My daughter is 3 1/2 and a little behind in her speech, & so qualified for the ECDEC program & will start preschool this Monday. We were told during her evaluation that the bus would not do house-to-house pickup, but would meet her at the closest corner. Since our house is only 20 ft from the corner, I didn't think it was a huge deal. But they just called me yesterday with the bus details, & it's almost 2 blocks away. I see this being a problem,especially in the winter, considering our babysitter will have to bundle up & schlep 3 kids to this bus stop twice a day. (She has a 2-year-old & we also have a 10-month-old son). Taking the double stroller is an option, only if the sidewalks are shovelled, but I'm not sure if that's the village of Palatine that does that, or each individual homeowner. (We just moved here a month ago). I spoke with the program director, & she said that this is the first year they're not doing house-to-house pickup, & they've rec'd a LOT of angry phone calls. She said it's totally out of her hands, that the district isn't even obligated to provide bussing for these programs, so she doesn't want to make waves. She said some determined parents have contacted Transportation, but nothing has come of it. I don't know what to do here. Has anyone else experienced this kind of scenario? Any advice?
Wow, I guess I should've been more specific! I have NO problem schlepping her, my babysitter does. There are several issues here, one being that the bus stop is 2 blocks down and ACROSS the street, which is dangerous with 3 small children, and that the bus is frequently late, so the little ones are outside sometimes for 25+ minutes. Driving them is not an option because she can't fit 3 carseats in her backseat. I've offered for her to take my van, but she won't. I do realize this is something we should've worked out upon her hire, but we didn't, and what's done is done. She's an amazing sitter who I wouldn't trade for the world, so I'm not putting my foot down over this. I've tried talking w/the bus drivers, but they said they could lose their job if they stop anywhere other than the designated spots. The suggestions about the IEP are helpful--we don't have one, we simply got her evaluated by the district. I will contact the school about that... And please don't misunderstand me, I'm beyond grateful for this program. It's a wonderful classroom she's in, with great opportunity, and we wouldn't have been able to afford preschool otherwise. I just feel that between my babysitter & the school, that I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, when all I want is this opportunity for my daughter. I'm trying to get creative here...does anyone know about after school care? Costs/times/locations? I'm thinking that may solve our problem. Thank you for all the advice!!
If it's such a big deal, why don't you just drive her? She's 3 1/2--why does she need to take a bus?
As the program director said, they're not even obligated to provide a bus for you. They're offering the option of a bus if you want it. Walking in the winter with three kids is really not that bad. That's what boots are for. :) And if it's really nasty outside, just drive.
Hi mom if you are not the only family with this problem maybe you and the other families should get together and solve this.Maybe one parent can walk the kids once a week or all the parent can hire someone to take the children, well get together and see how this can be solve. GoodLuck
I had the same problem and the district wouldn't budge. I just drive her back and forth now. Isn't a great solution but at least I feel that she is safer. Good luck!
I will give you a different perspective on this. My daughter did early childhood last year. She was picked up by the bus at our house at 1145am and school didn't start until 1230pm. I could drive to the school in 10 minutes. The afternoon bus picked them up at 3pm and she got home at 405pm. Nearly 2 hours on a bus a day is too much of a childs life, at that age they should be playing during that time. I would either have a sitter who was willing to take care of her transportation to and from or keep your current sitter and hire a neighbor to do the Taxi service so your child is not on a strange bus and possibly need to go to the bathroom or sleep on the bus.
Unfortunately, you are probably stuck. The director is right. With all the state budget cuts and problems they are lucky to be able to provide transportation at all. Do you have a neighbor that might be willing to either come watch the other kids for a few minutes or walk your daughter to the stop. You could offer to pay them or do some kind of exchange? Most likely unless you are in a townhome neighborhood the individual owners are responsible for shovelling.
It depends on your child's special needs too. If it's just a little speech delay, your lucky to be getting transportation at all. You need to refer to what was in your IEP. If you have further questions about it I would suggest you call ISBE and get the answer from them. Everybody has to schelp their kids either to the bus stop or all the way to school. Bundle the babies up and all. This is what being parent to kids is school is all about. You'll get used to it. And like the one response said, drive the car around the corner if your worried about the cold. Or have someone else in the neighborhood walk her to the bus.
I am a school bus driver, and drove ECE routes...for K and under you CAN DEMAND A HOUSE STOP!!!! Start with the transportation director of the school doing the transport, if the school that MUST transport gives you any problems call the district superintendants office, they should be able to handle it. It is ridiculous for the school to expect you or a sitter to go any further than the end of your drive for a "child" pick up when they are under 1st grade level!
Really!?! My best advice is to be thankful that it's ONLY TWO BLOCKS!!
LOL!
Not sure where you live but i thought with children with special needs had to be picked up at there home or the closest corner. I thought this was a state mandate. First i would contact the superintendents office. If nothing happens there contact the Illinois School transportation. I know that if you live in an apartment they will not stop right in front of your door there is just a single stop point. I think you need to inform the school of the problem and if you need to make an extra stop demand then do that.
Good Luck
Hi,
I do live in Palatine and have been trying to get some answers on the transportation issue. They changed all routes this year and eliminated the house to house stops. I've been trying to get in touch with Walt who is head of transportation ###-###-#### but he has not yet responded to calls or emails. I also have 2 kids in ECDEC at Conyers and feel for those kids they should have the house to house service, they are too young to try to get across streets and wait blocks away. Also, dealing with special needs kids can be changelling to get them ready on time. And they ARE obligated to give you transportation. I'm hoping that since there are so many complaining that they will do some changes so I would say to put your two cents in and see if they can change it to the closer corner. Good luck!
Project Choices may have some info for you on this - and you may keep them in mind for the future.
They work mostly with teachers to make sure kids with special needs are being well-served in the schools, but they devote half of their annual conference to parents, with particular focus on making sure parents are aware of and understand their/their kids' rights.
Hope this is a good resource for you,
http://www.projectchoices.org/
good luck.
Do a little more research. If I'm not mistaken, in some instances the speech therapist can come to your home, if that is something you would consider.
Is your child the only one at that stop? Will the bus drive past your house anyway? I ask this because sometimes it is easiest to just talk to the bus driver. The company will tell you no they can't do it but the bus driver can stop as long as the stop is not out of their way. If it isn't inconvenient they will often pick the kids up where it is best. If there are other kids at this stop then this probably won't work.Good luck
Early Childhood/Special Education programs are mandated and funded by the federal government - NOT the state, so if you are talking about early childhood special ed. (ECSE) nothing going on in the State of IL will effect any budgetary issues/constraints.
On the bus - ECSE has the kids taking the bus so they learn one more "routine". Delays are often indicators of other developmental issues, so they learn one more "how to" at an early age. The ECSE bus is smaller, and has a second person helping the students in route. ("Typical" school busses have a lot more kids, and only have a driver--no aid.) So there are many benefits. I have never heard of them not coming house to house (for EC). I would call the school and ask about what options you have.
We live 3 blocks from the school, and they came to our house (just for the routine). I would do occasional pick-ups (which meant me walking my 3 kids a few blocks) but I wanted him used to the bus routine.
Good Luck - EC is awesome - every child should be so lucky to get it!!!
I would contact a variety of places to let them know you mean business. It is above all dangerous for this situation. It shouldn't be too hard for those who want it to get picked up close to their homes. After all they did it before. I thought there was a state requirement that special needs children get picked up close to their house.And send the program director a carbon copy of everything. She needs to bone up and be a director. You might have to do some homework, but I'm sure no one wants trouble, they were just doing this to make it easy for someone. Who is that though? That is the question. Don't give up. Even try to find out who some of the other parents are and get together.
I know you live out of my area, but this might work for you. My husband is principal at a gifted school in Chicago. He has students from all over the city. When kids live too far to qualify for vbussing the parents hire private services.
Wow, we have a transportation department that is fairly flexible if you make your case with them and I would definately site child safety to them. If that is not an option for you, I drive my kids down to the bus stop when the weather is bad and sit in the car and wait with them. There is no reason to have a baby or any young kids standing out in inclement weather. Good luck to you.
Yes and no. I have a family day care and there have been many years that I have had to cart a few kids to a pre-school, school or kindergarten. None of them went to public schools with busing. This is the norm and almost every mother would have one or two younger kids in tow. When I realized that I was not the only one with such a burdensome task, I took it more in stride. You could try to find a high school or jr. high student in the neighborhood whose hours fit in and who would be willing to take your daughter to the bus stop and wait until she gets on. For this you would pay her a little money. Then the sitter would only have to bundle everyone up for the pick up. Or, the babysitter could pick her up at school, since then the little ones would be in a car and out of the elements and not waiting at a corner. I was 4 when my sister was in first grade and I was in kindergarten. I walked the 3 blocks to school by myself, since kindergarten was only 1/2 day. Believe me, it was very scary to do that as I had been warned about people in cars offering me candy and though it was a simple walk, I was afraid of getting lost. People don't do that sort of thing anymore, it was 61 years ago, and for good reason. You could also inquire about a family that passes by your house who would be willing to take your daughter and bring her home. You would pay her a little bit also.
I would say be greatful you are getting a free early childhood preschool for your child. If you had to pay for a preschool you would have to drive your child and pay tution. I know how hard it can be to schlep little ones, but it is part of parenting. They will be running on thier own before you can blink.
In Kenosha our EC programs are amazing. It would be well worth the incovince of going to the bus. My special Ed daughter was in a private anad EC program for pre school. I worked full time nad had to drive ehr to both. It was incovienant but so worth it. She had awesome teachers, both programs taught her skills and my empolyeers helped me to get her where she needed to be.
In Kenosha we shovel our own sidewalks, I would think Il would be the same.
After reading all the responses and being the mom of a very special needs girl, I would say going for speech is not that big a deal, and taking the bus is nice, but does she really need to learn routine, like a very special ed child would? Place ehr and the itty bitties in the car and wait at the bus stop or drive ehr, I am guessing the teachers would meet ehr at the door so you would not have to get out. I am an EA and this is what we do with the parents who choose to drive. In our area the kids that ride the little buses(Special Ed) get door to door service. The regular ed kids in the EC programs need to be driven. The speech only kids in our area have to drive themselves. Maybe it is how your childs IEP is written?
I have 2 kids in the EC program in District 126 & they've always picked up the kids at the house. I would read over her IEP, check with the school district & possibly call Easter Seals for an opinion or a clarification of the law as it applies. Easter Seals told me in the past that sometimes schools will deny things you're legally entitled to & you have to fight them, but I'm not sure what the law states as far as buses in regard to special ed.
I initially drove my 3-year-old to EC & the head of the special ed program called me & strongly encouraged the bus as they feel it's beneficial as far as the kids learning routine.
They should be picking her up at the end of your driveway. Does she have an IEP?
M. H.
In winter I would throw the little ones in the car so I did not need to bundle them up with coats and boots. Then we would wait at the stop in the car and he would get out when the bus was there. If you cannot get them to come to your driveway, this may work for you.
I know how your daycare provider is going to start stressing over this!! THere are easy solutions if you can't get it changed - a wagon made for gardening is great for hauling kids in the snow, or a sled would work too. But it's still a hassle!
Tell the bus company how many little ones have to be taken to the bus stop, how young this girl is, that she has speech issues and won't do well if something goes wrong, etc. DEMAND to have it switched or you will be calling the newspapers and TV stations and your congressman and the superintendent. Then if they dont' switch it, start making those calls. Play the "this tiny little kid has issues but has to walk 2 blocks and therefore her younger sibling and daycare provider's kids will have to as well in the winter" card. Keep making calls till someone cares.
I dont have time to read all the responces so hopefully I am not repeating somthing. I am not from Palatine but here in Rockford if you are a licensed in home sitter if you fax the transportation department your liscence they have to pick up in front of your house. They don't have another option.
There is, or at least there used to be when I taught special ed in the area, a cab company that that took standing orders to transport students. I know it sounds really odd, but a lot of school districts use them and the cabbies have background checks completed on them. If it sounds like something you'd do, call the public school transportation office and ask them who they use to transport students via other means than a bus. Hope it helps!!! The program is definately worth this stress for it will greatly benefit your child.
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