This past week, I had to go through a painful situation with our school's bus transportation system. My daughter's bus was overcrowded from day one on the first pickup (three adult-sized and over adult-sized students were asked to sit three to a bench on the bus and virtually every bench was taken in this manner). It was clear that the bus was operating in an unsafe manner. It was also clear that unlike some neighborhoods in this area, that the occupants of this bus have little to no other means by which to attend school. At our new school, many students have their own cars and ride to school--even though their neighborhoods secure their "own" busses with transportation with the argument that if all the kids in the neighborhood took the bus, it would be full. Perhaps fair, but some of my discussions with others about our particular situation have included references to the "type" of student on my child's bus--those that have only one way to get to school--the bus.
So it went from bad to worse, with me calling as far up as the County's superintendent to lodge an official complaint that the transportation department was not taking action on a safety issue, especially when the majority of busses arriving at the school could have as few as 10 kids on a bus--again, a social divide that is apparent from the moment my child and the other children observed as they arrived at school on day one.
I prevailed in the end--our bus load was relieved of 28 third-seat riders and they merged with one undercapacity bus. Imagine 28 students in additional to an already full bus, crammed in. To make matters worse, the school opted to pull my child out of class to discuss it with her--yup, the new freshman at a school where she knows a fraction of the students there was pulled into the mix. And the principal and the Assistant Principal for the school have yet to respond to my phone requests about the entire affair.
So disappointed today and yesterday from the amount of time I had to insist on the safety measures being followed. Regardless, my daughter seems to be navigating ok so far. For a school that touts it "classy" approach as a school, I've found the phrase reserved for the students who have so many options to get to school, just not ours on my bus.
So, I took a photo of a bus with my phone yesterday and used the mirror effect to reflect my torn emotions. I'm exhausted from calling all the way up the latter to prevail, but at what cost? I'm probably the "red flagged" parent now at a school, even though I knew I "did the right thing." So, a little down. A lot disappointed. And apparently, not classy.
Wow. BIG Kudos for your perseverance. I hope your daughter and you aren't "red flagged" because you did what is right.
The mirror effect makes an interesting image here.
oh you are full of class - isn't it appalling how long it takes, how many phone calls need to be made and how hard it is to get something that should be done , done! Mothers should be in charge - we know how to do it right!
Daryl, I proudly wear my designation as a PITA parent. I teach my soon-to-be minted teachers that, while they may call us "involved parents" to our faces, as we sit around a table in a mtg or are engaged in strenuous phone conversations, we understand that's short hand for PITA (or "red flagged" in your self description). I now introduce myself as an "involved parent" so new ppl I'm going to be interacting with comprehend, from the beginning, where I stand on the continuum of parents with whom they will be dealing. I think it's only fair they be forewarned! ;)
This is a great photo to reflect your feelings on the issue at hand. Your daughter could do worse than have a mom who serves as a positive role model, imo.
I love your kind of class! Keeping our children safe is paramount - good for you getting a second bus. Too bad the school officials in your area are so short-sighted!
I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I hope you don't think it's you that isn't classy! Sometimes you have to fight. Schools are so busy, they can overlook the obvious. My sister-in-law is proud of her "insistence" of things throughout her daughter's school years. She would never have asked for anything that wasn't necessary. We had issues in middle school and became very good friends with the principal and staff. Same, really, with high school.
I'm so sorry you had such frustrations. I would say you are an example of class and courage. Good for you for doing what was right and making a difference for so many children.
Daryl, you know and I know that you did the right thing in a society where the 'right thing' is increasingly seen as an antiquated anachronism... but the 'right thing' will always be the right thing to do.
Good for you, Daryl -- a class act, I should add. I'm glad you prevailed. I can't imagine a bus that crowded could possibly be safe. I love your picture -- great use of the mirror effect!
You definitely did the right thing and your daughter is lucky to have you as a mom. Your photo really captures what you've gone through. And your story conveys the subtle ways in which schools do not treat students in equitable ways.
Thanks very much all for responding in such a nice way. I have really struggled with how this all went down, and I'm still really, really bothered by the way in which this matter was treated and handled. There is such an obvious disregard for so many people in the world, and unfortunately, I got to see this from my own school. To have my daughter called out too was just such an insane move (which the asst. principal defended adamantly when I finally had a phone conference with her). The histrionics in her voice reflected the defensive attitude I see at this school when it comes to privilege. When I was told that if I thought my child was on an unsafe bus, I should have driven her, I replied so acutely "I'm sorry, do you assume everyone just has a parent waiting around to drive their children to school? My husband and I have jobs, we have alternative means, but we have chosen to use our tax dollars for public transportation and to make sure the streets are clear of vehicular traffic; and might I add that the bus to which you are referring--well the majority of THOSE kids DON'T have alternative transportation, so I'd be careful about your assumptions regarding your school population and focus on the fact that the bus to which we are referring is stuffed to the gills with adult-sized teens--all of which you have ignored for almost two weeks in terms of their safety." Ugh, my blood pressure is rising as I write. I have to let it go, but I am sooooooo disgusted with my conversation--totally and utterly disgusted. But the bus is operating at safe levels, so there you have it.
The mirror effect makes an interesting image here.
This is a great photo to reflect your feelings on the issue at hand. Your daughter could do worse than have a mom who serves as a positive role model, imo.
Thanks very much all for responding in such a nice way. I have really struggled with how this all went down, and I'm still really, really bothered by the way in which this matter was treated and handled. There is such an obvious disregard for so many people in the world, and unfortunately, I got to see this from my own school. To have my daughter called out too was just such an insane move (which the asst. principal defended adamantly when I finally had a phone conference with her). The histrionics in her voice reflected the defensive attitude I see at this school when it comes to privilege. When I was told that if I thought my child was on an unsafe bus, I should have driven her, I replied so acutely "I'm sorry, do you assume everyone just has a parent waiting around to drive their children to school? My husband and I have jobs, we have alternative means, but we have chosen to use our tax dollars for public transportation and to make sure the streets are clear of vehicular traffic; and might I add that the bus to which you are referring--well the majority of THOSE kids DON'T have alternative transportation, so I'd be careful about your assumptions regarding your school population and focus on the fact that the bus to which we are referring is stuffed to the gills with adult-sized teens--all of which you have ignored for almost two weeks in terms of their safety." Ugh, my blood pressure is rising as I write. I have to let it go, but I am sooooooo disgusted with my conversation--totally and utterly disgusted. But the bus is operating at safe levels, so there you have it.