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My husband and I recently moved into my stepson's more expensive school district so we could take advantage of bus transportation for him in the afternoons now that he is in 8th grade and can stay at home safely (we work in RTP and Durham, respectively). We learned on Monday that he is not officially eligible to ride the bus to and from our house since his formal "registered address" is his mother's address.
We have learned from a few folks that he should just get on the bus and go--that this is not that uncommon and that generally it will not be scrutinized. Others have said we need to formally work something out with the school (with his mother's assistance in that). The transportation department said it is school board policy that he is only allowed to ride one bus--and we would have to go through a formal appeal process. (I'm sure this is the party line)
Are there any others in similar situations? What did you do?
I think taking it up with the school principal might be somewhere to start. Your case makes sense, but those policies are in place due to some kind of past incidents, and nobody is going to violate policy without "permission".
OTOH, "just getting on the bus" seems like it would work; too. It's not as if drivers have a roster of who rides the bus, do they? (My school bus days were 30+ years ago). Once the bus driver recognized him, it doesn't seem like it would even come up. But, if you wanted to make it "official", get something in writing from someone at the school.
I think taking it up with the school principal might be somewhere to start. Your case makes sense, but those policies are in place due to some kind of past incidents, and nobody is going to violate policy without "permission".
OTOH, "just getting on the bus" seems like it would work; too. It's not as if drivers have a roster of who rides the bus, do they? (My school bus days were 30+ years ago). Once the bus driver recognized him, it doesn't seem like it would even come up. But, if you wanted to make it "official", get something in writing from someone at the school.
I would definitely take it up with the principal or the transpoortation coordinator for that area. The Drivers definitely know who is supposed to be on the bus. At least they did back in 1980 when I had a similar arrangement due to divorced parents in Wake County, so I am sure that 30 years later they are even more careful about it.
Being a high school student I wouldn't suggest the get on and go method. The first day they have a roster and from then on more or less remember who's on the bus. My driver never cared if I brought a friend (asked him first) but when I tried to ride a friends bus (way more packed than my bus) I got the boot.
I would talk to the principle. I had more absences than allowed (due to surgery) which would theoretically make you fail all of the classes but we filed an appeal and he was understanding.
I agree you need to work it out w/ someone in the school or district. Not only may the bus driver notice a new face on the bus, but I'm sure they only stop at whatever addresses they are given by transportation. I'm sure it'd be a red flag if your stepson was like "Hey, sir, can you drop me off here?".
Thanks, everyone, for the responses. I was a little nervous about going the "wing it" route, to tell you the truth -- if it were me, I would be fine with it and play dumb if busted, but I wouldn't want my stepson to get caught in a jam.
Interestingly we scoured the full student handbook he received at school on WEdnesday, and there is a sentence in there about getting the principal's permission to ride another bus. Nowhere on the WCPSS site does it say anything about this, or even state the school board "policy" that the Transportation Department told me was applicable.
It seems like the school system really tries to hide the ball with bus stuff. They won't really tell you what you need to do--I"m glad I didn't just file a formal appeal on the form they suggested. My husband will just get a quick meeting w/the principal (along with his ex), and he'll hopefully agree that stepson can ride to our house on the days he is with us (which is almost half the time).
Thanks, everyone, for the responses. I was a little nervous about going the "wing it" route, to tell you the truth -- if it were me, I would be fine with it and play dumb if busted, but I wouldn't want my stepson to get caught in a jam.
Exactly, it could put him in an embarrassing situation if he isn't comfortable with "playing dumb." This seems like one of those situations where you wonder whether in practice everyone ignores the 'rules' and if the honest person gets penalized for being honest.
I would be inclined to do exactly what you suggest. And if I were the principal, I would definitely grant your request. It's completely reasonable.
My child has been riding the bus for 6 years and the driver always has a list at the beginning of the year with who is supposed to be on the bus. The drivers quickly learn the names and faces and what stops they get on and off. I wouldn't risk embarassing a child that age by playing dumb.
If you go to the WCPSS website look under the Board of Education section. There is a section on Policies. I know there is something there about getting permission to have bus service even if you don't technically qualified. I've looked it up for a friend. I have friends who have gotten permission for their kids to ride buses that the kids should not have been on. Start with the principal. Good luck.
<>I'm sorta surprised that students can just get on a bus. We haven't bar coded their foreheads and then scan them along the way - sorta like UPS does?
Frank
It's a little chip behind the ear. You can feel the lump.
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