Bus Stop Policy - How stupid is this?! - "not school policy" but "special" for me(?) - N E Lawyers want this?

Question

My 5 year old has always been in regular classes "with accomodations and related services" - since under the disability LAWS for children a SEVERE Speech/Language Impairment IS a disability. - Then we moved - 30 miles - same state (AZ).

2 mo's later I'm still fighting to get her OT and Spch therapies back and they're giving me hell about transportation!! The LAW will get her bus back but if they want to make this such a HUGE issue, so be it.

1st week we were here, my daughter was on the regular bus. I was at the bus stop w/2 other parents when eleven 5-7 yr old's were dropped off & the bus left. Four kids (including mine) were w/adults, 6 went in different directions to go home & one little girl was standing on the sidewalk crying. Noone was there for her, didn't speak english & didn't know how to get home.

I was SO angry! I called and told the school everything. The solution: a "special" provision - MY kid won't be left unlss I'm there. > NOT why I called!< COMMENTS?

**PLEASE try not to let the "she didn't speak english" part get to you, that's not the point. Pretend she had a SEVERE Speech/Language Impairment!!

Also, please note that there were SIX additional children left with no supervision. My daughter (for now) has to wear a sticker with her name and stop on it. I've done the research and saw other places in AZ where the SAME thing is done - except ALL of those kindergarten kids wear a placard around their necks with thier info.

I KNOW it's hard for working parents but I would rather pay someone $50 a week to walk my kid home, than have to explain why my kid was dropped off alone and left to walk 2 blocks home to the media if (god forbid) my child were abducted and no one noticed!

I'll take the heat from parents if I have to... but the school district(s) (not the driver or the parents) are responsible for this.

My daughter has been brought back to the school because I was stuck in traffic and wasn't home in time. But she was SAFE.

The school "says" it's not their policy. But if it wasn't their policy, a "special provision" wouldn't be necessary would it.

Answer 1

Your anger is understandable about the poor child but it is also the responsibility of the parent first (to make sure she is there on time) and the bus driver who left her there. The school can only do so much about this, though. Usually the driver is not on the payroll of a school (usually they are contracted and have their own responsibility). You should have also had a chat with this bus driver about leaving a minor with no parent present, it's not acceptable for any reason.
The second issue (or first one you've stated), is also not acceptable, however it is more common than you know. I have seen a lot of parents just like your child receiving inadequate or nothing for special needs. They (School) seem to say the same thing, there just is not enough money. Don't buy in to it, stand firm and keep at it. There is money specifically for your child, they just chose to use it elsewhere. It may be a battle to get the help your child deserves, if the school does not help you'll have to go to the school board and then the media. Good Luck.

Answer 2

I thought that kids are supposed to be dropped off near or in front of their homes nowadays? Personally, if I were that bus driver and I saw that that child was alone, I would drive her back to school until the parent or guardian picked her up. The school did not solve the problem. Perhaps a trip to the next board of education meeting with concerned parents from your bus stop is in order?