School Bus

[insideout]

I don't have any children that ride the school bus, but I do know that parents are complaining about not finding their children at certain bus stops. I use to live in Corpus and we were allowed to use school transportation if we lived one mile away from school. We could only list one pick up and one drop off address (not call each day and say can you drop my child off at grandma or auntie or....so on.) If you missed the bus, that was it, you missed the bus, if it was raining and the yard was full of mud...WE had to find a way to the bus (not have them pick up us in another car because the bus could not drive in to our property or we couldn't get our feet wet. From all the compliants I'm hearing, it's not all the school, alot has to do with the parents. I think we are spoiled here. My suggestion is stick to one drop off and one pick up address.

[MathisMom]

You have made some good points and I agree stick with one address and be done with it.
I personally know a child that is in kinder and never rides the bus yet he was put on a bus. The poor kid was so confused he ended up getting scared and getting off the bus with a friend of his. Can you imagine his moms fear? Not being able to find her kid, the bus drivers having no clue where he was dropped off at etc. He is just a baby that was uncalled for. I could understand it a little bit more if it were a kid in middle school or one that can truly speak for themselves.
I know the mom has been trying to meet with the superintendent or some school board members over the mess.
Hope it all got settled and no kid and no family has to go thru that fear again

[cateyes]

I agree it's scary to not know where your child is. But I agree with the other post, why do studets get transportation in Mathis even if they live across the street or a few blocks away? What would parents do if for some reason they were to cut back and only pick up if you live one mile away like other cities, would they just not send their child because they don't have a car? Or don't want to get dressed, or need that extra time at home to get dressed for work? We use to have to walk blocks and miles to get to school. Parents need to understand also that mistakes are made, and if you have ever been to the school during the release time oh my its crazy the kids run around, you see those ladies trying to get them in line and some kids just don't listen and just do as they please. It would be easy for a younger child to get mixed in the shuffle. I am not saying it wasn't anyones fault for that child that got sent on the bus, I do think they need some type of system to know who is to ride or walk. But if they did it like most cities, only those who live a mile away or special ed would get bus rides. They would save big time on transportation funding and parens would find their child.

[Concerned Mom]

Well as the mother of the Kinder child whom got put on the bus I agree with everyone, except for Cateyes part that some kids don't listen and just do as they please. Well news flash YES I have been there during pick up hours and they keep the kids that ride the bus seperately. I think it defeats the purpose of having to sign forms specifying whether your children ride the bus or not. My son has never had to ride a bus we've always picked him up. So in my opinion YES it was the schools fault. This has happened a numerous of times to other children. I met with the superintendent and some staff members a week ago today. They assured me and another parent that they had already come up with a new system and they have yet to come thru with this system. They also assured us that it would start as of Monday morning and it still hasn't. Need I say more. These things happen because this school can never follow thru anything they say they will do. SO YES IT WAS THE FREAKING SCHOOLS FAULT THAT MY SON WAS LOST FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF. How would you feel if it was your child that was lost and you didn't know where he/she was? Put yourself in my shoes....He is my only child.

[lmao]

That's what happens when you trust practically strangers to take care of your child. you want it done right; have to do it yourself!!!

[OG Gal]

My neighbors girls (5 & 10) just started riding the bus in the morning and in the afternoon this school year. For some odd reason, last week the bus driver dropped off my kids and turned the bus around..the girls live 2 houses further down. Needless to say, the mom freaked out and called my son to see if the girls were on the bus, but he didn't pay attention. I'm sure this was an accident, but MAN, wouldn't every parent freak out??? And I too blame the bus driver AND the bus monitor. They both should've seen the girls get on ??!?!! And why turn the bus around and finish the regular route??
I can totally see how this whole system would crumble if the kids would change the get on - get off place weekly, but luckily, they are not allowed to.

[Insideout]

Thing is they are allowed to change the get on-get off place. Many parents send a note to school with the child to give the teacher, saying please have the bus drop of """"" at grandma's house today.

I think the the transporation department should have rules and regulations and stick to them. Parent who want to change drop off should be required to call the transportation department and get it approved by them, then they can call the school to let the teacher know of the bus change. This way the bus driver and aid will know exactly who will be on that route. They need a check in and out list on each bus daily. This will prevent forgetting a child on the bus, it will let them know exactly who was on the bus..etc. I still think we are spoiling parents here in Mathis. I was driving in front of the event center and had to stop because the bus was dropping off a little girl at the Chicken place!!! OMG and she was little so I'm sure she goes to the elementary school across the street!!!!!