A general question about schools--- (Cary: neighborhood, middle school, gated)

[Jsciusco]

My son has never taken a school bus before. We have always driven him to our school. Moving to Cary and I think we will either end up at Alston Ridge or Mills Park Elementaries. I remember how WILD the school buses were when I was a kid. I remember kids getting teased and their things taken and passed around, "keep away" with a lunch box. I dread this. My child is not assertive, he is small for his grade. this has been on my mind. can anyone share their child's elementary school experience in this regards? does this happen a lot? buses don't have matrons, right?

[twingles]

My kids haven't had too much trouble with the buses here. THe bus drivers usually seat them in order of their grades - so the little ones are up front.

We had some shenanigans with the 5th graders last year, but that's to be expected with them all congregated in the back of the bus.

This year our elementary and middle school kids are riding together and I haven't heard of any problems. Of course they get picked up at 6:40 a.m. so most of them are probably too tired to cause any trouble.

There is always the potential for issues any place kids are together, whether it's the bus, playground, cafeteria or whatever. So you may have something come up in all your child's school years....but nothing that can't be dealt with.

[Jsciusco]

Thank you Twingles. I have a 4th grader. So he will be towards the back if they are seated by grade. This makes me apprehensive- my other worry is that he will get off at the wrong stop and not know where the heck he is.

[MB1972]

We live in an area close to where you will be. We haven't had any problems on the bus. If your son meets a friend in the neighborhood or in his class he will likely end up sitting with that same person each day which is what my son does. He should be fine.

[twingles]

Your child will likely be on the bus with kids only from his neighborhood. My kids are literally on the bus with kids from about 2 surrounding streets. I wouldn't worry too much. Most kids seem to find it easy to keep to themselves if they so wish. Like pp said he'll find a like-minded kid to sit with and be fine.

I am more than sure that a 4th grader is capable of getting off at the correct stop

[shellsd]

My son has been riding since he was in Kindergarten, first at our base and now going to a magnet and there were no shenanigans on either bus at all. Ms. Lucas is his current driver and she will pull that bus right over and not let anything go on. She'll also not let my son off unless either me, daddy, or grandma is there to pick him up. On the rare occasion I have gotten stuck in traffic and been late, she has called me on my cell. If I was really close she would wait, otherwise she would finish the route and then go back to my stop and wait for me to get there. I can't imagine they are all like this but we have had great luck so far.

[RedZin]

Mine have never had bus troubles.

[raleighjayne]

We've never had any bus problems either. Mine have ridden since K and they are in 9th & 7th now.

[Jsciusco]

thanks all. I was worrying that all of the stops would look unfamiliar and he would not recognize our neighborhood (at least in begining)

[Jennifergo]

Note that Mills Park is one of the schools that the BOE is considering capping due to overcrowding. Alston Ridge is the overflow school. Just something to keep in mind.

2 kids that have riden the bus for 5 years... no problems.