I would like to know who decides or what determines the bus stops!!!
I was really upset when my sons bus did not show up (so I thought) in our neighborhood this morning. We were told at open house to be waiting in front of our house at 7:30, he was outside BEFORE 7:30. I ended up leaving my house at 8:15 to take him and 2 more boys, that were waiting on the bus, to school.
This afternoon my son gets home from school and informs me that the bus stops way up the street to pick up and drop off. I was p***ed!
I called the Transportation Director (Joe Watson 770-443-8035, in case anyone else needs the #) and he told me that for the first week the bus was suppose to go through the whole neighborhood and that the bus stops would be established after that. He also told me that the stops would be 0.2 of a mile from the house (who's house?? I don't know). I told him I would check to see if that stop was more or less than 0.2 of a mile from my house. Well it was just a little bit over. BUT, there are several kids in this neighborhood that live a lot further down the road than we do and I did mention this to Mr. Watson. He continued to tell me that the stop would not change unless there were other complaints.
Before anyone says "Don't be lazy, it won't hurt him to walk". The book bags they carry weigh a ton. It is NOT a flat road, yes he would be walking up hill with this ridiculous weighing bag on his back.
I am a tax payer, does this mean anything. Does the children's possible health outcome mean anything??
I just had to get this out of my system............... now what do I do??!!
Go easy on Joe Watson. If we loose him we sink. He has been a one man band keeping out buses running for years, and gets very few compliments but lots of the other stuff.
Let him know that your neighborhood wants to work with him to best determine where they can safely load and unload. And it will take a while to get the kinks out. He has about 10% more [or more ?] kids with 1% more drivers, half of which are new. I would trade the 2/10s of a mile hike [our driveway is longer than that] for not being first on and last off of a 75 minute route.
When you think they are ganging up against you....."Illigitimus non es carborundum"
My daughter just started the 6th grade. We live in a new neighborhood and there are only 3 middle schoolers here that ride the bus. The bus stop is right at the .2 mile point. This would be okay except for the fact that it is not on our street. The driver told my child and the neighbor of ours that they are in middle school so they were old enough to walk. Now like I said this is a new subdivision. Half of the houses that they have to pass are vacant. We have been here only 3 weeks ourselves and in that time there has been at least 3 houses broken into and these were on 3 different occasions. There are workers in and out of here all the time and they are mostly in unmarked vehicles. Also that I can't see the bus stop from my house. I can't see her until she gets half way home. I am sure that Joe Watson will do nothing about this. I called but it was after hours.
Anyone with any suggestions on how to approach him with this?
Plus my neighbor can't complain because they don't speak english. The kids do but not the parents. The are really nice but I know that they would not be able to complain unless it is thru the children.
Mr. Watson is really showing that he cares for the children, isn't he? You never know what will happen to children these days between the time they get off the bus, till they arrive home (if they make it home).
And those drivers should think about this, too. How are they gonna feel one morning when they hear that a child that rode their bus, never made it home. Kinda scary, isn't it???
The way it used to be is that the buses come down into the subdivisons for the elementary school kids but not for the middle or high school kids.
By the time they're in middle school and definitely high school, they are old enough to walk to the bus stop. I think an exception should be made for rainy days and exceptionally cold days. Elementary school kids should not have to walk anywhere to catch the bus. They should continue to do as they did when my kids were in school, and pick them up at the end of the driveway.
I had problems where the bus didn't pick my kids up on many occasions. I complained constantly, as did other parents in the subdivision; however, it did no good. Luckily there was one stay-at-home mom in our subdivision who could take the kids to school if the bus didn't come.
I have a problem with my son's bus stop also. My son was told to walk down the street to an intersection. I can not see it from my house and there is not a parent of any of the kids that live at that intersection. I would open my garage when it rained or when it was cold, what do these kids do? Not only does my child have a heavy bookbag, he carryings a band instrument, and an afterschool snack since he stays after for marching band.
I also think that taking him down the street away from anyone paying attention will promote skipping school. In addition the kid next door was picked up at his driveway for two years, why stop now?
The Silverthorne Subdivision is large and I am sure that others have the same concerns, please call and voice them.
This is not meant as a flame, but maybe just something to think about.
If all the buses stopped at EVERY house, how long would it take to complete a route? I just can't see where this is feasible.
Could it be possible to drive your child to the bus stop? I don't have any real answers except, if you don't feel your child is old enough to walk to the stop safely, you may need to take him/her yourself.
I know in our sub. the bus does come into the subdivion for middle school. Not sure about high school, though. Is this something that individual bus drivers decide?
From past experience with the Dept. of Trans. for the schools, you can catch alot more flys with honey than with vinegar. Try asking the bus driver nicely. You may find that they just didn't realize where your child has to walk from.
Carpe Diem.
Remember all those women on the 'Titanic' who waved off the dessert cart
Erma Bombeck Sometimes nothing is a cool hand.
I am a new member to P.com. Let me start off by informing you that I am a P.County school bus driver. I have been reading all of the comments & just had to get my say in. I understand your frustration on all topics. I have 2 children myself, (elem. & middle). As a bus driver I try to treat the students on my bus the same way I want my own kids to be treated. After all, when they're on my bus, they are my kids. I'm responsible for their safety & I don't take that lightly! As for the dispute about bus stops, I have only 2 middle school kids in a particular subdivision. They live less than 1/10 mile from the main road, but I pick them up in front of their houses because I cannot see their houses from the main road. It's a safety issue for me, too. (As far as Joe Watson is concerned, he is a very caring soul. Ask him to come out & look at your child's bus stop. He cares for our kids, too. He's very fair & backs you up as well as us.) Before I became a driver, I had the same problem. The driver wanted my (middle school) son to catch the bus at the end of our road at a busy street with another child who is known for trouble-making. I talked to the driver nicely & expressed my concerns. Problem solved! As far as the weather goes, anytime it is raining or extremely cold, Mr Watson's voice can be heard over our radios reminding us to get as close as possible to every child's driveway, including m.s. & h.s. Most of us don't need reminding, but I guess there are a few who do. Now for pickup times; I don't know why we can't let m.s. kids out before 8:15. (Another rule they changed on us, too!) But we try to run our routes as efficiently as possible. If we get there too early or late, we change our pickup times accordingly. The only way we can pick up every child at their driveway is if we start at 6:30am! Can you imagine the complaints then?! I certainly wouldn't want my child catching the bus that early or staying on that long! Anyway! I know I've "talked" too much so I'm gonna' go now. I've got to be up early to get my "babies" to school. I hope you've gotten a little insight into the bus driver's mind. (Hope I didn't scare ya'!)Happy to answer any questions or listen to any complaints.
formerly known as rollin'on
In loving memory of Josh Prather
Jan 3, 1990 - Jan 12, 2006
"I'm as free as a bird now."
You are always in my heart and always on my mind. I love you.
In loving memory of one of our own,
Dianne Wright, gone but not forgotten
September 24, 1949 - April 17, 2007
Come back when you can and be a voice for the drivers. Most of us see the small picture and we need a wakeup call sometimes to see the big one. Keep em rolling and keep em safe!
There's more to P.com than just complaining, sometimes you just have to look for it.
Joe
This post has been edited by Joe Sixpack: 12 August 2004 - 08:34 PM
Speak little, trust few, always paddle your own canoe . . .
I understand the complaints about the bus stops but I have a different complaint about the bus routes. I live in rural Pausling County (Union), my middle school kids don't get off of the bus until 5:15! I know that it IS because we are in "the country" but I still find it a little obsurd that it be this late when they get home.
Laugh and the world laughs with you, whine and I'm going home
As far as the weather goes, anytime it is raining or extremely cold, Mr Watson's voice can be heard over our radios reminding us to get as close as possible to every child's driveway, including m.s. & h.s. Most of us don't need reminding, but I guess there are a few who do. Now for pickup times; I don't know why we can't let m.s. kids out before 8:15. (Another rule they changed on us, too!) But we try to run our routes as efficiently as possible. If we get there too early or late, we change our pickup times accordingly. The only way we can pick up every child at their driveway is if we start at 6:30am! Can you imagine the complaints then?! I certainly wouldn't want my child catching the bus that early or staying on that long!
I am not asking that my child be picked up at my driveway. My BIGGEST complaint is that ;
1. I was told, by Joe Watson himself, that the drivers for at least the first week were suppose to go through the neighborhood.......well, it's Friday and it NEVER did happen that way.
2. It rained this morning, did the bus come on down, NO it did not.
3. Yes I DO consider this a safety issue. I can not see the stop (or any stop) that the driver is using from my house, driveway or even if I walk up the street a ways.
I am not the only parent that has complained about this and NOTHING has been done yet. The driver has no idea how many kids are in this neighborhood since he has never made it around the neighborhood. I have been taking my son to school EVERY morning and he has been riding the bu home everyday, so far. I will be giving Mr. Watson a call again tomorrow to see if we can get this resolved.
Rollin'on,
I sure wish you were the bus driver here, I would feel a lot safer if my children were with you . Thank you for your post, now I know who to ask my questions to about bus situations
Just a short note in response to the late times getting home. Middle schools let out at 3:55 now instead of 3:20. We're not happy either! No extra pay for the extra time we spend. Last year I got home from my route at 4:15 every afternoon. This year it's 4:55 (and I live right around the corner from the school!) That's the only reason I can come up with for your child getting home so late! My middle schooler didn't get home until almost 5:00. I know his driver. She's not to blame. Maybe if enough parents and drivers complained, they'd change the time back. YEAH RIGHT! Anyway, try to talk to Mr Watson about your concerns. Your driver should have come down your street this week. Don't know the reason why they didn't. Ask them. Gotta' go start the bus now. Have a great day! P.S. ROLL ON!
formerly known as rollin'on
In loving memory of Josh Prather
Jan 3, 1990 - Jan 12, 2006
"I'm as free as a bird now."
You are always in my heart and always on my mind. I love you.
In loving memory of one of our own,
Dianne Wright, gone but not forgotten
September 24, 1949 - April 17, 2007
Two tenths of a WHOLE mile? Oh my what a long way to walk. Dont you school board members know that that is just over the length of 3 football fields? What were you thinking. Please spend some more of my money so our out of shape kids can walk less than a single football field. And the cold Georgia weather. I am really surprised at how ruthless our board members have become.
Two tenths of a WHOLE mile? Oh my what a long way to walk. Dont you school board members know that that is just over the length of 3 football fields? What were you thinking. Please spend some more of my money so our out of shape kids can walk less than a single football field. And the cold Georgia weather. I am really surprised at how ruthless our board members have become.
1. This is a SAFETY issue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. It is NOT your money, I pay taxes also.
3. My child is NOT out of shape.
4. Who said that the BOE made that decision??!!!
5. You must not have children or even if you do........... you are an UNCARING person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I CARE about my child's safety, as a matter of FACTTTTTTT this is what happened today..............
The bus stops at one of the roads on my street for the bus stop. Well that road is in a VERY bad curve. After my child and his friend, that lives EVEN further down the road, got off the bus, some idiot in the neighborhood came flying around that curve and almost hit BOTH of the children. AM I MAD ABOUT THIS, YOU BET YOUR A** I AM MAD ABOUT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And yes, Mr. Watson WILL receive a call about this come Monday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Watson is really showing that he cares for the children, isn't he? You never know what will happen to children these days between the time they get off the bus, till they arrive home (if they make it home).
And those drivers should think about this, too. How are they gonna feel one morning when they hear that a child that rode their bus, never made it home. Kinda scary, isn't it???
This is so true.
Know of a family in the Yorkville community, grandson has to walk down the road to catch the bus, even though the bus goes right by their house. Joe Watson came to their house and was rude and could not understand the concern or the logic of it.
A lady with child at Moses had to get a court order for her child to ride the bus this year. Been riding it for past 2 years.
My daughter has a great bus driver, Kathy Ragsdale, almost as great as my bus driver Katy Benson was and still is.
Just think: The little neighborhood girl/boy may one day be the President of the United States of America. Children are our future, invest in them!
I agree Paulding Mom.. and the proof is in the pudding! Thank you drivers.. for putting up with all you do. I can barely make it to the store sometimes with my own children.. buckled in I might add.. let alone with as many as you tote not to mention they are able to rome about freely.. eek... and again, thank you for getting my child/children to school safely when I am unable...
Sometimes you need to take a little initiative. It's not up to the world to solve your problems. If you have a concern for your childs safety then make it safe. Don't complain to everyone else that no one is solving your problem. Walk with your kid, drive them to the stop, drive them to school, take them to a before school program. Don't expect others to bend over backward for you, especially if you're going to be rude about it!
And before you throw it in my face, yes I do have a child.
This post has been edited by mrsbhavn: 14 August 2004 - 07:32 AM
Sometimes you need to take a little initiative. It's not up to the world to solve your problems. If you have a concern for your childs safety then make it safe. Don't complain to everyone else that no one is solving your problem. Walk with your kid, drive them to the stop, drive them to school, take them to a before school program. Don't expect others to bend over backward for you, especially if you're going to be rude about it!
And before you throw it in my face, yes I do have a child.
If you are referring to ME....... I was not being RUDE. I was trying to get the point across to Dirt Dauber about the safety issue. Dirt Daubers post did strike a nerve with me when he posted this:
QUOTE
Please spend some more of my money so our out of shape kids can walk less than a single football field. And the cold Georgia weather. I am really surprised at how ruthless our board members have become.
As far as complaining, YES I am complaining and I have been trying to SOLVE this problem.
FYI, as far as picking him up and taking him to school, I have 2 children that get on and off the bus at different times. So I cannot always take him and pick him up.
I have NEVER expected anyone to bend over backwards for me. But I do expect SAFETY for my children when it can be done in a NON-inconvenient way. I would think that CARING parents would understand this and so would the school system.
Maybe you should reread the post, I think you misunderstood my point or you just totally skipped over some of the things that I have said
edited so I could add one more thing: When I talked with Mr. Watson earlier this week, he was VERY VERY nice and I was very nice to him also. I do not have a problem with Mr. Watson, just with the situation. And he did tell me to call him back to let him know if the driver ever made it around our neighborhood. I did call back but he must have been getting SEVERAL calls because the phone would ring over and over and when someone finally did answer I was informed that he was on another call. that I needed to call back later. Just wanted you to know that I am not a rude person, just concerned for my children's SAFETY.
This post has been edited by ephs45: 14 August 2004 - 09:49 AM
One idea - Wait with the children on Monday. Tell the bus driver what happend and ask if there is somewhere safer / closer they can wait. Unless you tell him/her, the driver might never know the situation.
I've seen cases in the past where a parent brought something to a drivers attention, and the issue was quicly resolved.
Good Luck!!
Who is John Gault? - He's the successful business owner who didn't want to play by the new 'Law of the Land' so he closed up shop, packed up his stuff and left. He was joined by many other successful business owners who did the same. They stayed away until the government begged them to return and repealed the law.
One idea - Wait with the children on Monday. Tell the bus driver what happend and ask if there is somewhere safer / closer they can wait. Unless you tell him/her, the driver might never know the situation.
I've seen cases in the past where a parent brought something to a drivers attention, and the issue was quicly resolved.
Good Luck!!
Thank you for the advice
QUOTE
mrsbhavn Posted on Aug 14 2004, 11:41 AM Good! I hope your situation was resolved. Sounds like Mr. Watson will come through for you.
I AM ALSO A BUS DRIVER FOR PAULDING COUNTY. I HAVE READ ALL OF THE POSTS AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I CARE VERY DEEPLY ABOUT THE KIDS I DRIVE FOR. I HAVE HAD THE SAME ROUTE FOR THREE YEARS NOW, SIMPLY BECAUSE I AM ATTACHED TO "MY KIDS". FOR SOME OF YOU TO IMPLY THAT WE DO NOT CARE WHAT HAPPENS TO THESE CHILDREN REALLY BOTHERS ME!! WE, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE HAVE RULES TO FOLLOW. WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO STOP AT EVERY SINGLE CHILD'S HOUSE. JUST LIKE SOMEONE ELSE SAID- OUR ROUTES WOULD BE TERRIBLY LONG! I HAVE ADJUSTED SOME OF MY STOPS BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL DANGER TO THE CHILDREN. SOME OF MY ROUTE IS ON A REALLY CURVY ROAD WHERE SPEEDING IS A PROBLEM. I GO DOWN IT TWICE SO THAT THE CHILDREN DO NOT HAVE TO CROSS THE ROAD. PLEASE DON'T THINK THAT ALL BUS DRIVERS ARE HEARTLESS!!!
I AM ALSO A BUS DRIVER FOR PAULDING COUNTY. I HAVE READ ALL OF THE POSTS AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I CARE VERY DEEPLY ABOUT THE KIDS I DRIVE FOR. I HAVE HAD THE SAME ROUTE FOR THREE YEARS NOW, SIMPLY BECAUSE I AM ATTACHED TO "MY KIDS". FOR SOME OF YOU TO IMPLY THAT WE DO NOT CARE WHAT HAPPENS TO THESE CHILDREN REALLY BOTHERS ME!! WE, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE HAVE RULES TO FOLLOW. WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO STOP AT EVERY SINGLE CHILD'S HOUSE. JUST LIKE SOMEONE ELSE SAID- OUR ROUTES WOULD BE TERRIBLY LONG! I HAVE ADJUSTED SOME OF MY STOPS BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL DANGER TO THE CHILDREN. SOME OF MY ROUTE IS ON A REALLY CURVY ROAD WHERE SPEEDING IS A PROBLEM. I GO DOWN IT TWICE SO THAT THE CHILDREN DO NOT HAVE TO CROSS THE ROAD. PLEASE DON'T THINK THAT ALL BUS DRIVERS ARE HEARTLESS!!!
Please understand that anything that I have posted is not meant toward ALL bus drivers. We have had a few bus drivers that I think VERY highly of. This is the first time I have EVER complained about a bus situation. So PLEASE don't be offended or take anything that I have posted personally.
I work in the school system also, believe me, there have been a few post that are on here related to my job but I do know that they are not attacking ME, they are talking about THEIR situation. So again, understand that I am talking about MY situation only.
I just wish ALL bus drivers felt the same way that you and rollin'on do, but unfortunately they don't.
Oh heck, ephs45 is fired up now!! but i totally see her point, i use to have the same probelm and it is not the bus drivers fault, although, joe watson will tell you his self that it is up to each bus driver to decide on wheter the bus will stop at the drive way or not.
some bus drivers will tell you the same thing, and if the bus driver does not won't to stop at the drive way then all they have to do is tell joe, and then he backs them on their descision to do so.
if you have a good driver that cares for the safety of the children as djsmom says she does, then the bus driver will work with you but in all fairness there are alot that will not work with you as a parent on this matter,
i have had first hand experince with this myself, so not all bus drivers are heartless, but not all bus drivers are concerned as others, that is a two way street.
and if the bus driver had of been going through the neighbor hood to start with like the parents where told he would do, then maybe this would not be a probelem now.
evidently joe did not "communicate" with the bus driver about going through the neighbor hood, or maybe the driver thought that it would be ok that no one would complain about it, but little did they know,
one would complain, and will keep complaining until this probelem is solved and i know that ephs45 will handle this,
mrsbhavn: she is not expecting anybody on this board to handle it for her, she was just venting about it, which incase you have not noticed goes on alot here,so she was not doing something that no one else does, (and i am speaking for myself also)
i know she has made several post about this situation, and gotten some good advice, and has done everything she knows to do, so maybe she was looking for more "advice", since the probelem had not be resolved, as joe said it would be.
ephs45: good luck, and keep trying, if i can help let me know, i know the saftey issue is a big probelem, i have been there and done that, but just keep calling joe, everyday if you have to, and if that does not work go to the BOE about it, infact i have some of their email address if you would like to discuss it with them
djsmom:
please do not use all capitol letters, that is the same as screaming at some one, just wanted to let you know before pubby let you know, and we are glad to have you,
and some of their home #'s so just let me know, i believe some one said "parents need to work together to get things acomplished," so lets see what we can get acomplised
"The most dangerous place in the world to be is "Between a Mother and her Child"
In Loving Memory of My Daddy and Mama
3-29-08and 10-24-2012
mrsbhavn: she is not expecting anybody on this board to handle it for her, she was just venting about it, which incase you have not noticed goes on alot here,so she was not doing something that no one else does, (and i am speaking for myself also)
No, I know. I didn't mean for my post to come across as bitter as it sounded so ephs, please accept my apology.
I live 2/10's exactly from the bus stop for my middle schooler. He walked it last year, and it was fine with me cause there is someone up there with middle schoolers also who keeps an eye on them til the bus comes. This year, however, a new family moved in to our S/D, on another street, has never let her kids out of the yard, and is making the bus driver pick up her middle schooler at their house...which is also exactly 2/10's from the bus stop. I would love my kid to be picked up at home too, so my dilema is,,,,,Do I keep my mouth shut or should I ask for my kid to be picked up at home also? Any ideas?
Like I said before, mine is mainly about a safety issue. I am not asking that my child be picked up at my house, just in a safer area, which would be closer, but not at my house.
if the driver is going to pick one up at the drive way, then i would insist on mine being picked up at my drive way,
unless that child has certain needs and can not get to the bus stop, maybe the driver is just doing it for a while and then will start making the child walk with the rest,
the driver will probaly start making the child walk like the rest of the kids do, sometime this week, if not then i would check in to it,
maybe rollinon can answer that question for you, she is a driver and has been very helpful on answering questions, good luck
"The most dangerous place in the world to be is "Between a Mother and her Child"
In Loving Memory of My Daddy and Mama
3-29-08and 10-24-2012
Before that question can be reasonably answered, a few things need to be asked.
Is the current bus stop on your street. (Would the bus driver need to go out of his way to pick up at your drive?)
Are the neighbors in question on the same street as the bus stop? (Is the bus driver going out of his way to pick them up at their drive?)
If the driver would need to go out of his way to pick up at your drive, maybe you want think about leaving things as is unless there are other problems.
If it is not out of the way, perhaps ask the drive to move the stop to your drive.
(Out of the way being defined that they have to pull down your street and turn around somewhere.)
Who is John Gault? - He's the successful business owner who didn't want to play by the new 'Law of the Land' so he closed up shop, packed up his stuff and left. He was joined by many other successful business owners who did the same. They stayed away until the government begged them to return and repealed the law.
transplant - I accidentally answered your question in the other topic, "Can't we all just get along?" If you'll go there, I hope it will help. Sorry, but with driving the bus, monitoring in the lunchroom & being addicted to this site, it's a wonder I still know my name!
This post has been edited by rollin'on: 16 August 2004 - 06:59 PM
formerly known as rollin'on
In loving memory of Josh Prather
Jan 3, 1990 - Jan 12, 2006
"I'm as free as a bird now."
You are always in my heart and always on my mind. I love you.
In loving memory of one of our own,
Dianne Wright, gone but not forgotten
September 24, 1949 - April 17, 2007
Help
Posted 09 August 2004 - 05:13 PM
Promote to Article
You may find that they just didn't realize where your child has to walk from.
Posted 12 August 2004 - 08:25 PM
Posted 13 August 2004 - 05:38 AM
I was trying to get the point across to Dirt Dauber about the safety issue. Dirt Daubers post did strike a nerve with me when he posted this:
If you'll go there, I hope it will help. Sorry, but with driving the bus, monitoring in the lunchroom & being addicted to this site, it's a wonder I still know my name! 
