Will/did your kindergartener take the school bus?

[Anonymous]

There are older children "patrols" and staff who help escort the younger kids to/from the bus. She'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

No. Never wanted my kids to deal with the social scene on the bus. We drop off on our way to work. No biggie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Never wanted my kids to deal with the social scene on the bus. We drop off on our way to work. No biggie.

Can you elaborate. I have no idea what this means for a bus full with elementary school kids.

[Anonymous]

Hi Op, I completely understand your question. I was in the same place last year. Finally I decided to let my DD to take the bus, mainly because I wanted her to have that social experience and because she also has younger siblings, who I did not want to have to take along for the ride. I was very nervous in the first few days, but it has been fine. DD loves riding the bus with her friends in the morning now. The buses have patrols and the school has all staff members on deck in the first days to ensure every child gets to where they need to be. Just let her take the bus. She will enjoy it and it will be much easier for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. We specifically picked a house to buy that was less than a mile from the elementary school because we wanted our kids to be able to walk.

It depends on the school. At my DC's elementary school, they lost their crossing guard a number of years ago, so everyone takes the bus- even if they live across the street. A parent/guardian may walk the children to school, but the children cannot walk to school alone (with very few exceptions for the students whose houses abut the school and do not have to walk on any road to get to school.)

We bought in a neighborhood that used to be a walking neighborhood, now it is a bussing neighborhood. We are about a half mile from the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Never wanted my kids to deal with the social scene on the bus. We drop off on our way to work. No biggie.

Can you elaborate. I have no idea what this means for a bus full with elementary school kids.

Not the PP but buses can be a hellish place

[Anonymous]

so everyone takes the bus- even if they live across the street. A parent/guardian may walk the children to school, but the children cannot walk to school alone (with very few exceptions for the students whose houses abut the school and do not have to walk on any road to get to school.)

Wow what a waste. Parents seriously can't walk their kids such a short distance to the school?

[Anonymous]

I would drive him if I can. Why wouldn't you? Buses are vile and older kids set bad examples.

[Anonymous]

I will let younger DC take the bus from day one of K although I know from older DC that there can be incidents on the bus -- being hit, hitting when somehow provoked, older kids being bullies. The patrols aren't really old enough to know what to do and take charge, and the bus driver is busy driving.

[Anonymous]

it's just parental laziness to put a young kid that age on a bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it's just parental laziness to put a young kid that age on a bus.

The school very strongly encourages the use of the buses. The school doesn't want extra traffic coming to the school and potentially endangering walkers, not to mention the traffic snarls and buses having trouble getting through. Not laziness at all to use the bus. The bus requires a commitment to get up earlier and be out the door sooner, more waiting around and uncertainty. It's not laziness to be standing out in freezing rain waiting for the bus to drop off at the end of the school day. It's about following the wishes of the school and doing what is best for the community as a whole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's just parental laziness to put a young kid that age on a bus.

The school very strongly encourages the use of the buses. The school doesn't want extra traffic coming to the school and potentially endangering walkers, not to mention the traffic snarls and buses having trouble getting through. Not laziness at all to use the bus. The bus requires a commitment to get up earlier and be out the door sooner, more waiting around and uncertainty. It's not laziness to be standing out in freezing rain waiting for the bus to drop off at the end of the school day. It's about following the wishes of the school and doing what is best for the community as a whole.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would drive him if I can. Why wouldn't you? Buses are vile and older kids set bad examples.

Is this true of your older kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would drive him if I can. Why wouldn't you? Buses are vile and older kids set bad examples.

This has not even remotely been my 3rd grader's experience on the bus. Fifth graders take great pride in making sure the bus rides are safe and calm.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/on-safety-patrol-students-take-pride-in-protecting-others/2013/09/08/a575a276-1658-11e3-804b-d3a1a3a18f2c_story.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Never wanted my kids to deal with the social scene on the bus. We drop off on our way to work. No biggie.

Can you elaborate. I have no idea what this means for a bus full with elementary school kids.

Not the PP but buses can be a hellish place

The 5th graders beat up my K. WTF?