How long is your child on the school bus?

[Anonymous]

Our new bus schedules are out and my children will be on the school bus 55 minutes each way! Seems too long to me; I wondered if others have their kids commute such a long time.

[Anonymous]

thats crazy; what school system?

[Anonymous]

My 5th grader is at a FCPS GT center that dismisses at 3:55, she arrives home around 4:45 most days, but there have been a few occasions where it was as late as 5:15.

[Anonymous]

That would happen at a AAP center b/c kids are coming from many different base schools. Most elementary schools would be 20-30 mins tops.

However, when I was growing up, the bus ride was always an hour. Just the way it was. It won't kill your child.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is a specialty school. But the school is only 12 - 15 minutes away! No it won't kill my child to be commuting 2 hours each day. But I sure woudln't enjoy that kind of commute!

[Anonymous]

So your kids must be the first picked up and the last dropped off? Maybe you could figure out a carpool schedule with other parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 5th grader is at a FCPS GT center that dismisses at 3:55, she arrives home around 4:45 most days, but there have been a few occasions where it was as late as 5:15.

One of my kids would go crazy spending that much time on the bus every day. How far away is the GT center from your house?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So your kids must be the first picked up and the last dropped off? Maybe you could figure out a carpool schedule with other parents.

Yes. I guess I'm just spoiled because last year it was the reverse -- last picked up and first dropped off, so his commute was only 20 minutes, which seems reasonable.

Not too many parents with whom to carpool unfortunately. But I might check around.

[Anonymous]

30 minutes (Elem. School). Too long, I think, b/c we're just about 3/4 mile from the school...but the route is very convoluted. Considering just driving them this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:30 minutes (Elem. School). Too long, I think, b/c we're just about 3/4 mile from the school...but the route is very convoluted. Considering just driving them this year.

How big is the school's walk zone? That's ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

I've known kids in middle and high school who needed to catch their bus at 5:45am with a 7:20 school starting time.

[Anonymous]

10-15 mins. School is 2-3 miles away. They arrive about 20 mins before school starts.

[Anonymous]

Wow, that seems excessive. I'd definitely ask around about carpooling, or is there any way you can drive DC yourself? At least one way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Just the way it was. It won't kill your child.

I don't really think that's the point. I just figure there are better ways for my DC to spend time than sitting on a school bus.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes there is another spot on the same route that might be a block or two farther walk but 15 mins later in the bus route if the route is very twisty. Might be easier than driving to school..