Following the school bus/meeting bus riding kids at school on the 1st day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just take my child to school the first day, and then she starts riding the bus the next day (this is how it's done where I live, I don't know anyone who follows the bus).

This is what seems to happen in our neighborhood school.

[Anonymous]

I was a teacher. I don't recall anyone doing this. But, it would be very disruptive to have parents trying to take pictures while they are being ushered into the building. And, especially with K, there is always the chance that a child will start crying when he sees his mother.

[Anonymous]

No time to follow the bus. I'm off to a kid free breakfast and trip to Target!

[Anonymous]

Thanks, OP, for asking this one. I have a rising kindergartener who will be riding the bus and while I probably could manage to get to her FCPS elementary school before her bus, I think it would be pretty hard to identify her from all the other hordes of kids getting off the buses. My sister in Kentucky always took her kid to her classroom when she was in those early elementary school years and was asking if I was going to go to the school the first day. I was wondering if that was an actual thing. Glad to hear from others that it generally isn't and I can just head to work after she gets on the bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our ES has a breakfast for parents on the first day, but they don't let us see the kids lol. It is just an opportunity for parents to meet.

Same here. At Claremont they offer a coffee & donuts in the library for new Kindergarten parents on the first morning. But they don't want parents hanging out in the hallways, or walking the kids all the way to their classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks for the thoughts. So it’s the norm here apparently and last year I did not know that. There’s brunch for the parents upon arriving at the school and in general it seems the neighbors all look forward to this.

TBH do whatever you feel comfortable doing. It's your child. Don't worry so much about what an internet message board does or doesn't do.

[Anonymous]

I did with kid #1. Timid, shy, overwhelmed (new to area), open house was unhelpful.
Didnt bother with kids #2 and #3 (plus, they had each other and by the time kids 2 and 3 were in ES they had been there enough they were familiar with the school).

[Anonymous]

Please do not follow the bus to school. There is already enough traffic on the road. Take some photos before you leave home and at the bus stop.

Allowing your child to get off the bus and go to the classroom without you there will build confidence. Let your child have this moment. It's not about you.

Just stay home.

[Anonymous]

Doing this is so 8-10 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Did it with kid 1 in K. Never again school parking lot is an absolute madhouse that day. Bus forever!

[Anonymous]

Bizarre.

[Anonymous]

We're way past this stage, but I distinctly remember one wacko mom that did this. Last week she took her kid to college and was still treating him exactly the same way.

[Anonymous]

No. The teachers will get your kid to the right place without any help. If there's a kindergarten parent meeting just take your time and slowly drive to school, park, and attend the meeting. You don't need to follow the bus.

[Anonymous]

No - never. Schools are prepped for first day of school - teachers, administrators, bus drivers all ready to get kids where they need to go. Your kid doesn’t need you showing up to hand hold and teachers don’t need or want you there either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our ES has a breakfast for parents on the first day, but they don't let us see the kids lol. It is just an opportunity for parents to meet.

Same here. At Claremont they offer a coffee & donuts in the library for new Kindergarten parents on the first morning. But they don't want parents hanging out in the hallways, or walking the kids all the way to their classroom.

At Mount Eagle, there are also coffee and donuts for parents on the first day. They call it the “Boo Hoo - Yahoo Coffee.” We are encouraged to walk our kids to class every.single.day. It’s one of my favorite things about the school.