Bus dropped off Kindergartners at bus stop when parent was not there
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
NP here: I spoke to my child's school and to the bus depot when my young elementary kid was dropped off on our busy street without any adult in the vicinity (an activity had been cancelled but parents weren't informed.) I was told very clearly that MCPS bus drivers are NOT responsible for ensuring that children are met by a responsible adult or caretaker. They gave me some rationale involving kids who live in apartment buildings, but my guess is that it's just a practical reality for a system with 150k+ students. Think about it - how can each bus driver, who probably drives multiple routes in bus traffic, be held responsible for making sure each kid gets to their parent? In practice, people often say their bus driver is wonderful and makes a point never to leave kids solo, but you can't count on that. I don't know why there is a PP spewing anger at anyone who points this out. Have contingency plans. Talk to your child about what to do if s/he gets dropped off with no parent nearby. Know your neighbors/fellow parents and get their contact info. Have the phone number for the school in your contacts - they can radio the bus drivers to find a child who gets on the wrong bus or figure out where the bus actually is. Don't assume you can be checked out; sorry OP, but forgetting a half day?? |
Anonymous
Correct. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/transportation/rules/riding.aspx#q3 Parents/guardians are responsible for children once they arrive at the afternoon bus stop and should plan to meet the bus or arrange for a caretaker or other responsible adult to accompany the children safely home or to the child care provider. Parents/guardians should instruct their children where to get off the bus and familiarize them with unique aspects of the bus stop or landmarks so that, prior to the first day they will ride the bus, the children will clearly know the stop where they should get off the bus. Please note: Bus operators do not know all of the possible caretakers who might be picking up a student on a particular day, and are unable to match each child with a specific adult. When students get off the bus, they are entirely in the care of the parent/guardian or other caregiver. They are on their own to walk home if no parent/guardian or caregiver is present. Please provide specific information for your children to become independent riders by making sure they know exactly where to get off the bus as well as alert the bus operator, before getting off the bus, if they do not see a parent/guardian or familiar person who normally meets them at the bus stop. Once alerted, the bus operator will return the student to the school, or take other steps to ensure the child’s safety. If you usually meet your child at the bus stop and cannot make it on a given day, call the school well before dismissal time and ask that your child be kept at the school to be picked up rather than placed on the bus at the end of the school day. This is an emergency back-up plan that should be used only in those rare circumstances when you are unexpectedly and unavoidably delayed in making it to the bus stop. Keep the school phone number in your cell phone or other convenient place should an emergency arise. Establishing a buddy plan for your child with an older sibling or classmate is advised, in case your child arrives at the afternoon bus stop without meeting you or another caregiver. Bus schedules are approximate and may vary due to traffic, weather conditions, and student changes. It is best to be present at the bus stop ahead of the normal arrival time. The kindergarten teacher will discuss bus safety in detail during the first week of school. Following safety rules when boarding, riding, and getting off the bus is very important. Reviewing safety rules with your child will help to ensure bus safety. If you want your child to be supervised by an adult while walking home from the afternoon bus stop, we recommend the following: -Plan for you or another caregiver to be at the bus stop ahead of the normal drop-off time, as the bus may arrive early on any given day. -Plan in advance for another adult who is normally at the bus stop to care for your child if you are not there. -If you have an emergency and cannot make it to the bus stop, call the school well before dismissal time, so your child will be kept at school for pickup rather than put on the bus. Be sure you always have the school phone number with you in case of the emergency. -Be sure your child knows and can identify the proper bus stop and understands not to get off the bus at any other stop. -Arrange for an older student “buddy” to walk home with your child, or allow your child to stay at the older student’s house until you are able to pick up your child. Be sure to work with the other student’s parent/guardian when arranging this plan. -Be sure your child knows to tell the bus driver, before getting off the bus, if something is “not right.” This includes a parent/guardian or caregiver who is usually at the stop not being visible; missing the stop; or getting on the wrong bus and not recognizing any stop or familiar adults. Once the student gets off the bus, only you can ensure your child is appropriately supervised. |
Anonymous
| I never had any expectation the driver would ensure my child was met. How would they know? What if a friend or other relative came one day..would a note be required? Photo id? The busses would take 2x as long. |
Anonymous
|
We’re mcps too. Last week a neighbor forgot about the half day, and the bus driver would not let the kindergartner and her second grade sibling off the bus until the parent was called and came for pick up.
|
Anonymous
| So what is the mcps bus policy? If they don't care, it is your duty to take care of your kid. I don't understand what do you want? Btw, my dd's bus drivers never allowed even in middle school that a kid gets on a wrong bus. As for the story about the kid that got on a bus and exited on a wrong stop because he never normally goes on a bus, his name was probably on the bus list. Why are you expecting good work from someone if you are unable to do the good work yourself? Such as pick up your kid from the bus stop? Plus what do you actually want, for the bus full of kids to wait half an house while someone calls you? The lack of responsibility on your part while demanding responsibility from someone else is just staggering hypocrisy! |
Anonymous
|
It's a human based system, and humans make mistake. And, some humans are better at some systems than others. It worked out okay this time.
Work with your child and create a plan. Have a back-up plan with another parent. This is a perfect example of it takes a village that's a good thing in this situation. |
Anonymous
Yes, it was someone else's fault. The school systems. They are responsible for the children when they are in their care. A school bus is still part of the school system. |
Anonymous
Yes, take the school system to court. That is your job as a parent. Make the school system abide by the laws that everyone else has to follow. Children are not legally allowed to be left to roam around at that age. That's the law. It applies to the school system. Get a lawyer, sue them. That is your job as a parent. |
Anonymous
That's not the law. A judge will not care that the Board of Education tries to ignore the law and spew out pages and pages of garbage. John Vigna is in jail for 40 years because the Board of Education tried to make up their own law. It did not work. Now they are being sued as well. The mafia made up their own laws too, that didn't make them the law of our land. |
Anonymous
Thank you for that example of a MCPS bus driver that knew the law and kept in mind her/his responsibility for children in her/his care. |
Anonymous
What law? |
Anonymous
The school system announced a 1/2 day and brought the child to the correct stop. The child is "roaming" because the parent is not there. But WOW..the child knew what to do! I would hope all families have a contingency for a late pickup..traffic..weather..forgot. My bus stop always had some parents there and they would have made sure a child who was usually met was ok. Maybe they need to go to a neighbors. Maybe they need to ask another parent at the stop to call someone. There are many option. |
Anonymous
|
A good reason all kids should be given instructions and walk the route before school starts!
Back in the 70s, I walked about 3/4 of a mile (1/4 of it with a friend who lived closer to school) in kindergarden. It was a great but sometimes terrifying experience and definitely gave me some grit. It was a very UMC neighborhood and these are a few of the memorable moments during the walk (grades K-4). In K, my friend and I were flashed by an old guy driving by in a car who stopped and showed us his you-know-what. We had to talk to the principal and our parents came down to school for that one. I remember we shrieked and ran. There was a yappy dog that barked at me every morning from across the street midway and I was terrified he was going to run over and bite me (we had a mellower, bigger dog). I'm pretty sure I convinced my dad to talk to the owners about keeping it inside during school walking times. One time a different dog chased my friend and I (days when dogs roamed without fences!) and we jumped on a parked car to "save" ourselves. The scariest was when my mom (to 5 kids, I was oldest) forgot school got out early. I walked home and my mom wasn't there so I started crying and walked back toward school. About a block from home, a kindly lady noticed and helped me out. My mom had never coached me on what to do if no one was there. Honestly our door was never locked but I believe that day it was for some reason. |
Anonymous
| MCPS bus policy has been posted. It is clear. Stop making excuses. |
Anonymous
The child is roaming because the adult in charge did not make sure the child was safe. Children are all different and are not old enough to be responsible for their safety. Not all can walk, talk, communicate, reason, ask questions, map out routes or call uber at that age. That's why they are considered children and adults are in charge. |