Kindergarteners and the School Bus

[Anonymous]

For those of you with kindergarteners, did you let them ride the schoolbus? My district is half-day kindergarten so my kid would ride the bus with the big kids in the morning and then just kindergarteners when returning home midday. Morning route takes 8 minutes, afternoon is 20 minutes. We live about an 8 minute drive/20 minute walk from school.

I've been picking up/dropping off my kid for preschool so I'm happy to keep doing it for Kindergarten. Also, kindergarten just seems SO SMALL to be on the big school bus. But maybe the school bus is fine and I'm overthinking this. What do you guys think?

[Anonymous]

Mine took the bus in K and liked it. But he also came home having learned the F word from an older kid on the bus. He repeated it at school and we had to have a talk.

[Anonymous]

It was the best part of the day for my kids. They LOVED the school bus. Never had issues.

[Anonymous]

All 3 of my kids rode the bus. Aside from overcrowding (3 to a seat sometimes) there were never any issues.

[Anonymous]

I think that riding the bus is fine for K. I would definitely do it if the other choice is driving.

But walking to school is a really lovely way to spend a little time with your kid, and start the day with fresh air and sunshine. I really loved walking my kid to school. So, if walking him those 20 minutes is an option, even just some days, I'd vote for that.

Luckily, with public school buses you can just make the decision day by day. Raining? On the bus you go! Early work meeting? Climb on!

Coming home, it's better to be consistent so they don't confused and do the wrong thing.

[Anonymous]

Yes of course. It’s the best part of the school day.

[Anonymous]

My youngest took the bus into the city, the school was about 2.5 miles but the ride was about 40 minutes due to traffic and lights.

[Anonymous]

My kindergartner was spit on by another student on the bus and told that he was going to shoot her. I wish I was lying.

[Anonymous]

My kid took the bus in K, it was great. A kind 5th grader from our stop took DC under his wing and was big brother on the bus. It was fine.

[Anonymous]

My kid loves the bus. Maybe there is a fifth grade patrol who can help him/her get on. I think it would have been pretty hard to get her to go to school if we did drop off line.

[Anonymous]

My son didnt take the bus until 3rd grade (due to living where we walked until then) and within a short period of time knew all kinds of curse words, insults, and "hot gos" as he puts it. Definitely the wild west. I was fine with it and think its part of childhood, but also he was 8 not 5.

[Anonymous]

Usually the kindergartners are seated up front and kept away from the chaos. I think riding the bus builds independence (have had two kids survive the experience).

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t. Behavior can be terrible on the school bus with practically zero adult around to correct or intervene. The bus driver is driving and focused on that task, as they should be.

[Anonymous]

Mine do and will because we are a k-2 (not in dc area anymore). I’d prob have a different take if it was k-5 though

[Anonymous]

I wasn't allowed to ride the bus until 1st grade. I prolly wouldn't put my kid on the bus in K if it was easy enough for me to walk or drive instead. But plenty of people do it and it's fine.

I agree though, once I started riding the bus, I learned all kinds of worldly things.