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I’m still waiting to hear from the local school bus company whether or not my kids will be able to ride the bus for free. My neighbor and I carpooled last year but she now has her kids on the bus. Therefore, I either put mine on the bus or drive all the time myself. Our house is the first one in the subdivision. Rules state that you have to live 2.5 miles from the school to receive free busing. Apparently, we are 2.43. Every other house in our 14-lot neighborhood qualifies for free busing except us. The bus picks up the kids next door and stops between our two homes.
If Dora were a child placed through the system rather than a private placement, she would qualify for free busing. The very nice man who last discussed this issue with me is doing his best to get us qualified. Apparently, they can now measure door-to-door and surely the distance up my driveway and to our door will net us the .07 miles we lack. Isn’t this absurd?
When I spoke to the nice man’s underling, she said if it were a money issue, perhaps they could do something for us? I told her it wasn’t a money issue per se … it just really irritated me that I spend vast amounts of time working for free with and for children and families and the stupid school bus that pulls up outside my door and takes every other kid in the neighborhood for free won’t take my kids. It just bugs me.
This morning I would have driven Beth to school even if we had free bus service, because I met with Dora’s soon-to-be-teacher and the principal. It is all arranged … Dora will begin school on the 17th, and she will start after lunch and go half days until I decide she is ready for all day. No arguments whatsoever. It was lovely. I also stipulated that I be called immediately for any and all meltdowns or issues, and that Dora be glued to her teacher or me only. Again, no arguments. Assuming we get the bus bugs worked out, Beth will retrieve Dora after school and accompany her to the bus and home on the bus. I love it when a plan comes together!
You have a great school!!
Good luck with the bus issue!!
Paying for busing to a public school? Wow! In our school system even kids who live NEXT DOOR to a school are offered the bus. They cannot walk to school. It’s a liability safety issue!
One would expect the bus company to be as accommodating as the school – maybe they will come around. Surely they can see how utterly silly it is, considering you live next to the pick-up spot!
When we lived in a California district, everyone who wanted to ride the bus had to pay – over $100 per year, per student. Considering that 80% of the kids were on reduced or free meals, it is ridiculous. Fortunately, everyone in our district in Missouri rides for free, regardless of where they live.
What does Dora think of going to school? Will they give her the intellectual challenges such a bright child will need? At least she will know one person there. How does Beth like the idea of helping Dora with the bus, not to mention going to school with her?
“Isn’t this absurd?”
Yes!! That is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard, and that is saying something when you are talking about public schooling!!
- Faith
I sure hope you can get the free bus ride. Sometimes rules are just not common sense. It’s not like you are asking them to come to some really remote area. Oh, that would qualify under the mileage rule. I hope you can get it worked out, because two trips a day can get old very quickly.