What would you say to a teacher who threatens to throw a kind student who got on wrong bus, off of the bus?

Question

I have a 5 year old grandson, who is probaly needs to be on medicine for being hyper active. It is a small school, less than 500 kids total. They have teacher who pull bus duty to make sure the small kids get on the correct bus. Now they called my son and told him about his son getting on the wrong bus, he had followed a girl talking to her, and boarded her bus instead of his. Thank god the bus driver noticed him on the wrong bus. But they wont to suspend him off of the bus for doing this. Is it just me or is this a littel over board...

The school is a small town school where everyone knows everyone. Believe me!! after 4 kids going through school I know how it works. I wish I could move. It would do absoultly no good to go to the principle, the woman who did this was the super herself. The only other time anything like this happened, was his second day of school, and his mom told him she was going to pick him up, well she went to the bus area to get him, and he went to the car ride area. He was scolded for that. He is not mean to No one, he is just got a lot of engery, and can not sit still. I feel if the teachers can not handle a child like this, they need to get another job.

Answer 1

First of all, you need to get your nose out of your son's business, and let you son handle things with your grandson and the school. You are operating entirely on what you hear from the boy and your son. As nice as they may both be, they will certainly speak from only one view point.

Second, a suspension from the bus is a common discipline measure. Perhaps it is warranted, perhaps not. Has he had other problems? Has he gotten on the wrong bus before? Has he misbehaved on the bus? It is easy to be critical, but you must remember that the bus driver is responsible for the safety of up to 60 kids, and often, he is the only adult on the bus (perhaps you have bus monitors in your school, but many don't). So, he has to drive and watch the kids all at the same time. And, if there is an accident or problem, then it's his butt that is toast. All that for a relatively small pay check.

And your last statement is SO revealing. He's not a mean kid, just overactive, and if the teachers can't handle that, they ought to get another job. Perhaps you ought to try being a substitute in school, and see what its like to handle 25 "overactive" children for the day. You might be a bit touchy by the end of the day too, you think? Rather than complain, why not volunteer to help around the school. I have never heard of a school anywhere that couldn't use some volunteers. You can read to students, staple papers, help with special projects, or any number of things. Then, if your grandson IS being mistreated, you'll get to see it first hand, and the problem will probably go away. And, you'll come to understand that there are two sides to every story.

Answer 2

I'm getting really tired of schools having "one size fits all rules" that are supposed to cover everyone from innocent five year olds to sixteen year old gun-toting hoods. What ever happened to teachers and schools having some compassion and common sense?

Assuming this is the only time he's ever done something naughty, suspending your grandson from using the bus over it is overboard.

He's only five years old. Five year olds get distracted, have trouble paying attention. And sure, sometimes they get fidgety - that's why there's supposed to be recess, to run some of that energy off! I'll bet he didn't even really understand that he was doing something naughty. He may not even understand that the different buses go to different places.

I'm not sure what you can say to a teacher who's that inflexible, other than the truth: he's only five. He didn't understand. Let's give him another chance, and then if he does something naughty, we can talk about appropriate consequences.

Otherwise, if the teacher won't listen to the voice of reason, it may depend on how far you want to pursue the matter. I might be inclined to chat with the principal of the school, and then perhaps even the school board and local newspapers. You hate to blow a small issue up out of proportion, but you also hate to see a kid treated unfairly.

Answer 3

The job of a school is to deal with each child- even if they have mental, physical or emotional problems. ADHD (which I think you are referring to) is not uncommon in children. I cannot imagine why the teacher would threaten being suspended for such a small act. Your grandson was not hurting anyone, not hurting himself.. he was just talking to a friend, and got on the wrong bus.. Heck, I am 32 and I do things like that when I am not paying attention. If your Gson gets suspended.. fight it. You can take it to the superintendent, and if they dont do anything, take it to the school board. I really think that they need to get some new "blood" in there that knows how to deal with children with different behavior problems.. and not to mention the kids that dont! ADHD isnt a HUGE deal, but they do take extra time to care for. I can see why you are so upset. I say fight it... and also, talk to your Gson about the whole bus situation.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

Don't worry -- the teacher is making idle threats. I am an assistant principal, and I happen to know that NO teacher has the authority to keep a child off the bus. I am surprised it has turned into an issue, actually. My students hop on the wrong bus all the time. We just bring them back to school, call the parents, and then get them to the right place. No harm done. However, be aware a student CAN be tossed off the bus for poor behavior, so if you are concerned about his hyperactivity, do him a favor and have that checked out.

Answer 5

Ok, so I wouldn't take it as far as getting a lawyer (people sue too much and the situation isn't that bad YET) but I would definitely speak to the principle and most likely the school superintendent. It was the teacher's fault. She was supposed to make sure that your grandson got on the right bus. If anything she should be reprimanded, not your 5 year old grandson.

Answer 6

That is ridiculous. Any body could board the wrong bus. It was the teachers responsibility to make sure the kids get on the right bus. It is the teachers fault! I would rip it up the teacher for not doing there job properly. If they don't think the teacher should do it - why do they have one there at all. He is five - five year olds care about friends and getting home to eat - not which bus line they are in.

Answer 7

As a teacher, it seems to me that suspending him for this is excessive, especially considering his age. However, I also know that you weren't there when it happened, and you most likely did not hear the whole story. I'm sure there was a lot more to it than just that. I practically have to scream bloody murder to have a student suspended for far worse offenses, so I can't imagine a principal taking the time and going to the trouble of suspending a kinder for what you said happened.

As for his hyperactivity, have your son request that he be tested. If a parent requests testing, the school is legally responsible for providing that testing. There's no sense in your grandson struggling through school when there are ways to help him (plus knowing one way or the other is super valuable for parents and teachers alike).

Best wishes. :)

Answer 8

Suspension, for a 5 year old? I would call the school board and let them know what is going on. That is just WRONG. It is way overboard.
As for being hyperactive, check his diet, eliminate sugars and starchy foods. This may help.
Also, 5 year olds have short attention spans and a lot of energy. Think about this before medications. I think a lot of problems with the kids today is being "doped up" at such a young age.

Answer 9

This ranks right up there with one of the most ridiculous things that I have ever heard. I am sure your grandson made an honest mistake.

No child that is 5 years old LIKES to realize that he is on the wrong bus!!! How scary! This should be brought to the school principal's attention.

Answer 10

If your grandson keeps getting on the wrong bus then he needs to be removed from the bus. Each bus has it's own route and there are far more childen on each bus than your "precious" grandson. They can not keep other children from getting home to their parents on time in order to go out of their way to get your grandson home. If his attention span is so bad maybe someone from home should take him and pick him up from school until he learns which bus he needs to be on. If YOU don't like the town you live in you have the option to move. I doubt very much someone in that town is holding you hostage and FORCING you to stay there.