Another teacher issue

Today my son was mistakingly put on a bus home instead of afterschool, then let go from the bus, and thankfully my neighbor realized I wasn't there and took him home with her and called me. I called the school and got it touch with the afterschool program (by that time everyone in the main office was gone) and they got in touch with the teacher. She called me and said that she was sorry and my son must have wandered off from the afterschool line to the bus line. My son insists that he was called on the bus line (some days he takes the bus home but not today). I called another mom of a kid on his bus whose kid also said she thought my son was called to the bus line. Regardless if he wandered or not he is a kindergartener and I am seriously angry at the teacher for not double checking and the bus driver for just letting him off the bus. I asked to have a meeting with the principal. Am I being too harsh? There was another issue last week where a kid crawled under my kids bathroom stall and punched him and the teacher forgot to notify me. I know kindergarteners should be given some independence over daycare but this is too little supervision and makes me concerned for his safety. So, wwyd?

Message edited 1/15/2014 9:06:08 PM.

Another teacher issue

Ohhhhh this would make me mad! This happened to my son, but he was a bit older. A kindergartner!? NO way!! I would meet with the Principal to ensure this NEVER happens again. I would also tell her that he was called to the bus line from what you understand in speaking to him and another person. Thank god your neighbor was there to get him, and he wasn't wandering around the neighborhood (like mine was!).

Another teacher issue

Ever since 9/11, I thought bus drivers weren't allowed to release students under a certain age (possibly grade 3??) off the bus without visually seeing an adult at the stop- and if no adult was present the student was to be taken back to the school. While I do agree that the teacher should have placed him on the correct line- dismissal can get very crazy sometimes, especially with the younger students. I am more concerned that the bus driver let your son get off the bus without an adult present. I would definitely make a big deal about this.

Another teacher issue

I am fuming just reading your post. I would definitely talk to the principal but I think the bus driver is more at fault here and I would be on the phone with the transportation department immediately. Maybe it was a mistake putting him on the bus, but I bet they will never do that again after you talk to the principal but I think it is against the law to allow your child to be let off the bus without a parent there. The bus driver should be fired over that immediately.

Re: Another teacher issue

I would be very upset as well. I know in our district kindergarteners must be met at the bus by someone on their release list. I would be questioning the teacher as well as the bus driver.

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OMG, I am so angry reading this.

I would absolutely be down at that school today with everyone involved.

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This is now the second time I am hearing of this in 1 week. How can this be? What an incredibly serious issue. The other persons situation, the bus driver dropped off and left the 6 yr old to walk home alone crying. How irresponsible of the school system, the transport system. I am sorry but maybe they need to start the after school program 30 minutes before bussing to ensure all kids are in the correct spot. I'd be livid!!! I would go so much higher then the principal.

Message edited 1/16/2014 6:48:03 AM.

Re: Another teacher issue

You are not overreacting. I would meet with the principal and notify the Superintendant. This should NEVER be happening.

Another teacher issue

Oh hell no! You are not overreacting at all. Our bus driver won't let Jake off the bus unless he sees me. They are all supposed to do that, especially for kindergarteners. That is totally unacceptable. Def. meet with his teacher and Mr. S.

Re: Another teacher issue

The biggest problem here is what the bus driver did. They are not allowed to let a kid off unless a parent or authorized person is there to pick him/her up. Regarding taking the bus vs. afterschool those mistakes happen but he should have been brought back to school when no one was at the bus stop for him. That is unaccepable.

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Another teacher issue

I would be so p!ssed, I mean livid. I'm sorry but I think everyone is equal at fault and responsible, bus driver and the school staff. Chaos and being busy when school lets out is not an excuse as to why my child would get put on a bus when he should be in after school, a service that I am paying for. This is a huge safety issue and saying I'm
Sorry he probably went on the wrong line would not fly with me and get me even more irate. Do not pass the buck on a 5/6 year old. If it's chaotic then get more people or monitor or figure something out.

I'm not sure about the rules of the bus driver since I never took the bus and neither does my DS. However, going by what was mentioed above, the bus driver also made a huge mistake as well but the fact is the first equally huge mistake was putting your son on the bus to begin with when he should've been at school.

God forbid something had happened, what would they be saying then? I would want to try to fix this or make waves so this doesn't happen again to any one else's child and the ending result be a tragic outcome.

Also, did you neighbor take your son as soon as he got off and the bus driver saw it? Thank god for your neighbor.

Re: Another teacher issue

I would have to be tied down...seriously. What if your neighbor had not bee home? Would your son have known what to do? This is awful and the bottom line is the line of command failed but the bus driver ultimately have the responsibility to NOT let a child off the bus unless someone was there to meet him.

I would demand a meeting with the principal, teacher AND the bus driver and they could all see how they could pass the blame around.

I am sorry this happened to your child

Re: Another teacher issue

I'm sorry, that's so dangerous. I can't believe she would blame it on your son. I think you are well within your rights to request a new teacher at this point.

Everyone gave good advice. Thank god for your neighbor. Thank god your son is safe.

Re: Another teacher issue

Wow !!! I can not even believe the bus driver let him off the bus though ? Don't they have 'face to face" drop off ?

When I taught grades k-2 in the nyc, we had face to face dismissal. If a face that was unfamiliar to us was picking up the child or I didn't locate the usual person picking up the child, they child 'stayed' with me. I could never let the child just run off. I would think that the bus drivers follow the same protocol.

In addition, I don't know what policy that school implements but my children's school has a list that the office generates daily about who goes on the bus, and who gets picked up. I would think they would have a list for children going to a particular afterschool bus.

The teacher should have a list with her at all times, as well as any person that should be checking who is getting on the bus.

I do not like that she is placing blame on your son. Is there supervision by each bus line to make sure the children aren't 'wandering" ? With each child being "checked" off ?

So scary ! So happy your neighbor did the right thing !

Re: Another teacher issue

Not Good - what if your neighbor was not home? Immediate meeting with the Principal followed up with a letter to the Sup and head of Transportation. This is too serious to let anyone slide. There are so many ways this could have gone really bad. Thank God your little one is OK .

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I don't have kids and I think this is NUTS! You are def not overreacting, I would seriously have flipped. SO MUCH could have happened to him, thank goodness your neighbor was home and knew to call you. Shame on that principal, teacher, and bus driver.

Re: Another teacher issue

Thanks all, I do think of the what if's. I just finished meeting with the principal and I am not satisfied but I honestly don't know what would make me feel secure. He started out the meeting by apologizing and saying what happened was unacceptable. He said they are going to be putting a third person in the classroom during dismissal time to assist with dismissal. I said how about double checking that a kid got to the right place. He said that the teacher has lots of lists and she seemed organized but this will never happen again. What pissed me off was then I said to him that he is going on a field trip tomorrow and how am I sure that he is not going to "wander" off. He said " well we can call you when he gets back" I thought that was a really snotty comment. He just seems kinda pompous. He didn't seem to think that what the bus driver did was wrong but I will be calling the transportation deparment. We checked my son's emergency card and my neighbor isn't on there(but I just added her). I don't really know what would make me satisfied. I just keep thinking what if this what if that. And am still appalled that his teacher would blame a 5 year old!

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You met with the principal already, but I would be speaking to the transportation supervisor. The bus driver should be reprimanded for this. I am in a district that has the same rules as you about letting kids off the bus. If a parent/guardian isn't at the stop the child stays on the bus and goes back to the school. At that time the parent is called.


Maybe if you have the same morning and afternoon driver, let him/her know in the morning whether or not he will be on the bus. I try and let my driver know, as to not to wait for them if I will be picking them up. I have picked them up at dismissal and have seen the driver and he as asked me if I was taking them home.

Another teacher issue

I'm sorry but that is totally unacceptable and I am fuming for you. I see you already talked to the principal who made a snarky comment that would have pissssed me off even further but I would try to escalate this. I would also contact the bus company. A 5 YO being dropped off without an adult around. God forbid your neighbor wasn't there. HELLLLL NO!

I know after school dismissal can be chaotic but that in UNACCEPTABLE especially with a child in K. They need to get their shiitt in check. Sorry you had to go through that!

Re: Another teacher issue

Ok, I think your principals response SUX!!!!
Glad to hear that your sons class will have a 3rd assistant. What about the other kids in other classrooms? What about the bus driver who let him off the bus and all the what ifs? Glad to hear he's sorry.
Liz, I would write an email to the principal tonight
Dear mr....
Thank you for our mtg tonight regarding "said incident".
As we discussed, a will be happening, b will be happening as well as c". As this is the first incident on the bus with my son, I am sure the school will make every effort to never let an incident like the one stated above occur again.
Thank you for your time,
X
Then I would cc to the superintendent in Case the principal didn't mark it as a reportable incident.
And file it in your records.
Sorry Liz, I think he took minor steps to make sure this didn't get higher.

Re: Another teacher issue

Oh and tell him to call ALL the parents after the field trip since apparently he thinks that will ensure your sons safety.

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I'm sorry you have to deal with this. I would be so upset at this. I would document every incident from now on and mail it to all higher ups and including the Transportaion department of that school. The bus driver should not have dropped him off. Thank goodness your neighbor was there.

Re: Another teacher issue

This is a SERIOUS issue. Like, I'd be out for someone's head. And I'm a teacher!! Totally unacceptable. I'd be meeting with the superintendent and department of transportation head. This is a safety issue. A kindergartner should have never been let off the bus. My school brings all k-2 back to school if nobody is there for them. It is ultimately the bus drivers fault, IMO but your district has to change this policy.