Petition: Later MCPS school start times

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:So many decisions are made based on free transportation. Snow days, flooded roads, start times, end times. It’s ridiculous. We need to do away with school buses, boost the public buses and make decisions based on what’s best for our kids.

Seriously? We’re going to have public buses running through all the developments and cul-de-sacs of MoCo? Or are kids going to walk a mile out of their neighborhoods to get to the main roads?

Many areas don't have easy access to public transportation. The MCPS rule for HS is 2 miles regardless of the conditions. We have two major roads and few street have sidewalks. We have to drive back and forth. So, the early start is better to drop off before work.

That is incorrect. MCPS provides school bus service to a lot of high school students who live less than 2 miles from the high school.

And mostly when there are major roads to cross.

We have two major roads in several different directions. Multiple more other directions. No crossing guards.

We live a little less than 2 miles from our high school and our kids have to cross a multi lane state route without a crossing guard (although there are traffic lights) and we don’t get bus service, despite families appealing to the school district. How major does a major road have to be for high school students who live less than 2 miles from their school to get bus service?

It depends on the area. B-CC kids who live across Connecticut Ave get school bus service. Wheaton kids and Einstein kids who live across Connecticut Ave are expected to walk.

There is Conn., Viers Mill, University, and Georgia for these kids. So, someone want them walking in the dark, not all housing areas have sidewalks, for up to two miles.

Yes, the kids walk, or take public buses.

Public busses don't go everywhere.

So if there aren't public buses for the kids to take, then the kids walk. If Connecticut Ave is safe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross, then it's also safe for B-CC HS kids to cross. If Connecticut Ave is unsafe for B-CC HS kids to cross, then it's also unsafe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross. So, which is it?

I don’t think it’s safe for any of them.

Which means that MCPS should have to spend even more money on school buses and school bus drivers, because the roads aren't safe. Which even further constrains MCPS's ability to adjust school start times.

I don’t want start times changed. It would mess up driving and activities for us. They should provide more bus service. Two miles is not all that close in the dark, rain, cold.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many decisions are made based on free transportation. Snow days, flooded roads, start times, end times. It’s ridiculous. We need to do away with school buses, boost the public buses and make decisions based on what’s best for our kids.

Seriously? We’re going to have public buses running through all the developments and cul-de-sacs of MoCo? Or are kids going to walk a mile out of their neighborhoods to get to the main roads?

Many areas don't have easy access to public transportation. The MCPS rule for HS is 2 miles regardless of the conditions. We have two major roads and few street have sidewalks. We have to drive back and forth. So, the early start is better to drop off before work.

That is incorrect. MCPS provides school bus service to a lot of high school students who live less than 2 miles from the high school.

And mostly when there are major roads to cross.

We have two major roads in several different directions. Multiple more other directions. No crossing guards.

We live a little less than 2 miles from our high school and our kids have to cross a multi lane state route without a crossing guard (although there are traffic lights) and we don’t get bus service, despite families appealing to the school district. How major does a major road have to be for high school students who live less than 2 miles from their school to get bus service?

It depends on the area. B-CC kids who live across Connecticut Ave get school bus service. Wheaton kids and Einstein kids who live across Connecticut Ave are expected to walk.

There is Conn., Viers Mill, University, and Georgia for these kids. So, someone want them walking in the dark, not all housing areas have sidewalks, for up to two miles.

Yes, the kids walk, or take public buses.

Public busses don't go everywhere.

So if there aren't public buses for the kids to take, then the kids walk. If Connecticut Ave is safe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross, then it's also safe for B-CC HS kids to cross. If Connecticut Ave is unsafe for B-CC HS kids to cross, then it's also unsafe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross. So, which is it?

I don’t think it’s safe for any of them.

Which means that MCPS should have to spend even more money on school buses and school bus drivers, because the roads aren't safe. Which even further constrains MCPS's ability to adjust school start times.

I don’t want start times changed. It would mess up driving and activities for us. They should provide more bus service. Two miles is not all that close in the dark, rain, cold.

What do you think they should cut, in order to provide even more bus service?

Also are you saying that typical high school students are incapable of walking 40 minutes one way when it's raining or chilly (it is rarely actually cold in Montgomery County)? Or riding a bike for 10-15 minutes, one way.

[Anonymous]

I agree the matter was settled years ago. The OP just can't seem to accept this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many decisions are made based on free transportation. Snow days, flooded roads, start times, end times. It’s ridiculous. We need to do away with school buses, boost the public buses and make decisions based on what’s best for our kids.

Seriously? We’re going to have public buses running through all the developments and cul-de-sacs of MoCo? Or are kids going to walk a mile out of their neighborhoods to get to the main roads?

Many areas don't have easy access to public transportation. The MCPS rule for HS is 2 miles regardless of the conditions. We have two major roads and few street have sidewalks. We have to drive back and forth. So, the early start is better to drop off before work.

That is incorrect. MCPS provides school bus service to a lot of high school students who live less than 2 miles from the high school.

And mostly when there are major roads to cross.

We have two major roads in several different directions. Multiple more other directions. No crossing guards.

We live a little less than 2 miles from our high school and our kids have to cross a multi lane state route without a crossing guard (although there are traffic lights) and we don’t get bus service, despite families appealing to the school district. How major does a major road have to be for high school students who live less than 2 miles from their school to get bus service?

It depends on the area. B-CC kids who live across Connecticut Ave get school bus service. Wheaton kids and Einstein kids who live across Connecticut Ave are expected to walk.

There is Conn., Viers Mill, University, and Georgia for these kids. So, someone want them walking in the dark, not all housing areas have sidewalks, for up to two miles.

Yes, the kids walk, or take public buses.

Public busses don't go everywhere.

So if there aren't public buses for the kids to take, then the kids walk. If Connecticut Ave is safe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross, then it's also safe for B-CC HS kids to cross. If Connecticut Ave is unsafe for B-CC HS kids to cross, then it's also unsafe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross. So, which is it?

I don’t think it’s safe for any of them.

Which means that MCPS should have to spend even more money on school buses and school bus drivers, because the roads aren't safe. Which even further constrains MCPS's ability to adjust school start times.

I don’t want start times changed. It would mess up driving and activities for us. They should provide more bus service. Two miles is not all that close in the dark, rain, cold.

What do you think they should cut, in order to provide even more bus service?

Also are you saying that typical high school students are incapable of walking 40 minutes one way when it's raining or chilly (it is rarely actually cold in Montgomery County)? Or riding a bike for 10-15 minutes, one way.

I teach MS students and several that live within the walking zone will just not come to school if the forecast shows it’s going to rain on their walk home. They definitely skip school when it’s raining in the morning. Their parents have already left for work so they can’t get a ride. No before care or even a supervised early morning spot for MS and HS age kids that could have hitched a ride with a parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many decisions are made based on free transportation. Snow days, flooded roads, start times, end times. It’s ridiculous. We need to do away with school buses, boost the public buses and make decisions based on what’s best for our kids.

Seriously? We’re going to have public buses running through all the developments and cul-de-sacs of MoCo? Or are kids going to walk a mile out of their neighborhoods to get to the main roads?

Many areas don't have easy access to public transportation. The MCPS rule for HS is 2 miles regardless of the conditions. We have two major roads and few street have sidewalks. We have to drive back and forth. So, the early start is better to drop off before work.

That is incorrect. MCPS provides school bus service to a lot of high school students who live less than 2 miles from the high school.

And mostly when there are major roads to cross.

We have two major roads in several different directions. Multiple more other directions. No crossing guards.

We live a little less than 2 miles from our high school and our kids have to cross a multi lane state route without a crossing guard (although there are traffic lights) and we don’t get bus service, despite families appealing to the school district. How major does a major road have to be for high school students who live less than 2 miles from their school to get bus service?

It depends on the area. B-CC kids who live across Connecticut Ave get school bus service. Wheaton kids and Einstein kids who live across Connecticut Ave are expected to walk.

There is Conn., Viers Mill, University, and Georgia for these kids. So, someone want them walking in the dark, not all housing areas have sidewalks, for up to two miles.

Yes, the kids walk, or take public buses.

Public busses don't go everywhere.

So if there aren't public buses for the kids to take, then the kids walk. If Connecticut Ave is safe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross, then it's also safe for B-CC HS kids to cross. If Connecticut Ave is unsafe for B-CC HS kids to cross, then it's also unsafe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross. So, which is it?

Each school area is analyzed individually. Different parts of the same road will have different levels of traffic volume, numbers of traffic lights and crosswalks, history of accidents, etc.

Connnecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase (apparently not safe for B-CC students) is more dangerous than Connecticut Avenue in North Kensington, Wheaton, and Aspen Hill (apparently safe for Einstein and Wheaton students)? Really?

According to the MCPS transportation dept, yes. It would be good to see the traffic data, but it wouldn't be surprising if the traffic volume increases the closer one is to the DC line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many decisions are made based on free transportation. Snow days, flooded roads, start times, end times. It’s ridiculous. We need to do away with school buses, boost the public buses and make decisions based on what’s best for our kids.

Seriously? We’re going to have public buses running through all the developments and cul-de-sacs of MoCo? Or are kids going to walk a mile out of their neighborhoods to get to the main roads?

Many areas don't have easy access to public transportation. The MCPS rule for HS is 2 miles regardless of the conditions. We have two major roads and few street have sidewalks. We have to drive back and forth. So, the early start is better to drop off before work.

That is incorrect. MCPS provides school bus service to a lot of high school students who live less than 2 miles from the high school.

And mostly when there are major roads to cross.

We have two major roads in several different directions. Multiple more other directions. No crossing guards.

We live a little less than 2 miles from our high school and our kids have to cross a multi lane state route without a crossing guard (although there are traffic lights) and we don’t get bus service, despite families appealing to the school district. How major does a major road have to be for high school students who live less than 2 miles from their school to get bus service?

It depends on the area. B-CC kids who live across Connecticut Ave get school bus service. Wheaton kids and Einstein kids who live across Connecticut Ave are expected to walk.

There is Conn., Viers Mill, University, and Georgia for these kids. So, someone want them walking in the dark, not all housing areas have sidewalks, for up to two miles.

Yes, the kids walk, or take public buses.

Public busses don't go everywhere.

So if there aren't public buses for the kids to take, then the kids walk. If Connecticut Ave is safe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross, then it's also safe for B-CC HS kids to cross. If Connecticut Ave is unsafe for B-CC HS kids to cross, then it's also unsafe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross. So, which is it?

Each school area is analyzed individually. Different parts of the same road will have different levels of traffic volume, numbers of traffic lights and crosswalks, history of accidents, etc.

Connnecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase (apparently not safe for B-CC students) is more dangerous than Connecticut Avenue in North Kensington, Wheaton, and Aspen Hill (apparently safe for Einstein and Wheaton students)? Really?

According to the MCPS transportation dept, yes. It would be good to see the traffic data, but it wouldn't be surprising if the traffic volume increases the closer one is to the DC line.

Don't look at the traffic data. Look at the crash data. MCPS is not making a data-driven decision here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many decisions are made based on free transportation. Snow days, flooded roads, start times, end times. It’s ridiculous. We need to do away with school buses, boost the public buses and make decisions based on what’s best for our kids.

Seriously? We’re going to have public buses running through all the developments and cul-de-sacs of MoCo? Or are kids going to walk a mile out of their neighborhoods to get to the main roads?

Many areas don't have easy access to public transportation. The MCPS rule for HS is 2 miles regardless of the conditions. We have two major roads and few street have sidewalks. We have to drive back and forth. So, the early start is better to drop off before work.

That is incorrect. MCPS provides school bus service to a lot of high school students who live less than 2 miles from the high school.

And mostly when there are major roads to cross.

We have two major roads in several different directions. Multiple more other directions. No crossing guards.

We live a little less than 2 miles from our high school and our kids have to cross a multi lane state route without a crossing guard (although there are traffic lights) and we don’t get bus service, despite families appealing to the school district. How major does a major road have to be for high school students who live less than 2 miles from their school to get bus service?

It depends on the area. B-CC kids who live across Connecticut Ave get school bus service. Wheaton kids and Einstein kids who live across Connecticut Ave are expected to walk.

There is Conn., Viers Mill, University, and Georgia for these kids. So, someone want them walking in the dark, not all housing areas have sidewalks, for up to two miles.

Yes, the kids walk, or take public buses.

Public busses don't go everywhere.

So if there aren't public buses for the kids to take, then the kids walk. If Connecticut Ave is safe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross, then it's also safe for B-CC HS kids to cross. If Connecticut Ave is unsafe for B-CC HS kids to cross, then it's also unsafe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross. So, which is it?

I don’t think it’s safe for any of them.

Which means that MCPS should have to spend even more money on school buses and school bus drivers, because the roads aren't safe. Which even further constrains MCPS's ability to adjust school start times.

I don’t want start times changed. It would mess up driving and activities for us. They should provide more bus service. Two miles is not all that close in the dark, rain, cold.

What do you think they should cut, in order to provide even more bus service?

Also are you saying that typical high school students are incapable of walking 40 minutes one way when it's raining or chilly (it is rarely actually cold in Montgomery County)? Or riding a bike for 10-15 minutes, one way.

I teach MS students and several that live within the walking zone will just not come to school if the forecast shows it’s going to rain on their walk home. They definitely skip school when it’s raining in the morning. Their parents have already left for work so they can’t get a ride. No before care or even a supervised early morning spot for MS and HS age kids that could have hitched a ride with a parent

Do you teach at a high-poverty middle school? There aren't a lot of middle schools in affluent areas where MCPS expects students to walk 1.5 miles. Most of the middle schools where MCPS expects students to walk that far are in low-income areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many decisions are made based on free transportation. Snow days, flooded roads, start times, end times. It’s ridiculous. We need to do away with school buses, boost the public buses and make decisions based on what’s best for our kids.

Really? Although my dc doesn’t take a bus —do you really see public buses taking on the liability of getting kids too and from school safety? Would your kid ride a metro bus? I don’t think so.

You haven’t taught your kids to ride the public buses or take metro on their own? Are you unaware that kids ride free with a card they get from their school? Public buses already gets kids to and from school safely.

All of my kids attended various magnet schools in MS and HS and were regularly getting themselves to activities after school on the public bus system before they could drive themselves. And in 8th grade they could all get themselves home if they had an after school activity and could take their usual school bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many decisions are made based on free transportation. Snow days, flooded roads, start times, end times. It’s ridiculous. We need to do away with school buses, boost the public buses and make decisions based on what’s best for our kids.

Really? Although my dc doesn’t take a bus —do you really see public buses taking on the liability of getting kids too and from school safety? Would your kid ride a metro bus? I don’t think so.

You haven’t taught your kids to ride the public buses or take metro on their own? Are you unaware that kids ride free with a card they get from their school? Public buses already gets kids to and from school safely.

All of my kids attended various magnet schools in MS and HS and were regularly getting themselves to activities after school on the public bus system before they could drive themselves. And in 8th grade they could all get themselves home if they had an after school activity and could take their usual school bus.

No, I don't teach my kids as I have no interest in them or me riding public transportation. Being in a magnet program is different as you choose that and you KNOW that they aren't offering transportation. We had no idea MCPS didn't offer transportation in HS. And, not everyone has easy access to public transportation. Nor, does it go where you need it to go. Could mine, sure. But, we'll drive them.

[Anonymous]

By Maryland State Law, schools need to be in session 6 hours. If MS and HS just eliminated the worthless 45 minutes of daily advisory, they could get 45 more minutes of sleep in instead of wasting pointless time in advisory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many decisions are made based on free transportation. Snow days, flooded roads, start times, end times. It’s ridiculous. We need to do away with school buses, boost the public buses and make decisions based on what’s best for our kids.

Seriously? We’re going to have public buses running through all the developments and cul-de-sacs of MoCo? Or are kids going to walk a mile out of their neighborhoods to get to the main roads?

Many areas don't have easy access to public transportation. The MCPS rule for HS is 2 miles regardless of the conditions. We have two major roads and few street have sidewalks. We have to drive back and forth. So, the early start is better to drop off before work.

That is incorrect. MCPS provides school bus service to a lot of high school students who live less than 2 miles from the high school.

And mostly when there are major roads to cross.

We have two major roads in several different directions. Multiple more other directions. No crossing guards.

We live a little less than 2 miles from our high school and our kids have to cross a multi lane state route without a crossing guard (although there are traffic lights) and we don’t get bus service, despite families appealing to the school district. How major does a major road have to be for high school students who live less than 2 miles from their school to get bus service?

It depends on the area. B-CC kids who live across Connecticut Ave get school bus service. Wheaton kids and Einstein kids who live across Connecticut Ave are expected to walk.

There is Conn., Viers Mill, University, and Georgia for these kids. So, someone want them walking in the dark, not all housing areas have sidewalks, for up to two miles.

Yes, the kids walk, or take public buses.

Public busses don't go everywhere.

So if there aren't public buses for the kids to take, then the kids walk. If Connecticut Ave is safe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross, then it's also safe for B-CC HS kids to cross. If Connecticut Ave is unsafe for B-CC HS kids to cross, then it's also unsafe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross. So, which is it?

I don’t think it’s safe for any of them.

Which means that MCPS should have to spend even more money on school buses and school bus drivers, because the roads aren't safe. Which even further constrains MCPS's ability to adjust school start times.

I don’t want start times changed. It would mess up driving and activities for us. They should provide more bus service. Two miles is not all that close in the dark, rain, cold.

What do you think they should cut, in order to provide even more bus service?

Also are you saying that typical high school students are incapable of walking 40 minutes one way when it's raining or chilly (it is rarely actually cold in Montgomery County)? Or riding a bike for 10-15 minutes, one way.

As a responsible parent, no I don't want my kids walking in the dark, cold, rain, or snow crossing multiple major roads and other streets with no sidewalks. And, no, I don't want them riding their bikes that distance with a heavy backpack, their instruments, and more. You must live in a nicer cushy area but for us, it looks very different.

So, we will drive them and moving it later would really mess up things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:By Maryland State Law, schools need to be in session 6 hours. If MS and HS just eliminated the worthless 45 minutes of daily advisory, they could get 45 more minutes of sleep in instead of wasting pointless time in advisory.

We only had advisory daily in MS, not HS. I think it's school-specific but advisory was the worst. One of my kids kept getting marked absent as the teacher didn't like the answers as they weren't politically correct enough and he didn't identify the proper way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:By Maryland State Law, schools need to be in session 6 hours. If MS and HS just eliminated the worthless 45 minutes of daily advisory, they could get 45 more minutes of sleep in instead of wasting pointless time in advisory.

Your school has 45 minutes of advisory per *day*? Ours is once a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many decisions are made based on free transportation. Snow days, flooded roads, start times, end times. It’s ridiculous. We need to do away with school buses, boost the public buses and make decisions based on what’s best for our kids.

Seriously? We’re going to have public buses running through all the developments and cul-de-sacs of MoCo? Or are kids going to walk a mile out of their neighborhoods to get to the main roads?

Many areas don't have easy access to public transportation. The MCPS rule for HS is 2 miles regardless of the conditions. We have two major roads and few street have sidewalks. We have to drive back and forth. So, the early start is better to drop off before work.

That is incorrect. MCPS provides school bus service to a lot of high school students who live less than 2 miles from the high school.

And mostly when there are major roads to cross.

We have two major roads in several different directions. Multiple more other directions. No crossing guards.

We live a little less than 2 miles from our high school and our kids have to cross a multi lane state route without a crossing guard (although there are traffic lights) and we don’t get bus service, despite families appealing to the school district. How major does a major road have to be for high school students who live less than 2 miles from their school to get bus service?

It depends on the area. B-CC kids who live across Connecticut Ave get school bus service. Wheaton kids and Einstein kids who live across Connecticut Ave are expected to walk.

There is Conn., Viers Mill, University, and Georgia for these kids. So, someone want them walking in the dark, not all housing areas have sidewalks, for up to two miles.

Yes, the kids walk, or take public buses.

Public busses don't go everywhere.

So if there aren't public buses for the kids to take, then the kids walk. If Connecticut Ave is safe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross, then it's also safe for B-CC HS kids to cross. If Connecticut Ave is unsafe for B-CC HS kids to cross, then it's also unsafe for Wheaton HS and Einstein HS kids to cross. So, which is it?

I don’t think it’s safe for any of them.

Which means that MCPS should have to spend even more money on school buses and school bus drivers, because the roads aren't safe. Which even further constrains MCPS's ability to adjust school start times.

I don’t want start times changed. It would mess up driving and activities for us. They should provide more bus service. Two miles is not all that close in the dark, rain, cold.

What do you think they should cut, in order to provide even more bus service?

Also are you saying that typical high school students are incapable of walking 40 minutes one way when it's raining or chilly (it is rarely actually cold in Montgomery County)? Or riding a bike for 10-15 minutes, one way.

As a responsible parent, no I don't want my kids walking in the dark, cold, rain, or snow crossing multiple major roads and other streets with no sidewalks. And, no, I don't want them riding their bikes that distance with a heavy backpack, their instruments, and more. You must live in a nicer cushy area but for us, it looks very different.

So, we will drive them and moving it later would really mess up things.

DCUM's gonna DCUM.

But yes, you do have the choice of driving your kids to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many decisions are made based on free transportation. Snow days, flooded roads, start times, end times. It’s ridiculous. We need to do away with school buses, boost the public buses and make decisions based on what’s best for our kids.

Really? Although my dc doesn’t take a bus —do you really see public buses taking on the liability of getting kids too and from school safety? Would your kid ride a metro bus? I don’t think so.

You haven’t taught your kids to ride the public buses or take metro on their own? Are you unaware that kids ride free with a card they get from their school? Public buses already gets kids to and from school safely.

All of my kids attended various magnet schools in MS and HS and were regularly getting themselves to activities after school on the public bus system before they could drive themselves. And in 8th grade they could all get themselves home if they had an after school activity and could take their usual school bus.

No, I don't teach my kids as I have no interest in them or me riding public transportation. Being in a magnet program is different as you choose that and you KNOW that they aren't offering transportation. We had no idea MCPS didn't offer transportation in HS. And, not everyone has easy access to public transportation. Nor, does it go where you need it to go. Could mine, sure. But, we'll drive them.