Do You Drive Your Children to and From their Public School? (Marshall: renting, crimes)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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Mcfamilyof4,
I don't know where you're going to be living, but at least in Chapel Hill there is what is considered the "walk zone" to a school (it's about a mile I think). There is no bus service within that distance, which can be tough if you live close to the one mile out mark (hard to walkyour elementary student in mid-winter with tiny siblings along), so it's often car is the only option. On the upside, at least in Chapel Hill, you cannot be redistricted if you are within the walk zone.
I am sitting here chuckling because I totally agree with what you said. I always say the biggest expert on any topic is the person who has NEVER actually experienced the topic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HollyMarshall
Usually it's the parents that say, "it depends". Those with all the black and white answers don't have kids or they'd know that's not how it works!
Times have changed. I too, rode the bus and walked to get to school. However, if my parents had a known the freaks and weirdos I came across on a regular basis, they would not have allowed it. I have personally seen children snatched in broad daylight on 3 seperate occasions in different areas of the country in the last 14 years. I have 3 children and I not only drive their butts to school but the eldest two carry cell phones when out of my sight unless I am in in the building and it isn't too big. My son is 14 and is not allowed to walk anymore since being jumped by 6 boys in front of the crossing guard who is not allowed to "Do" anything. We live in a mild area compared to where I grew up but it is still dangerous. Most parents feel the same way I do. The people in charge (teachers, bus drivers, etc) are so scared of lawsuits that they have no recourse to stop something if they need to. They wait for the police or resource officer to show up and by that time, the problem has elivated to something horrible. We had a bus driver in the area drive onto a RR track and kill half the bus including her own kid, another was driving under the influence and yet another forgot a kid, parked the bus and went home. So, no, my kids don't ride the bus. Sometimes, I even drive for field trips if I don't know the driver. As for walking, my town doesn't have sidewalks or bike lanes. Not kid friendly, pedestrian friendly or family friendly. If I do let my kids out alone, they are with large groups of friends and have a cell.
Some people would say I shelter my kids too much but what kind of parents don't shelter their kids from the bad things of this world until they are able to handle the problem themselves?
I drive my girls to school in the morning because it works best for us, but most afternoons they take the bus home.
My oldest rode the bus to school as a kindergartner in Massachusetts and we had no problems with that.
When we lived in Southern Village, my girls rode their bikes or walked to school.
So I guess we have covered all the bases
I also find it funny that one of the most opinionated posters on this board in regards to "how education should work, and why it doesn't really matter which school your child goes to" freely admits he has no children of his own
We are settling on our home in cary/apex next month and I was very happy to see that my first grader's school is only 1/2 mile away. There is no bussing option for me-- we'll be walking, biking or driving. I know this can change, but right now I am content in knowing that I will be watching her get to and from school safely. In this day and age there is no such thing as being too overprotective of your elementary age children.
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Liz
