What Would You Do If This Happened to Your Child?

I think the school principal is the person you need to talk to first. That is information he/she really needs to know. I teach for Minneapolis Public Schools and we have a transportation person who can directly contact the head of transportation if we ever have a problem with a bus driver. I am in complete agreement with you -- the driver never should have let the kids off of the bus at the wrong stop. Sounds like they need more/better training. As a teacher and a parent, I am worried about my kids riding the bus when they start school...I know that a class of 25 kids keeps me more than busy -- I can't imagine having more kids (40,50+) to supervise AND staying focused on the road! I see a sign in my neighborhood that says BUS DRIVERS WANTED - no experience necessary. Yikes! Keep us posted!

You are absolutely not out of line. It is first and foremost the job of the parent to ensure their child's saftey at all times.

I would fist call the principle to make them aware, mentioning my intention to call the busing company. After getting the number from that person, I would then follow-up with the busing company and let them know you and the other neighborhood parents are watching this driver closely. If this was not the first offense, I would demand the driver be let go.
Good luck with your decision!
DMB
Oakdale

I have a friend that is a little older than me, she had her kids right out of high school. I waited to have my kids, hers are grown now and mine are 12 and 7!
Anyway, I asked her if there was anything that she would have done different with her kids. She told me that she would have stood up for her kids more. If you don't stand up for them no one else will. It was the best advice!
I would not stop until you get answers! I have had a couple things happen and I went to bat for my kids and didn't back down until I was satisfied. They also need to see that if you are upset about what happened that you follow thru.
When my son was in second grade I overheard the boys talking about how it was ok to steal because you never got in trouble for it. I talked to them and learned that an older boy had been stealing things out of the younger boy's lockers. When they told the teacher and told him who it was, they were told that they shouldn't have brought the stuff to school in the first place. I went to the principle, school board and the superintendent until I got answers! Believe me, these boys watched and listened until the right thing was done. They came home from school every day and gave me updates! So if they know that you are upset, they will watch to see what you will do.
Go for it - don't wait for it to happen again!

I think I would also call the police station and let them know. I would let them know the day, what time and where. Just in case the school board does nothing you have the compaint lodged with someone else, so they can not say that they hadnt heard of it.

I don't think you're overreacting...I think I would probably feel the same way in your shoes. I agree with others; do what you need to until you get answers.

I would lodge a complaint with the mn department of education. I bet they would like to hear about that one. they are located on hwy 36 in roseville. Also I would call Kare 11 & have them do a story on it. No scholl district like bad publicity. Good luck

My kids aren't schoolage yet... but i think that you did the right thing and if nothing changes, send more letters, or go in person. Honestly we aren't going to have our children ride the school bus 'cause of things like this and other things that can or have happened to others on the bus. I hope all goes well.

I would deffinately push this with the school and the parents...I would also take it to the news stations. This is absolutely rediculous....even if my child wasn't on the bus I would still be upset.

This makes me glad that where my daughter's bus stop is, there are concerned parents that have made complaints about bus drivers.
Nothing like this, more like the bus driver being mean to the kids, yelling at them to the point that a child would pee their pants.
With the current bus driver, my daughter refuses to ride the bus in the mornings. At first I thought it was just her being oversensitive (b/c she can be) but two more parents have spoken up and asked me about the driver.
With me it is not a big deal to drive her to school b/c we don't live that far and her bus stop is actually by my parents house, so either I would turn left to take her to the bus stop or turn right to take her to school. I just wanted to give her a few minutes of socializing with her friends before school.
Good Luck and keep an eye out for the few bus drivers that, in my opinion, shouldn't be driving the bus.

Kudos to you for not only standing up for your own child but any other one that could come into contact with this driver. You are absolutely not out of line - the driver was endangering the safety of those kids.

The bus company is being negligent as well if they allow this kind of behavior to continue. Whatever "rights" this bus driver has surely cannot surpass that of the safety of the children!

You are not out of line at all. Keep hounding the bus company until you get a response. I would also ask to meet with the principal of your school face to face and let him know how upset you are by this incident. I would even contact your school district's superintendent and keep a record of all your correspondence so that if anything like this happens again you'll have evidence of an on-going problem.

HI T.,

You definitely need to have that driver terminated and make sure that he/she can never drive school children again. That incident showed recklessness and improper judgement in caring for children. Bus drivers are caretakers for our children, they DRIVE them to and from school. I don't let just anybody transport my child in a vehicle. I totally understand where you are at and do not think you're going overboard. Children were put into harms' way and nobody seems to be doing anything about it. Good for you for taking a stand. Go to the top, girl! I'm behind you 100%. Good Luck. Let us all know what happens.

I would talk with the principal. Drop by and demand someone talk to you about it. You need reassurance as a parent that your child will get to school or home from school safely. I remember the news story last winter when the little kindergarten student was dropped at the wrong stop and was picked up by a citizen driving by. It was cold that day and he could have died. If you don't get a reponse, the news might get a prompt response. Good luck. Thank you for advocating for the students. What school is it?

Hi - something similar happened in our neighborhood but it was only one child. The parents ended up contacting the county with the complaint before they heard anything about it. The driver was disciplined.

I think apathy is the worst malady of this country, but that is a subject for another day. You should call your local representative and register a complaint and I think going to the news station is not a bad idea. They are always looking for stories. Good luck?

I would try emailing and calling only for a couple more days. That is a serious issue and could only get worse. If they don't return calls or emails, then yes I would go to the news also. If he was drinking that is putting your child and the other children in danger, and you wouldn't want to put your child on that bus everyday knowing that the driver has been drinking and could possibly get into an accident.

I'd go to the school's District office asap!

That is beyond unacceptable and downright dangerous. I would keep complaining until you get a response. If e-mail isn't working I would call. How about the school principal? I would even go to the Superintendent's office. I think that is appalling. Keep at it--it is our job to protect our children. You are not out of line.

That exactly why me kids donnot ride the bus, but I do question the 5th graders saying the driver in a car said the car driver smelled of smoke and alcohol if the driver is in a car.

What school district was this in?

If the school or bus company doesn't do anything I would go to the news.

Wow! You bet I would make a big deal! As a mom of a kindergartener who is terrified of riding the bus in the first place, I can't even imagine what this would have done to my son! You have done everything I can think of, outside of calling the news stations. With the apathy that everyone is having in this situation, I would call them. That is an outrage! I hope your child is ok and not having huge issues with the bus now! Good luck, let us know how it turns out!