Posted: 1 years ago

Rachel and I were talking about putting our kids on the school bus.  Nolan rides it because he begged me to and I caved.  I hate not knowing what goes on- and I know there has been problems with bullies etc. What are your thoughts on the school bus?  Do you think there should be another adult beside the driver?

Posted: 1 years ago

I thin k there should be another adult besides the driver!

I would be ok with B riding the bus if it was like k-2 and 3 - 5 but I dont want my babies riding with big kids....

Posted: 1 years ago

My kids have been riding the school bus since they started school in kindergarten. They never have had any problems with the kids on the bus. Some school districts have bus monitors. I know the district here has them on certain buses where there have been trouble. I think if you speak with the bus driver about your concerns the driver will keep an eye out for your children. I know I use to when I was a driver years ago. When I had little ones like Kindergartener or under 4th grade they would sit up front near me so that I can keep an eye on them. I would also have seating assignments.

Posted: 1 years ago

I personally believe ALL school busses should have bus moniters  We had them I was one in Italy and while my kids rode busses most school yrs till hs   minus major troubles they hated it . Heck I wasnt fond of it as a rider in school myself by HS lol..

 Honestly  all this talk of seat belts  higher seats  etc..   OK Discuss it.. BUT  for Real bus safety  Monitors  are BEST   .. Protects kids and Drivers from nonsense .. helps prevent accidents ..  and paying the rider/monitor cheaper than rebuilding all new fleets for government

Posted: 1 years ago

I do think that bus monitors are an excellent idea! 

I am in a wonderful position with regard to the bus, though.  Our next-door neighbor (also our pastor and good friend) is the bus driver for our kids.  The bus stop is right at the end of our driveway, and they are one of the very last stops (last on and first off).  He also keeps the younger kids in the front, and I know that he does not tolerate bad language/behavior from any of the kids.  I feel VERY blessed knowing that I can trust my kids' safety with him.  But I do agree that bus monitors are a necessity.  It's just not possible to keep a close eye on that many kids and the road at the same time.

Posted: 1 years ago

Bus Monitors would be a great idea!  Probably not in the school budget, but a great idea all the same. 

My kids ride the bus.  We have had a problem or two over the past 5 years, but nothing that hasn't been immediately taken care of after speaking with the driver and the school.  My eldest son rides a handicap bus and those buses have aides. 

I initially worried about my kids riding the bus.  They were very excited and so I thought we would try it.  Luckily, in our district, the K-2 students have their own buses in the afternoon.  Those grades get out an hour earlier than grades 3 thru 8.  That also made me feel better.  Now my youngest son is in 3rd grade.  He seems to do great taking the bus, and since he has older siblings at home, he is used to being around older kids.  In other words, I am hoping he is smart enough not to do something stupid that another older kid would tell him to do! LOL!  That kind of stuff happens you know!

Posted: 1 years ago

When I was in grade school, they had "bus patrols".  The buses were full and it was grades 1-8.  The bus patrols were usually 8th graders.  There were 2-3 per bus and they would stand in the aisle and keep an eye on things.  The teachers picked who would be a patrol for the school year, so it was usually the kids who had stayed out of trouble.  Amazingly, all the kids listened to them.  It must have been the bright orange belt and badge they got to wear.   

Posted: 1 years ago

That bus patrol is a great idea.  I think it is important that there are options for the driver if something comes up, so that they can focus on driving.

When I was in HS and riding the bus, which was typically an hours ride, there was not monitor.  There were a few times that things got unruly and the driver would pull over and wait for kids to calm down.  Of course, there were usually enough students that didn't / couldn't miss or be late for class that they would get the ones acting up under control.