You may have read a week or so ago that I'm not thrilled with where we are "zoned" to attend elementary school. Now, I feel we have been dealt another bad hand with our bus route and proposed bus stop. It creates us to have to all walk down to her stop together because it is not only a bit far, but it is not at all able to be seen from our house and she has to cross by a house that is extremely troublesome and has weekly police visits.
After much confusion with the morning bus driver willing to stop closer to our house but a director unwilling to make it an official stop, I was forced to send this e-mail because, frankly, I feel like we deserve more from our district:
Mr. Transportation Director,
Though I rarely force an issue such as this, I feel strongly enough about this to do so. I understand that you get flooded with requests such as this, but I urge you to take another look at this situation in that a remedy would be so simple.
I have mentioned my safety concern about the house that my daughter walks past. This is a different house than the offender on the corner, but I find it to be equally offensive. I would be happy to contact Oswego Police to get a report to defend this fact. In addition, they have aggressive dogs that are often not leashed in the yard. We have been chased once already within the first 3 days of school on the way to the bus stop.
In addition, it was a constant struggle to have cul-de-sacs plowed last year when she was picked up for p.m. kindergarten at 12:30 p.m. I do not have high hopes that this will change this winter - especially by 8 a.m.
Every other child at her stop is within 3 driveways of the bus stop and can be seen from their home. My daughter crosses 9 driveways and is out of sight within 2 driveways due to the configuration of the cul-de-sacs.
I want to reiterate that safety is the main factor, not convenience. I have 2 smaller children that I pack up and walk to the stop with each morning and afternoon. And while it is inconvenient, I will not have my 6-year old walking alone well out of my sight past the home I referenced above . Unfortunately, this leads to the problem of today when the bus arrived 8 minutes earlier than it has been after school and I was not down the road to meet her. There is just too much room for error.
I am not asking for my daughter to be picked up at the end of our driveway. I am merely asking that her bus stop be moved to an area - well off of the intersection of Grove Road - where she can be seen from our home, as the bus passes right by this area anyway.
While it is not my preference to use e-mail to communicate my concerns, I do see its benefits in that you can read it at your convenience. If a phone / personal meeting is necessary to find a resolution, I would be happy to do so.
Sincerely,
Karen Kelly
So - would YOU change her bus stop for me?
Kenny’s 15 and Luke’s 12 year stats
5 years ago
9 comments:
in a heartbeat, karen! you did a great job with this. i hope this does the trick...
Definantly. It sounds too risky. I wouldn't want my daughter walking that far alone at the young age of 6. And with neighbors like yours God knows what could happen. I don't know if you remember my sisters face being bitten off by an aggressive neighborhood dog around that age. Anything can happen.
Intimidating letter, Kar. You told them!
absolutely.
it's good that you focused on the safety issue. i don't know how they could say no to that.
this is unbelievable and my blood is boiling just reading about this...can't imagine how you feel. Great letter...I really hope it changes his mind - how could it NOT! Keep us posted!!
What a nightmare. Once again, it makes me SO glad that I lived right next door to Kelly's elementary school. While I COULD have watched her walk the 100 feet to her kindergarten door, I walked her over and waited with the other moms every single day. There is too much room for error, even when you CAN see them, let alone when they are out of sight. I'm sure she likes the social aspect of the bus, given her tendency toward social butterfly-ness, but if it were me, I might just drive her to school. I don't like, and have never liked, relying on other people to do what they should. They rarely do. Cynical? Perhaps. But likely true. :)
another thought...if this doesn't get immediate action, I'd go straight to the superintendent and not stop until it got changed.
I would definitely change things if I got this letter, especially since it seems like such an easy fix! Keep fighting until you get this resolved to YOUR satisfaction. Sorry you're having to go through this.
i know exactly what house you are talking about. unfortunately, i know the person who lives in it. This is scary - and paige should not be put at rish due to the school's negligence. I hope this all works out for you, otherwise, i may have to come take her to school myself!
Great letter, icky situation. Any updates?
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