.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Frankly sounds as if the kids have a handle on it. Bus driver knows kids are going to the authority...

I might give it a day and see how they make out. Afterall they were the ones on the bus.

 

[tkd lisa]

Definitely intervene. Is there a transportation office for your area? Call them.

Or better yet, if it's possible, drive them to school in the morning, and ask the school who you should take this problem to.

At a very minimum, this boy should be kicked off the bus. But this type of behavior screams of abuse. The average 6th grade boy isn't going to do something like this unless bad things are happening to him (IMO). Social services needs to be involved.

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

Eww. I'd call the school's principal immediately, as well as the transportation department. That is not something that I'd just let go. I wouldn't let the girls take matters into their own hands, though.

 

[disykat]

Call transportation first since it happened on the bus, then call the school (let them know you've already called transportation). I think the girls should definately go to the principal - but a little heads up to the school first would be a good thing in this case.

I would hope that the bus driver has already reported having difficulties with this student. This needs to be dealt with promptly.

 

[hidmickey:myantidrug]

First off, it's insane to me that such an age range of students are on the bus together. Anyway, I'd call both the school and the transportation office in regard to the driver. She/he should have more controll over the bus happenings, no matter what.

 

[mommaU4]

As a parent I would be on the phone 5 minutes ago with the principal of the school as well as the transportation office.

I agree.
This really has the potiental to get ugly fast if not handled properly. It could border on sexual harrassment if he is in fact showing youger kids pictures of his private areas.

Alot of schools have changed their rules regarding this type of behaviour and are alot stricter now.

I have a son on a bus for the first time now with older kids (he's in 6th but the bus carries kids up through High School) and I hate it. Worries me to no end.

Good luck.

 

[mommaU4]

First off, it's insane to me that such an age range of students are on the bus together. Anyway, I'd call both the school and the transportation office in regard to the driver. She/he should have more controll over the bus happenings, no matter what.

It is insane. I hate it but it happens more than you might think, especially in the more rural areas.

I have an Aunt in TN who took her kids out of school and is now homeschooling them because of problems like this on the bus. The older kids thought it was cute to teach her DD some choice words and dirty jokes. And her DS was getting picked on by the older boys, and having things stolen.

The bus driver was either unable or unwilling to intervene properly so she just choose to keep them home and start homeschooling which is something she'd been toying with anyways.

I think something should be done to avoid these type of things from happening but often it's a matter of money. More busses means more money and there usually isn't any.

 

[ozarkmom]

I would call the principal. My husband fills in for bus drivers and our drivers would have reported this kid. As far as age range we're a small rural district and our buses have K thru 12 although not many high school kids ride the bus. I would report it for sure.

 

[MareQ]

I would DEFINITELY be all over this one. Sorry but this kid sounds like a sexual predator in the making....

 

[#1hockeymom]

I live in a HUGE *square miles wise* school district and understand completely where you are coming from. Our district has 7-12 bussed together, even though they go to different locations once they enter the village limits.

Immediately call the bus garage/transportation office AND the principal of your school and the boy's (if a different school) and let them all know what is happening and who is doing it.

Good luck!
Debbie

 

[mickeyboat]

I agree with the rest. You need to report this to the bus garage and to the school.

In our district, school bus drivers are not allowed to discipline the kids. They only have the authority to report troubling behavior, but can do nothing themselves to stop it. It's no wonder we can't find enough, decent bus drivers.

If your district has a similar policy, it is possible the bus driver has reported it properly.

Denae

 

[EthansMom]

I'd be on the phone to the principal so fast! At our grade school, such behavior violates the rules against sexual harassment (clearly explained for parents in the school handbook).

 

[Cindyluwho]

We've been through a similar situation and here's my advice: Call the principal, AND call CPS. The school most likely will not notify CPS and they DO need to have a record of the incident. That way, if he pulls something at a later date they have this incident on file. Hindsite is 20/20 and we parents made the mistake of listening to the school officials and not calling the authorities when a child exposed himself to some girls in the bathroom. There needs to be a record. If the child never gets in any more trouble, no problem. But if he does pull something, they will have the incident on record. CPS begged us to file a complaint and we all feel terrible now, 3 years later, that we didn't.

 

[Skatermom23]

I agree you should call the transportation company first. They won't be able to do anything but it will create a record. It is really one persons word against another. They won't just go in and search this boys belongings because that would cause problems for them. You just need to have a complaint on file at this point. Hopefully, the kids can work this out for themselves. I have two in HS and have been down this road. It is hard to decide when to step in and when to just let the kids work it out. Good Luck...

 

[disneysnowflake]

I'll never understand how the school expects the bus driver to drive the bus safely, make the correct stops, watch the children on the bus, plus control what goes on in the back of the bus. Heck, it's hard to control rowdy kids in the back seat of a car, kwim? Most drivers only get paid $7 an hour here and work 4 or 5 hours a day.

They should have adult aides on the bus, but ours don't.

Our school was sued over bullying that was never dealt with. I volunteered on almost a full time basis during the school year and was shocked to hear the nasty things said by teachers and staff about this bullied child and his family.

Our district currently has 6th to 12th together. They ride the bus together and some have lunch and even gym together. There is a bunch of trouble.
The school board last year got a earful. They are currently trying to correct the bullying on both the busses and in school.

That boy in the OP sounds like he has some big freaking problems. Creepy.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I would definately intervene.
No way would I assume or expect that a little 10 year old child has a handle on this kind of thing!!!!!! That behaviour is VERY troubling. a 12-13 year old can be very capable of taking this kind of thing to a physical level.

You should be very clear and precise and present this in writing to both the Trans.Dept and the Principal or the Superintendant.

That is all you will be able to do.
The school is not obligated to inform you of any other details or any action taken. But, you will know that you have done the right thing.

 

[poohandwendy]

First off, it's insane to me that such an age range of students are on the bus together.

Yeah, but this kid isn't even much older, so that is sort of a non-issue in this case.

I think I would call the school and the bus company.

Sheesh, what a bad way to handle it. In our district, bus drivers have been known to stop the bus, call the school and then have the police remove kids if they get out of line. (yeah, it's a hassle if your kid is late because of it...but it sends a clear message) Seriously, there should be a better system in place to handle trouble makers on the bus.

 

[blanq]

I need help thinking this through. My girls (ages 10/12) just got off the school bus. In our community the 5th-12th grade students all ride the same bus. My girls came home saying that a boy on the bus was showing pictures of his privates. They did not look at the pictures cuz they heard other kids saying gross, go away. Well, some kids told the bus driver. She just told the boy to put the stuff away. In the morning he wait to be the last off the bus so he could take pictures of girls as they got off the bus. Now this boy is only in 6th grade, but has a history of trouble. He then took pictures of girls behinds and fronts in the evening also. The bus driver told him 12 times(my oldest is a stickler for the rules and listening so she counted) he better put that away ( you can see it worked real well). I am not sure how to handle this. My girls said that several girls are going to the principal in the morning to handle it. I am very offended by the whole thing. I am not sure if I should let the girls handle it in the morning or call myself. I tend to get involved to quickly sometimes. But I think nudity requires some adult intervention. Help me think this through!!!????

First of all, I just want to say that it is so great that your girls came home and told you about this. You must be proud of them for that. You obviously have a good and open relationship with them! I am glad they did not have to witness the pictures. Ughhh!

I think you are right that this requires adult intervention. I also agree with what others have posted, that calls to the manager of the transportation department and Principal are in order. As far as calling Child Protection, that is up to you also, but the Principal is a mandated reporter, so an option is to ask him/her if he/she will be taking that step.