I wish we made a more concerted effort for pedestrian friendly streets - I see kids in PG who have to walk where there aren't even sidewalks (by a huge road, not some back street.) Our howard elementary school is too far to walk, not magnet - I think this neighborhood was redistricted for crowding. I scouted if we could bike but see at least 3 points with no shoulder OR sidewalk...I don't think my kids are good enough bikers for that in rush hour.

I understand the need for hazard busing of students who live very close to school, since the streets around the school are considered unsafe.
On the other hand, isn't there a way to make those streets safer? Isn't it healthier for children to walk to school? We walk to school, crossing those unsafe streets (yes, the bus stops outside our door, but it's just 2 blocks) and with just a little alteration, the streets would be safer for all:
1. Eliminate right-turn on red in school zones;
2. Lower the speed limit;
3. Give pedestrians a head-start in the crosswalk (called "Lead Pedestrian Indicator" lights--basically the pedestrian gets a green light or walking person sign while the traffic light stays red for cars) and/or
4. Improve signage and slow down the cars.
I like walking my child to school--it's a nice time for us in the morning. Such a shame that so many children are packed onto buses to travel short, walkable distances. And all this busing must be expensive.

Anonymous wrote:At our MCPS school, the principal has advocated AGAINST additional police or crossing guards - on the basis that kids who live 2 blocks away are safer taking the bus!!! I don't understand it either. We now walk but have to traverse a dangerous busy intersection without a crossing guard.

PP, this is called "hazard busing". See here, for example: http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/state/bestpractices/schoolbuscuts

I have heard that MCPS policy is that you can either get a school bus OR you get a crossing guard, but you can't get both; on the other hand, I have also heard of at least one school that got both. So maybe try again? Perhaps go around the principal to the school safety unit of the MC police.

http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/poltmpl.asp?url=/content/pol/districts/chief/communityservices/SchoolSafetySection.asp

Anonymous wrote:That was the intent of having neighborhood schools. That ES students could walk to the schools. We have 8 ES closer to our home but we get bused to another ES.

Crazy boundaries drawn to suit the whims of the politicians...

Boundaries are drawn so test scores won't be out of whack. If they were drawn in a perfect circle some schools would test at the bottom of the barrel. When they draw boundaries they are careful to include a disadvantaged townhouse or apartment complex for every school.

That was the intent of having neighborhood schools. That ES students could walk to the schools. We have 8 ES closer to our home but we get bused to another ES.

Crazy boundaries drawn to suit the whims of the politicians...

We walk and we live 2 blocks from the school. In fact, my entire neighborhood walks. I don't think anyone buses unless they are bussed in for the magnet program.

At our MCPS school, the principal has advocated AGAINST additional police or crossing guards - on the basis that kids who live 2 blocks away are safer taking the bus!!! I don't understand it either. We now walk but have to traverse a dangerous busy intersection without a crossing guard.

Again, it comes down to liability. What if the kid gets run over walking to the bus-stop or slips on the icy sidewalk.

All these things are in place to protect both the kids as well as MCPS from litigation.

In our neighborhood there are three different busses for the elementary school. Probably a total of 10 stops or so.

Agree with the PP. Our bus stops three times within a five block area. The kids would be fine if they had to walk three or four blocks, instead of just one or two. It would be way more efficient.

I think the county could also save by requiring bussed students to walk up to the max amount that the county sets for walking to school. IN my pretty small neighborhood there are I think 3 or 4 bus stops for the ES. I love it for my sake but find it a bit crazy that there are kids that live "too close" to school to qualify for the bus but those that get to bus have to barely walk at all to get to their stop.

Yeah, but safety first, you know!

Here's a blog article about walking to school in Montgomery County:

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/20002/walking-to-school-in-montgomery-gets-a-little-safer/

It really is ridiculous how many buses MCPS has to run to take kids a few blocks, because it's not safe for them to walk.