Wait a minute - as a teacher you don't sound like you care about our kids at all. No one is saying you are the parent or caregiver but would you just leave a child wandering like that? I wouldn't and I'm not someone who decided to go into child education.

Anonymous wrote:There were no other kids who got of at that bus stop. Just my child. Alone. A 5 year old child. On a street.

School IS responsible for my child until one of the parents gets her.

As a teacher, I am disturbed by your statement.

I am NOT your child's parent. And if you're slacker ass isn't home by a certain time, that's your fault - and not the responsibility of the school to provide FREE daycare for your kid.

What is WRONG with you?

Our bus driver doesn't leave 5 year olds by themselves. They are returned to school and the parent is called.

My son rides the bus with his older sister. So we're good to go, as she's always with him in case one of us is running late.

I thought this was the case with all kindergartners.

Anonymous wrote:There were no other kids who got of at that bus stop. Just my child. Alone. A 5 year old child. On a street.

School IS responsible for my child until one of the parents gets her.

No, you are responsible for your child. You knew the time the bus was coming. You could have made arrangements with a neighbor or family close by. That was an epic parenting failure and is neglectful. When my nighbors run late, very rare, they call me and I meet the bus. Kids know to come to my house if mom isn't home. You always have a back up. Or call the school. Do something beyond complain and act as if it is not your problem if you are late.

Anonymous wrote:

Re-read what I said: "Now, if you had a catastrophic emergency, that's different."

how does the bus driver know if it's a real emergency or not?

OP, if this is Montgomery County you should complain. Their policy is that kindergartners are NOT let off the bus without an adult present. Not sure about other systems.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing, I mean nothing, is more important than being there for your kid. Nothing. Now, if you had had a catastrophic emergency, that's different. If you knew you were going to be late, you should've called the school and/or a trusted neighbor to meet Larla at the bus stop.

What if I was in the hospital unconscious??? They would just let my child off and go wonder the streets?

Re-read what I said: "Now, if you had a catastrophic emergency, that's different."

Let this be a lesson. You can't count on ANYONE but yourself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People. This is a FIVE year old. Would you want your five year old sent wandering home by herself?

Well not today's pull up wearing baby five year olds. 20 years ago kindergarteners walked to and from school alone.

OP you are negligent and this is all your fault. School is not your babysitter. Next time try to keep up with your schedule.

I think "negligent" is a strong word here. But, yes, it's the parent's fault for not getting home on time and not having a contingency plan in place. Time for a conversation with the child about what to do if parent isn't there at bus drop off, e.g. walk home, play in the backyard if mom isn't home yet or go to a neighbor you know or have a spare key available somewhere so he can get in the house, whatever plan you want to put in place. Sometimes things get screwed up. Child will feel more confident if she knows what to do in that situation.

OP said it was "one block" -- I would assume the 5 yr old is familiar with that block. Walking home is not the same as wandering lost in an unfamiliar area. I would have no issue with my 5 yr old walking one block in our suburban neighborhood.

Oh my gosh- these are horrible, mean responses. Yes, absolutely be on time and be responsible, but unforeseen things can happen.

The school should not drop off a five year old alone.

Anonymous wrote:There were no other kids who got of at that bus stop. Just my child. Alone. A 5 year old child. On a street.

School IS responsible for my child until one of the parents gets her.

If you knew you were running late why didn't you call? I'm sure the lady at the nail salon would have dialed for you if your nails were wet.

What happens if no one picks up a child from school and it's 6 o'clock? Do they just set him free?

There were no other kids who got of at that bus stop. Just my child. Alone. A 5 year old child. On a street.

School IS responsible for my child until one of the parents gets her.

Anonymous wrote:People. This is a FIVE year old. Would you want your five year old sent wandering home by herself?

Well not today's pull up wearing baby five year olds. 20 years ago kindergarteners walked to and from school alone.

OP you are negligent and this is all your fault. School is not your babysitter. Next time try to keep up with your schedule.

People. This is a FIVE year old. Would you want your five year old sent wandering home by herself?

Anonymous wrote:Why is it their problem? Did you even tell them you couldn't be there, or did you expect the bus driver to go ahead and take her in, change her diaper (Pampers goes up to size 7 now!) and make her a sippy of diluted juice while the other kids wait on the bus for you to show up?

The kids are supposed to stay on the bus and come back to the school if the parents are not present at the stop.