Thursday, July 29, 2010

The early late bus

Much to my surprise, and apparently to many of you parents out there, I recently learned of a decision to change the late bus schedule. In case you didn't see it, here is the announcement that was posted to the District's website . . .

AFTER SCHOOL BUS SCHEDULE CHANGE FOR 2010 - 2011
Please note that there has been a change in the after school bus run in the Neshaminy School District for the 2010-2011 school year. There will no longer be a 5:00 p.m. bus run. The after school bus run will now be at 4:15 p.m. Students who are participating in activities past 4:15 p.m. will need to arrange for their own transportation home.

I'm not too sure I like the idea since students staying later than 4:15pm are faced with the challenge of finding a ride home or not participating in their after school event.

What do you think?
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12 comments:

judy 1951 said...

can you please tell us why? the kids need this bus. and the later time.

Tecchie Teacher said...

I understand that the district can only fund one late bus, but my concern in doing away with the 5:00p bus is that it prevents a lot of students from being able to participate in sports after school because they can't get a ride. For a lot of kids who can't afford to participate in club teams, school teams are their only option, and now even that may become impossible. I don't understand why it can't go back to the way it was last year with a 5 o'clock bus but no 4:15 - if kids stay for clubs, they can stay the extra 45 min for the ride, but sports games & practices aren't likely to end early...

srodos said...

It seems to me it would be less stressful if the after school bus left at 5pm and took everyone home.

RVN6869 said...

Just a thought, cancel the 4:15 bus and keep the 5 o'clock bus. The students can try to do some homework while waiting until 5.

momof4 said...

If I remember correctly from last year, we were given notice about cancelling the Kindtergarten bus and the 4:15 bus. I know from the after school activities with my own children, they're more likely to be finishing at 5:00 or after. There's no activity I know of that ends for the 4:15 bus. I too am surprised at no advance warning for this.

tweetheartxo said...

nice...so at least the kids who get detention get a ride home. I guess the kids who are in sports and activities are out of luck! Most of those end at 5:00

Levittowner said...

My child is in soccer and they were always done before 5 pm unless it was an away game. I would pick them up at school since they were done around 4 pm. The musical rehersals were done at 6pm so we would pick up for that also. I would assume that the school is trying an "earlier" late bus since there isn't much need for a 5pm bus ( I don't know how it is at the high school)I know the few times my child took it when sports weren't in session there was only one other kid on it.
I don't know how the high school schedule works, but for the middle school..most of the time the kids are done at 4:15 pm with sports.

Levittowner said...

ahh..sorry about earlier post..seems I have a short memory. Musical practice usually ended at 5pm. I was driving around so much this past year that it is all a blur.

JS said...

It's been on the website. Surprised they don't let the board members know that kind of decision.

Judy, I would say that the reason is that (as anyone who as ever driven in this area between 4-5) it is extremely difficult for parents to pick a child up if they work till 5pm.

With that being said the practice is in place, and if it should be discontinued, fine. The problem is it makes more sense to keep the 5pm bus like last year and not have the 4:15 bus.

Having seen the crowd of kids waiting for the bus (well before 5pm) I can only imagine they are trying to deal with the issue of having kids unsupervised if their club/meeting/detention is over at 4 and no bus until 5pm.

My question would be, shouldn't it be policy for any student group (sport, club, etc.) that the coach/teacher/advisor must be accountable for those students until they are picked up (or walk home)?

Either way it seems to be that there are a lot more students affected by having a bus at 4:15 rather than 5.

Unknown said...

How funny Iam a bus driver and just found this out. Sorry but its crap most games are not done until 5 so whomever feels this is a good ideal REALLY needs to think again.

Real World said...

The bus drivers did their part, making many concessions to avoid their jobs being outsourced. We need to do our part as a community and start a car pool. When I go to Neshaminy I see countless parents bringing their children to school in spite of the fact that busses are provided. Kids don't want to take busses when their parents are more than willing to taxi them. Whats the problem.

momof4 said...

I'm glad to see there's been a change and the 5:00 is back on instead of the 4:15 according to the district web site.