Those w/SN youngsters who take the bus, a ?

andreas4dogs · February 2010

I am not sure what to make of this situation:

Gabe started full day in the public school yesterday. The past couple of days I am driving / picking him up because the bus doesn't pick him up until tomorrow.

I just learned that he will be picked up on a large bus with kids up to 5th grade. He is 3. He will be on the bus for 45 minutes. I was initially told by the school (and they have been wonderful with EVERYTHING) that he would only take the bus with the other SN children who attend this preschool class (and it would be a small bus).

When he is picked up he will be on a small bus with only the other SN preschoolers.

I am very apprehensive about him taking a large bus with so many children (and age ranges). I spoke to the transport coordinator (not associated with the schools) and she seemed even pissy that I asked if there would be an aide on the bus (there is, but it doesn't make me feel any better).

Should I just let him take the bus in the morning? Should I contact my caseworker (who is wonderful & answered all my questions) and see what she has to say? Should I just drive him to school?

Thanks for any advice.

duchess0727 · February 2010

I would definitely contact your caseworker and ask about it and see if this is the only option. I'd also want to find out what other kids your son's age will be on the bus and how many kids the aide is responsible for. I would be very overwhelmed by my 3 year old going on a large bus with older kids. I'm sure he will be fine but I think I'd feel more comfortable just knowing all of the information and maybe having a chance to talk to the aide. How has his first few days gone?

andreas4dogs · February 2010

Thank you. I will call my case worker. He is in school right now, but his teacher had nothing but positive things to say about his first day!!!

BTW, you are literally two towns over from me!!!

duchess0727 · February 2010

That's great that it's going so well! What town are you in? I love that picture of Gabe - it is so cute! And I'm so impressed he's out in the snow since my son hates the snow and cries for the most of the time we are outside that it's too cold

andreas4dogs · February 2010

You have some really cute kids yourself! Your daughter's smile can melt a room I see!

I am in South River, right next to East Brunswick.

Gabe likes to walk in the snow but makes a big deal if anything gets wet where it shouldn't, lol...hard to explain. I think he is a bit OCD like his mommy!

duchess0727 · February 2010

Oh it's definitely the age - my son has to change his pants if he gets a single drop of water on them (and this happens a lot when you are his age!) At home we refuse but at daycare, they give in so everyday he comes home in new pants.

We eat at River Thai on Main St all the time - it's one of our favorite restaurants and they are very kid friendly. Eventually when we buy a bigger house, it'll probably be in East Brunswick, so we'll be even closer.

akimbo · February 2010

i would definately ask for clarificaiton as to why the change in bussing for the morning and that there is an aide and car seat. If there isn't an aide there's no way I'd send him on that bus.

45 minutes seems like a VERY long bus ride - is it also 45 min in the afternoon? Let us know what happens.

JenGK · February 2010

DS takes the bus to his SN preschool class, which is at a "regular" elementary school. He takes the SN bus in the morning, which services all SN kids at the elementary school level. There is an aide on the bus, and he is the first pick-up at 8 in the morning. His ride is probably 45 minutes long. He loves it, and gets very excited for the ride each morning. His first day was tough, but now he runs out to meet the bus and tries to walk up the steps on his own.

lolc · February 2010

My son takes a big yellow bus to school. There are two aides on the bus. They gave me a special "bus" carseat that we hand to them everyday when he gets on the bus, and they give it back to me when he gets off the bus in the afternoon (it's a regular booster seat, but has harness straps on it too). The aides on his bus are there for him and I think one other SN child. The aides sit with (or near) the kids and keep an eye on them.

I think you should let him take the bus - maybe in the morning get on the school bus for a moment to see what they do.... where they seat him, and if the aide sits next to him or not. If you're not happy with the arrangement you see on the bus, then if you are more comfortable with it, drive him.

andreas4dogs · February 2010

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the responses.

After speaking with my case worker, I said I was undecided on the morning bus. I spoke to the bus driver (she called me back) and I informed her about my concerns and I would call if I decided not to put him on the bus. When I did call back (I was going to have him take the afternoon bus to start) apparently I was taken off the route because of my concerns (I was unaware of this...)

I will definitely call my case worker tomorrow and get him on the afternoon bus, at least...not sure why my whole route was cancelled when I was undecided?

My husband is not as apprehensive as I am to put Gabe on the morning bus, but trusts me in this dept. It just seems like a lot of children and only one aid.

I will have to find out if I can get him back on the afternoon bus.

He is doing really well in school (the first couple of days) but today I received a note that he kept asking for 'mama' and 'dada' so that is another reason not to keep him away from me so long...maybe I am just overreacting.

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