About Patrick's bus driver...

[simplemom]

I am so disgusted with Patrick's busdriver...

Last week, Patrick is sitting quietly eating his cereal...he tells me in a sad voice--*mommy, I miss the lady busdriver we had last year.*....I ask why...he says that the busdriver yelled at him because his foot was hanging in the middle of the passage of the bus...Patrick said he didn't do it on purpose---I believe him.

Patrick is a quiet boy and who never has troubles anywhere with anyone---believe me, if you'd see him, you would know.

So I called the bus company to complain, but very politly.

This friday, 3 days later...something else happens....but Patrick only tells me at bedtime...in tears, he tries to tell me that he forgot to get up to get off the bus....I'm usually at the bus to meet him, that day, Mathieu was waiting for him at the corner---the bus stops a few seconds and continues....Patrick forgets to get off....a few stops later a group of 6 graders (girls) tell the bus driver that he missed his stop.....

SO, the BUSdri. comes back to get him off on his corner and talks to him loudly that next time he forgets, he will have to walk.

Patrick, explaining me all this, crying hard, tells me he won't know how to get home....He said he didn't cry in the bus---he cried in his head....my poor boy...

And now I understood why all afternoon and evening he would cry for nothing at home, until he told me this.

I am SO MAD! I drove him to school and talked to the principal...I phoned the school commission and I am writing a letter to the bus transport and school commision that if this bus driver stays there, Patrick is no longer taking the bus! My son is terrified of this guy!!!! And 3 weeks ago, another parent had the same problem, her son didn't want to take the bus anymore!

Patrick has turned 7 on sept 9th of this year....he is the youngest of his 2nd grade class. He is also very young for his age, compared to others his own age....he is not agitated in the bus and is a very sweet boy. I have had 4 boys take the bus at that same corner for 10 years and NEVER I have seen a bus driver so abrupt with kids. Plus he is very big and never smiles.

You know what the lady said at the school comission? He won't be changed---he has job security and they will only talk to him---WELL, IMAGINE THAT! Who cares if he scares little kids?!!!

I know this is long, but I needed to share this.
Thank-you for listening and don't feel bad if you didn't read it all....I know I talk too much.

[Ellise]

for Patrick and you Lucie

[nodmicks]

I'm so sorry! I really do sympathise! I'll tell you of our experiences and give some advice if that is ok?!
My oldest is in 6th grade now. We started having bully problems on the bus a few years ago. I complained to the school. They talked to him. He is a big shot in our small town. So nothing really happened. I kept complaining higher and higher.
My youngest son was hit repeatedly and held in a seat my 2 boys. On was his age (7) and the other was 12. My son was sitting behind the driver!
I went to the principal, the bus drivers boss, the superintendant of schools etc. I threatened to file charges against the school . district. The solution was to put cameras on the bus.
Get together with the other parents and keep complaining! Talk to the driver yourself also.
Best of luck!

[Michelle]

Poor little guy. Are you going to drive him now, Lucie? I get so sad hearing about adults bullying kids.

[sixfreds]

We had the same issue, well kind of, the bus driver was going to suspend my son Zachary from the bus. Zachary just turned 6 less tahn 1 month ago.
The 1st incident Zachary was touching the window and the 2nd incident he was sitting the right way, he was kneeling on on foot and he was suppose to sit with his feet down. The bus person called me and said he would be suspended off the bus and offered me parenting advice and then the assistant principal called (who I dislike to begin with) and said we need to talk to Zachary. Well I solved the problem I drive them to and from school, it is a pain BUT I will not allow this driver to pick on my Zachary. My other 2 on the bus never got spoken to even once and I am sure they are not angels on the bus but I have come to find out this bus driver yells a lot and a lot of the other parents have the same issues but I will not let her bully my kids.

Good luck!! I hope the school will do something about your driver.

Eileen

[Dixie]

The poor little guy. and

[Darlene]

Kathy!!!!!!!!!!!We've got a big hairy ole burley bus driver scaring little kids.
If that "driver" doesn't straighten up & fly right a few fathers should pay him a visit.
Hope you can get this straightened out quick Lucie. to you & Patrick.

[Goodwin17]

Oh poor little Patrick. I just want to give him big . I am so sorry this is happening. I only rode the bus a few times as a child, and hated it because of other kids being so wild. I really hope that you can get them straightened out. I agree with Darlene, perhaps some dads should pay that driver a visit! LOL.

[simplemom]

Thanks for your support. I apreciate your advice and good words.

Until the problem is REALLY resolved, I am driving him to and from school. I'm also driving Patrick's little friend and brother---I am friends with their mom and she too has the same problems with her younger one, who is scared of the bus driver....

The Principal told me it wasn't a good idea to drive my son---I was sendign him a message that when something bad happens mommy is there....WELL...excuse me....but when an *adult* scares my son more than once and cannot *speak*, YES, I will be there to make sure it doesn't happen again! Geez! He's ONLY 7!!!

Anyways....does someone here, *understand* such behaviours from certain adults?... I'm just totally confused...are we not in 2004???

[AmyBoz]

I want to cry, this makes me so sad. You drive him to school and don't you worry what the stupid vice-principal lady has to say. I absolutely cannot abide meanness to children. It totally makes me freak out. FREAK OUT! Give that little guy hugs from me.

[pip]

I'm so sorry to hear about your son's experience on the bus. Life is hard enough being a kid, without grown-ups being out of line. I would drive my child to school, too, and I always listen to my kids when they tell me something is wrong. You're a good mom to be advocating for him.

[mom2matty]

for Patrick! That is so awful and I am so sorry that Patrick has to be victimized by this jerk!! We had a problem with a ds's 4th grade teacher last year, she intimidated and humiliated him during class all the time and the school stood by her! I don't understand people sometimes!!!! I really do hope that something is done, your son and the other kids should not have to tolerate that or be afraid to ride the bus!

[Mom23boys]

I am sorry Patrick is having to deal with such a mean spirited bus driver. I wouldn't put him back on the bus until the situation changes. I don't think the vice principal was right. Put her in an uncomfortable place and see if she likes it....or continues to go back?? Would she do that to her own child?

[simplemom]

So far it is going well for me to drive him to school everyday. I got an answer from the school commission and they told me that they just told him to be careful how he speaks to kids. He is staying there--his job is tightly protected. What I can say...

So I will be driving him all year and in fact I am happy to do it. Next year if it's not the same bus driver, Patrick knows he will be taking it again.

I wanted to thank you for your encouragements. It means alot to me. Truly.

[Darlene]

Glad they don't have to deal with that driver & I don't know if your kids talk much when it's just the 2 of you in a car but my son & I had some of our best talks then. Hoping you have those special trips too.