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Post by momto4 on Aug 20, 2009 16:53:15 GMT -5
Update from Brooks. I'm glad they're keeping us posted, but it's too bad that some of these issues remain unresolved. How are things at the other elementary schools? ============================================
Thanks again to our parents for being flexible and understanding as we work our way through busing issues. Brooks Community - here is some follow-up information for you. 1. Students that live in Butterfield that were not picked up this morning: We identified all students and arranged for an extra bus to take these students home this afternoon. The bus company has advised me that they will send an extra bus to this area tomorrow morning. My advice to you at this time is to have your children go to the bus stops that they used last year on Friday morning. The extra bus will cycle through the neighborhood to pick up the students. I would suggest that students get to stops around 8:20 am. This bus issue is not officially resolved yet in the online system, but I have been assured that a bus will cycle through the neighborhood in the morning. If your child has not been picked up by 8:50 am tomorrow, please contact us. 2. Students in the Eola section of our attendance area: We have not confirmed busing arrangements for the Eola area. For the short term, please try to make alternate arrangements for your child to walk or be dropped at circle drive on Friday. As soon as we get word that the route has been determined, I will notify you. 3. Students in the section of Stonebridge that were not picked up this morning: I have not been given any indication that the bus routing issue in the neighborhood is resolved. I have been told that it is in process. My recommendation is that your children walk to school tomorrow or be dropped at circle drive, as I do not expect buses to cycle through the neighborhood in the morning. Again, if it is resolved, I will inform you immediately. 4. ALL PARENTS - please make sure that you periodically check the bus route site over the weekend. I know that it is an inconvenience, but I would not want a last minute change to take anyone by surprise. Please make sure that your children are aware of what bus they ride this year (not necessarily the same as last year). Thanks - we're looking forward to a great day of learning tomorrow!
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Post by momto4 on Aug 21, 2009 7:18:02 GMT -5
MVHS bus arrived exactly on time at our stop, and kept on going without picking up my waiting student!! Today - bus on time and stopped! Awesome.
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Post by gatordog on Aug 21, 2009 8:32:39 GMT -5
Big problems elsewhere, still.
Our WV bus was no-show again. So students had to get ride.
I went over to bus stop and waited, just to see if a bus ever came. And one did....two minutes before start of school.
I spoke with the driver. The driver said her bus filled up halfway through route, and since she was at capacity, she had to take them to school. Then she came back, to finish her route and see if any students were left, which are her instructions.
Obviously, this route was not planned well. They will have to add a second bus here due to capacity.
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Post by warriormom on Aug 21, 2009 9:11:08 GMT -5
Big problem here in White Eagle (IMO thaT is ....For the past 12 years the high school bus has always picked up on our street (an interior street) about 5 houses down from our home. THIS YEAR , for some unknown reason (cough cough; cost savings) , the stop is now down the street, and around the corner. My son has to cross White Eagle Drive to get to the bus stop. Granted, I realize he is almost 15 BUT for those that are not familiar with White Eagle Drive....it is a heavily traveled main road in White Eagle and is especially busy with traffic at 6:30 a.m. when residents are leaving for work. AND, once winter arrives it will be dark when these kids are dodging traffic. And there were (as others have indicated) 4 to a seat on my son's bus! UNACCEPTABLE! #1 ADD MORE BUSES #2 INCLUDE INTERIOR STREET IN THE ROUTES AGAIN
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Post by WeNeed3 on Aug 21, 2009 9:13:14 GMT -5
I just don't get it. First Student did better plotting stuff when no one really knew which bus to ride or which stop to be at. Now everyone is assigned a stop. Why can't someone count and see the buses are overfilled?
ETA: Until this gets worked out, they really should have two buses following each other at those problem areas so no one gets left behind or rides dangerously.
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Post by momto4 on Aug 21, 2009 9:48:26 GMT -5
23 grade-schoolers boarded the bus at our stop this morning. I worry that is too many kids to be hanging out on a corner in the mornings. I know the stops were close together before, but it seems like it would be worthwhile to add a stop or two.
Yes, I am glad that a bus actually showed up. Yesterday went smoothly for the grade school bus except that it arrived home about 30 minutes later than the scheduled time.
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Post by asmodeus on Aug 21, 2009 10:25:07 GMT -5
I wonder what First Student's thoughts are on all of this. Is it common practice for a school district to take control over the routes? If it's not, could there be some resentment toward the SD? While it would be speculative to accuse them of being less than helpful while we go through the bus route learning curve, it doesn't seem that farfetched that they would shrug their shoulders and basically say, "We told you this was a mistake."
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Post by momto4 on Aug 21, 2009 15:16:43 GMT -5
According to the Brooks principal, updates are being made and routes should be good on Monday morning. We were advised to check the website about our bus stops.
I went to the district website and found this in place of the link: THE BUS ROUTE SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY DOWN FOR UPGRADING. IT WILL BE BACK ONLINE THIS EVENING.
I hope that what they put up there next will be significantly better than what's been there so far.
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Post by deblvs17 on Aug 21, 2009 16:26:16 GMT -5
Question: Can our children go to a different stop that's actually closer to our house than the ones the district assigned?
Also, how in the world did this bus fiasco get so screwed up?!! It's a simple math problem---#of kids vs. capacity.
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Arwen
Master Member
Posts: 933
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Post by Arwen on Aug 21, 2009 16:39:03 GMT -5
I think you are ok to board at a different stop as long as it is the same bus number.
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Post by momto4 on Aug 21, 2009 16:55:53 GMT -5
I have been called by a reporter doing a story about the bus situation. If you or anyone you know would be willing to e-mail or call her this evening, please PM me for the contact info.
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Post by gatordog on Aug 24, 2009 8:14:51 GMT -5
The WV bus to my neighborhood.....on time today. And enough space for the 2nd-to-last stop to fit.
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Post by momto4 on Aug 25, 2009 8:36:36 GMT -5
23 grade-schoolers boarded the bus at our stop this morning. I worry that is too many kids to be hanging out on a corner in the mornings. I know the stops were close together before, but it seems like it would be worthwhile to add a stop or two. Yes, I am glad that a bus actually showed up. Yesterday went smoothly for the grade school bus except that it arrived home about 30 minutes later than the scheduled time. Monday's count was 30 kids at our stop. And the driver doesn't want the kids to stand on the sidewalk near the street, so told them to stand in our yard instead. The bus has been late by 30, 25, and 30 minutes coming home so far.
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Arwen
Master Member
Posts: 933
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Post by Arwen on Aug 26, 2009 10:03:20 GMT -5
The issues on my bus route have been resolved, but they haven't all been. Here's a message from the Brook's principal. 5th day of school and kids are STILL not being picked up.
Good Morning Brooks Bus #9 Families, Regretfully, our morning Bus #9 did not run for the second day in a row. This occurred after I assured our Bus #9 parents that I expected the issues to be resolved today. I would like to once again apologize to our families in the Bus #9 area. At this time, I am confident that Bus #9 will be here after school today. I cannot say with confidence that I know that Bus #9 will pick students up in the morning. If I get that assurance today, I will contact our families immediately. Expect communication from me later today one way or the other. I have already contacted District Supervisors about this morning's issue and am waiting to hear back at this time. Please know that I understand and share frustration about this bus, and also greatly appreciate the patience from our families about the situation. Regards, Dave Younce
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Post by justvote on Aug 26, 2009 14:33:29 GMT -5
The issues on my bus route have been resolved, but they haven't all been. Here's a message from the Brook's principal. 5th day of school and kids are STILL not being picked up. Good Morning Brooks Bus #9 Families, Regretfully, our morning Bus #9 did not run for the second day in a row. This occurred after I assured our Bus #9 parents that I expected the issues to be resolved today. I would like to once again apologize to our families in the Bus #9 area. At this time, I am confident that Bus #9 will be here after school today. I cannot say with confidence that I know that Bus #9 will pick students up in the morning. If I get that assurance today, I will contact our families immediately. Expect communication from me later today one way or the other. I have already contacted District Supervisors about this morning's issue and am waiting to hear back at this time. Please know that I understand and share frustration about this bus, and also greatly appreciate the patience from our families about the situation. Regards, Dave YounceI commend your principal for being so open with parents about these issues. His communication to you has been outstanding. On the flip side, I have "heard" there have been some bus issues with my elementary school, but we have never received any type of communication on the bussing issues.
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