To the parents of school-children who take the yellow schoolbus in NYC (I'm in Queens)?

Question

My 7 year old daughter takes the school bus because my hours changed at work and I can no longer picked her up...I just found out that students can only take the bus up until 2nd grade...how crazy is that?!?  We lived the furthest from the school she is zoned for...she would have to walk almost 11 blocks (almost a mile) and they think this is safe for an eight year old?!?  and what about when it rains, and the snow and ice...She doesn't have older friends she can walk with...I am desperately searching for a car pool service...and to make it worse I thought she would be able to ride the bus with her brother who will be 4 next year and in pre-K and found out that student in pre-K cannot ride the bus?!?  That I don't understand since Pre-K is now a full day.

I think there has to be exceptions to the rule...I know I am upset because it's my daughter but am I wrong in thinking that 11 blocks is to much for an 8-year-old to walk alone and that's including crossing at a major intersection

kj · Accepted Answer

No, you're NOT wrong in thinking that it's not safe for her to walk that far alone.....not in this day and age. I think you need to petition to the school board and insist there need to be exceptions about the bus thing. You ARE the parent here, NOT them. Not to mention the fact that your taxes pay their salary. Be insistent when you talk to them. This isn't only for your child, it could mean more safety for a lot of them.

Too many people these days just accept what their local ISD says, as "law"....and they shouldn't. When you see something that needs to be changed, it's your civic duty to try to do that. Especially when our children are involved.

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To the parents of school-children who take the yellow schoolbus in NYC (I'm in Queens)?

1 Answer