Do FCPS let children off the bus if no adult is waiting? (Elementary)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At my bus stop FCPS, it has been the norm for kids 1st grade and up to walk themselves to the bus stop and back home. I'm the only parent at the bus stop almost every day. My kids are 2nd and 4th grade. My 2nd grader does not want to stand at the bus stop without me yet.

We did also have a kid who skipped K by doing K in preschool and entering 1st grade at 5 with an October birthday. The bus driver would not let her off without a parent for awhile. I noticed yesterday though that she was left off without her parent at the bus stop, so I guess that has since changed maybe because she is now 6. She gets off with her older sib who is in 3rd grade.

I may also keep being the only parent next year. The bus driver has said she appreciates that I'm there. Sometimes I have to tell the kids not to run in the street, not to throw rocks in the street, not to fight about digging in the gravel on the side of the road. The boys like to dig a hole so the bus will get stuck in it, and the girls like to fill it in. And sometimes this disagreement results in pushing and shouting matches. So anyway, it seems like it's a good idea for at least one adult to be there. We also sometimes get text messages that buses are running late or not servicing certain routes while standing at the bus stop.

Dear helicopter mom: Congratulation on knighting yourself THE sole parental authority at the bus stop. I bet you are proud of how many children fights, arguments, injuries or even deaths (and stuck buses!) have been prevented thanks to your quick thinking and superior parenting skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my bus stop FCPS, it has been the norm for kids 1st grade and up to walk themselves to the bus stop and back home. I'm the only parent at the bus stop almost every day. My kids are 2nd and 4th grade. My 2nd grader does not want to stand at the bus stop without me yet.

We did also have a kid who skipped K by doing K in preschool and entering 1st grade at 5 with an October birthday. The bus driver would not let her off without a parent for awhile. I noticed yesterday though that she was left off without her parent at the bus stop, so I guess that has since changed maybe because she is now 6. She gets off with her older sib who is in 3rd grade.

I may also keep being the only parent next year. The bus driver has said she appreciates that I'm there. Sometimes I have to tell the kids not to run in the street, not to throw rocks in the street, not to fight about digging in the gravel on the side of the road. The boys like to dig a hole so the bus will get stuck in it, and the girls like to fill it in. And sometimes this disagreement results in pushing and shouting matches. So anyway, it seems like it's a good idea for at least one adult to be there. We also sometimes get text messages that buses are running late or not servicing certain routes while standing at the bus stop.

Dear helicopter mom: Congratulation on knighting yourself THE sole parental authority at the bus stop. I bet you are proud of how many children fights, arguments, injuries or even deaths (and stuck buses!) have been prevented thanks to your quick thinking and superior parenting skills.

Thanks for the kudos. I will mention that one day, there was also a policeman at the bus stop too because the neighborhood has asked over and over again for help in reducing the speed of drivers through the neighborhood. So glad you are ok with your kid at the corner while many cars go driving by at high speed while the kids fight over who is making a hole or not making a hole. In FCPS, 6th graders go on the same bus with K students. This can cause some issues. I'm glad I can be there to help out and will gladly accept my crown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter has special needs and is 13 and they will not allow someone younger than 18 to get her off the bus. I had no idea until I needed to have my 15yr get her off the bus in 6th grade and they wouldnt do it. Silly...he watcher her all the time, but cant walk her from the bus stop? Said I have to basically jump through all kinds of hoops in order for him to ever be able to do it.

I had this issue with my 4th grade son. We had been walkers, but with a sibling going via bus to another school, he was able to get permission to attend as well. In any case, there was one day I did not get back in time for the bus. I was surprised they did not drop them (3rd and 4th). The bus driver was kind enough to circle back (I was literally 1 minute late). I asked why she was not able to drop them. She told me there was a note on his file that he was to be released only to a parent. I had not requested that, but she said sometimes it is automatic (I mentioned his IEP). I called transportation, who told me to call the school. In the end, the bus driver just asked me to write a note that he was allowed to be dropped off. I usually am there, just because, but my kids can walk home for sure.

[Anonymous]

I waited at the bus stop in 1st grade, and started letting him walk home alone in 2nd. I usually go to the top of my driveway where I can watch him get off the bus, cross the street and walk to our house (and by staying in front of my house I don't have to wake up his younger, napping brother.) None of the kids linger at the stop after getting off, so I'm not worried about all the issues PP mentioned that are seemingly rampant in her neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you let your kid play in the yard without you there watching? Same answer...

Elementary age? Of course. My 2nd and 4th graders walk to school without a parent. They enjoy the freedom, socializing with friends along the way, etc.

[Anonymous]

In my APS neighborhood most of the kids up to 5th grade have a parent at the stop in the mornings. I have 3rd and 5th graders and sometimes I have them walk without me because I'm not ready in time to walk them and it's no big deal to me but I know that they will be one of the few without a parent. Next year I'll have a K student as well so I'll be walking them regardless.