So frustrated with FCPS

[Anonymous]

My objection is that they are getting the info to us so late. I don't think it's reasonable to tell parents they can't have a bus schedule for 1) a new middle school for rising 7th grader with 2) a completely revamped school schedule due to bell changes until 3) September 2 for a school year that starts September 8. Do other people really not have multiple children, commutes, drop offs and child care to coordinate?

Obviously I'm the only one who thinks this is such late notice as to be objectionable. Good to know....

If they did give you a schedule now, it would be wrong given that they don't have all their student numbers yet, bus drivers hired and trained, etc. Would you rather get something that's wrong, and then have to adjust to that?

[Anonymous]

learn to drive your kids until it's figured out, parenting isn't predictable

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, OP, most MS and HS have their big open house type things that last week before school starts. Kids get their lockers, you can buy gym uniforms, etc. You obviously have to go on vacation when it's best for your family but if you choose to skip this event, you need to be willing to do the stuff on your own within the rules that work for the school. I can't think of any school who would publish a bus schedule before they send out the beginning of year packets. They have not been finalized, especially with the changes this year. Your neighbors will be your best resources.

You don't have to rely on the neighbors. You really don't. The school will get you the info, just don't expect to get any info earlier than anybody else.

My objection is that they are getting the info to us so late. I don't think it's reasonable to tell parents they can't have a bus schedule for 1) a new middle school for rising 7th grader with 2) a completely revamped school schedule due to bell changes until 3) September 2 for a school year that starts September 8. Do other people really not have multiple children, commutes, drop offs and child care to coordinate?

Obviously I'm the only one who thinks this is such late notice as to be objectionable. Good to know....

If this is your biggest fish to fry, you lead a charmed life. This type of thing isn't even on my radar screen. I am too busy solving and dealing with the issues of real life.

Uh, yeah. Actually it does matter if your kid shows up to the bus stop 5 or 20 minutes late. And it does matter if your kid gets on the right bus in the morning and if your kids' schedule is right.

If your kids' schedule isn't right and you choose not to attend the open house they will handle it on the first day of school. It happens every year and all shakes out. The bell schedules are published so for the first few days err on the side of caution when it comes to the bus stop and be there earlier than you think you need to. Also, there are likely plenty of kids in your neighborhood riding the MS bus so not likely yours will get on the wrong bus. Even if there are kids going to an out of boundary school with bus service that bus won't likely come at the same time as yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, OP, most MS and HS have their big open house type things that last week before school starts. Kids get their lockers, you can buy gym uniforms, etc. You obviously have to go on vacation when it's best for your family but if you choose to skip this event, you need to be willing to do the stuff on your own within the rules that work for the school. I can't think of any school who would publish a bus schedule before they send out the beginning of year packets. They have not been finalized, especially with the changes this year. Your neighbors will be your best resources.

You don't have to rely on the neighbors. You really don't. The school will get you the info, just don't expect to get any info earlier than anybody else.

My objection is that they are getting the info to us so late. I don't think it's reasonable to tell parents they can't have a bus schedule for 1) a new middle school for rising 7th grader with 2) a completely revamped school schedule due to bell changes until 3) September 2 for a school year that starts September 8. Do other people really not have multiple children, commutes, drop offs and child care to coordinate?

Obviously I'm the only one who thinks this is such late notice as to be objectionable. Good to know....

If this is your biggest fish to fry, you lead a charmed life. This type of thing isn't even on my radar screen. I am too busy solving and dealing with the issues of real life.

Uh, yeah. Actually it does matter if your kid shows up to the bus stop 5 or 20 minutes late. And it does matter if your kid gets on the right bus in the morning and if your kids' schedule is right.

If your kids' schedule isn't right and you choose not to attend the open house they will handle it on the first day of school. It happens every year and all shakes out. The bell schedules are published so for the first few days err on the side of caution when it comes to the bus stop and be there earlier than you think you need to. Also, there are likely plenty of kids in your neighborhood riding the MS bus so not likely yours will get on the wrong bus. Even if there are kids going to an out of boundary school with bus service that bus won't likely come at the same time as yours.

Regardless, you still obviously need to know what time the child is supposed to get on the bus. Dropping your kid off 20 minutes late on your way to work would be a bad start to the school year.

Of course the school gets you that info beforehand. But it is usually the week before school starts, not several weeks beforehand.

[Anonymous]

I can see being stressed out if you have a younger elementary school child who you have to supervise out the door. A seventh grader can handle this on his own, so I don't get the stress as far as your morning schedule goes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, OP, most MS and HS have their big open house type things that last week before school starts. Kids get their lockers, you can buy gym uniforms, etc. You obviously have to go on vacation when it's best for your family but if you choose to skip this event, you need to be willing to do the stuff on your own within the rules that work for the school. I can't think of any school who would publish a bus schedule before they send out the beginning of year packets. They have not been finalized, especially with the changes this year. Your neighbors will be your best resources.

You don't have to rely on the neighbors. You really don't. The school will get you the info, just don't expect to get any info earlier than anybody else.

My objection is that they are getting the info to us so late. I don't think it's reasonable to tell parents they can't have a bus schedule for 1) a new middle school for rising 7th grader with 2) a completely revamped school schedule due to bell changes until 3) September 2 for a school year that starts September 8. Do other people really not have multiple children, commutes, drop offs and child care to coordinate?

Obviously I'm the only one who thinks this is such late notice as to be objectionable. Good to know....

If this is your biggest fish to fry, you lead a charmed life. This type of thing isn't even on my radar screen. I am too busy solving and dealing with the issues of real life.

Uh, yeah. Actually it does matter if your kid shows up to the bus stop 5 or 20 minutes late. And it does matter if your kid gets on the right bus in the morning and if your kids' schedule is right.

I thought you needed a ballpark estimate before vacation. If you want it down to the minute ask around the neighborhood when you get back, or drive him the first day. NO BIG DEAL. really, NO BIG DEAL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, OP, most MS and HS have their big open house type things that last week before school starts. Kids get their lockers, you can buy gym uniforms, etc. You obviously have to go on vacation when it's best for your family but if you choose to skip this event, you need to be willing to do the stuff on your own within the rules that work for the school. I can't think of any school who would publish a bus schedule before they send out the beginning of year packets. They have not been finalized, especially with the changes this year. Your neighbors will be your best resources.

You don't have to rely on the neighbors. You really don't. The school will get you the info, just don't expect to get any info earlier than anybody else.

My objection is that they are getting the info to us so late. I don't think it's reasonable to tell parents they can't have a bus schedule for 1) a new middle school for rising 7th grader with 2) a completely revamped school schedule due to bell changes until 3) September 2 for a school year that starts September 8. Do other people really not have multiple children, commutes, drop offs and child care to coordinate?

Obviously I'm the only one who thinks this is such late notice as to be objectionable. Good to know....

If this is your biggest fish to fry, you lead a charmed life. This type of thing isn't even on my radar screen. I am too busy solving and dealing with the issues of real life.

Uh, yeah. Actually it does matter if your kid shows up to the bus stop 5 or 20 minutes late. And it does matter if your kid gets on the right bus in the morning and if your kids' schedule is right.

If it matters to you so much, curtail the vacation with grandma and come home early to be able to attend the open house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can see being stressed out if you have a younger elementary school child who you have to supervise out the door. A seventh grader can handle this on his own, so I don't get the stress as far as your morning schedule goes.

It's the first day at a big new school and maybe the first time that a kid has ever ridden a bus before. There will be new faces, new staff, new building, new routine, new expectations (Middle school vs elementary school). We are talking about a 12 year old, not a little adult. Yes - the kid can probably do it all by himself. But it's nicer if Mom/Dad can help with the transition to a new school. And certainly knowing where the bus stop is and when the bus comes is part of that adjustment.

You miss out when you don't attend Open House. It really does feel like throwing your kid into the water and telling them to "Swim!". Luckily, most do swim and there are lots of folks at the school who will help out new students on the first day. But don't expect anyone at the school to hold your hand as a parent. They won't.

[Anonymous]

Seems like a lot of worry for something that won't even occur for another three weeks.

[Anonymous]

The buses never run to schedule the first week of school anyway, so the schedule is only a very general guideline of when to expect the bus.

+10000

They usually run test runs before school starts. As PPs have said, there are lots of reasons that the bus schedules aren't ready--including the enrollment, hiring new bus drivers, etc. I understand the frustration, etc. I also was always sure to make sure that my kids were present at the "pre-season" open houses. Mine are grown now, but going to the school to meet the teacher and see who was in your class, etc. was a major part of the "back to school". I understand that might not suit every family, but it is an important part of the process--and, usually, a fun part for the kids.

[Anonymous]

My child rides a handicapped bus to a special ed program. The bus driver usually calls us sometime the Sunday or Monday before school starts. It is maddening b/c I am juggling two other school schedules (and no bus for either of the other two) and I absolutely have to be home for dropoff and pickup. So I get the frustration with the bus schedules. It is hard to juggle several kids trying to go several places and parents' work schedules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child rides a handicapped bus to a special ed program. The bus driver usually calls us sometime the Sunday or Monday before school starts. It is maddening b/c I am juggling two other school schedules (and no bus for either of the other two) and I absolutely have to be home for dropoff and pickup. So I get the frustration with the bus schedules. It is hard to juggle several kids trying to go several places and parents' work schedules.

Yes, but OP is talking about a non special needs seventh grader riding the same bus as the majority of the other kids in the neighborhood.

OP, on a side note, for your kid's sake please don't take him to the bus stop unless it is raining that day. Let him walk the whole way by himself. No one, I mean no one, will have their mommy with them that morning.

The MS bus stop is where you start making the break to let your kid become independent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, OP, most MS and HS have their big open house type things that last week before school starts. Kids get their lockers, you can buy gym uniforms, etc. You obviously have to go on vacation when it's best for your family but if you choose to skip this event, you need to be willing to do the stuff on your own within the rules that work for the school. I can't think of any school who would publish a bus schedule before they send out the beginning of year packets. They have not been finalized, especially with the changes this year. Your neighbors will be your best resources.

You don't have to rely on the neighbors. You really don't. The school will get you the info, just don't expect to get any info earlier than anybody else.

My objection is that they are getting the info to us so late. I don't think it's reasonable to tell parents they can't have a bus schedule for 1) a new middle school for rising 7th grader with 2) a completely revamped school schedule due to bell changes until 3) September 2 for a school year that starts September 8. Do other people really not have multiple children, commutes, drop offs and child care to coordinate?

Obviously I'm the only one who thinks this is such late notice as to be objectionable. Good to know....

Not in middle school because most middle schoolers are able to get themselves to the bus stop by themselves. So, you plan a routine that works for you and your other commitments, and your middle schooler leaves when they leave, whether that's before, or after you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child rides a handicapped bus to a special ed program. The bus driver usually calls us sometime the Sunday or Monday before school starts. It is maddening b/c I am juggling two other school schedules (and no bus for either of the other two) and I absolutely have to be home for dropoff and pickup. So I get the frustration with the bus schedules. It is hard to juggle several kids trying to go several places and parents' work schedules.

Yes, but OP is talking about a non special needs seventh grader riding the same bus as the majority of the other kids in the neighborhood.

OP, on a side note, for your kid's sake please don't take him to the bus stop unless it is raining that day. Let him walk the whole way by himself. No one, I mean no one, will have their mommy with them that morning.

The MS bus stop is where you start making the break to let your kid become independent.

Elementary age kids walk to the bus stop in my neighborhood. Are there places where people are still walking their 4th, 5th and 6th graders to the bus stop?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The buses never run to schedule the first week of school anyway, so the schedule is only a very general guideline of when to expect the bus.

+10000

They usually run test runs before school starts. As PPs have said, there are lots of reasons that the bus schedules aren't ready--including the enrollment, hiring new bus drivers, etc. I understand the frustration, etc. I also was always sure to make sure that my kids were present at the "pre-season" open houses. Mine are grown now, but going to the school to meet the teacher and see who was in your class, etc. was a major part of the "back to school". I understand that might not suit every family, but it is an important part of the process--and, usually, a fun part for the kids.

We took advantage of the drop in vacation rental prices and missed the open houses. It's definitely a trade off. You either get 2 weeks (at the reduced price) at a non crowded beach OR you go to the open house. We chose the beach. But we did miss out on the open houses for the kids. We did always attend the back to school night as parents.