Public Schools Suck

I'm so steamed, I'm writing a rant on ATS.

So my high school'er rides the public transport system to get to her High School in the city we live. The High School's don't provide school transportation. Usually on warmer, milder days - she just walks the 2 miles to school, but with the sub-zero temperatures in the morning - she has been taking the public transportation - which is a godsend.

Well the buses dropped my child off at school at 6:35 am in the morning, and the High School allowed several dozen children to stand out in the the frigid weather until 7:05 am. Needless to say - I was furious when she came home upset and told me about it.

When I called the school - I was given the principle. I told her my concerns - and informed her that allowing children to stand in that weather for more than 5 minutes (sub-zero temps) is flirting with hypothermia. She proceeds to tell me that, not her problem. That she can't help it if the public transport drops them off to early - and that it isn't cost effective to open the doors for a handful of children who were dropped off to early. Something about them needing to go through the metal detectors. As though I'm not aware of the Atrium they allow the kids to wait in before lifting the gates to the metal detectors further inside beyond the Atrium.



I blew my top. I told her, "I don't want to hear excuses, I want to know that you are going to provide shelter for my child the moment she is dropped off on school grounds in sub-zero temperatures, as you become responsible for her well being and care". (It would be a non issue if it was warm outside. Let them wait, then. But not in this weather!)

She said, "Mama, what's your name and your daughters name?"



I said, "Don't worry - CPS will have her and my name, since you obviously don't have the welfare of my child ahead of cost effectiveness."

I asked my grade school'ers - did you go out to recess today? "No, we had to go to the gym. It's too cold to go outside today." At least I know the elementary school has the welfare of my children paramount in their mind.

CdT

a reply to: CirqueDeTruth

Maybe arriving late to school would be an option?? Maybe take an later bus? and discuss with the principal and get a note saying since you won;'t open the doors my child is going to arrive late when doors do open.

Eh...the school isn't necessarily responsible for your child "the moment" she's dropped off. Otherwise you could drop her off at 4 in the morning and claim the school is now responsible for her. I understand that the lack of school bus complicates things, but it doesn't automatically shift responsibility to the school. Just like if you were to not pick her up in the evening, it's not the school's responsibility to take care of her all night.

I would encourage you to look at the school's handbook. It will most likely spell out at what time the school will open the doors and what time the doors close. My kids' school flat refuses to open the doors before a certain time, and states so in several different places.

a reply to: American-philosopher

CPS informed me to tell my child to call the police if it happens again, while they review the case and determine if it needs to be looked into.

Under the Child Protection Act - Part Two letters (i) and (ii) - it is neglect to fail to provide adequate shelter to a child. A public school system doesn't get to skirt the law.

She wouldn't go for that anyways. She's a straight A student. The tardiness would affect her grade in her first hour. She also informs me, when I shared your post with her - there is no second bus that goes to the High School - it's her only ride. If she misses it - she'd have to walk and I won't let her walk in this weather that distance.

I miss my van.



CdT

a reply to: CirqueDeTruth



Under the Child Protection Act - Part Two letters (i) and (ii) - it is neglect to fail to provide adequate shelter to a child. A public school system doesn't get to skirt the law.


That most likely only takes effect after the child enters the school. Showing up before the school is open is not their responsibility. Just like after she has left the school.

a reply to: Shamrock6

Once she is dropped off by the transportation the school has arranged for the students - yes - she is their responsibility.

Now dropping her off at 4 am - would be MY negligence - which I would never do. Obviously. However, once she is on that bus (part of their scheduling - the school transportation works with the public transit to get high school children to school) and arrives on school grounds - they are most definitely responsible for her well being. They are well aware of when the students get dropped off - and well aware of the temperatures outside.

CdT

a reply to: CirqueDeTruth

You said the school doesn't provide transportation.

Now you're saying the school arranged the transportation. Which is it? If the school has "arranged" for transportation, then they are providing it. Whether it's on a school bus or otherwise.

If the school has arranged for it, how did they arrange for it? Did they say "here's a bus schedule if you want to ride the bus" or did they say "we've set up a bus to get you to school and then back home and you are obligated to ride it."

a reply to: Shamrock6

The system is set up through the school and public transportation system - for students whose parents don't own a vehicle. Like myself. If I had vehicle, I'd be disqualified from using the bus system for my kids and would be responsible for getting them there and picking them up myself. My middle school'er is also, picked up from a designated bus stop for middle school students to use to get to school. It's not a yellow school bus. Only my grade school children are directly picked up by a school bus from my house and taken to school. The older children must walk to their designated stops. It's a public transportation vehicle - that is there for students whose parents can't drive them in. In order for her to use the system, I had to apply, stating the reason why she needs to use it. I.E. I don't have a car to provide the transportation myself.

They are responsible for my children, the moment they exit that bus.

CdT

a reply to: CirqueDeTruth

Then yes, since they offer alternative transportation they are, most likely, responsible for the kids who use it. Unless there was a stipulation in the arrangement stating they weren't opening the school early and/or keeping it open late for kids that utilize alternative transportation.

Your first post, which elicited my response, made it sound as if the use of the bus was voluntary due to the way you worded it.

The devil is in the details.

a reply to: Shamrock6

Yes it is. LOL.

I'm frustrated because if it was a yellow bus, they'd likely be able to sit on the bus and stay warm until the doors open.

Cosmicspirit (my daughter) says that because it's a public transit bus - they can't wait on the bus until the doors open at school, because the bus needs to go on to it regular route for adults. Adults cannot get on and ride with the high school'ers and middle school'ers - so when they get them to the schools - they are told "get off" so that they can keep their regular route schedules.

Which is fine - just let them inside the school so they are not standing out in 0 degree weather for 30 minutes.

I feel better venting though. Thank you all for listening to me spew my vitriol.

CdT

I'm with you a hundred percent and my advice would be not to send your children to the public indoctrination system to begin with.

Once they are old enough to read and write (which is quite easy to teach, mine were doing both before preschool age) it is easy enough to give them assignments and put them (virtually) on auto pilot. Without the social stresses and pressures applied at the Public school system your emotionally and mentally healthy child will learn faster than you can imagine.

Of course this works best if you don't allow the children to be indoctrinated by the U.S. department of propaganda known most commonly as the t.v. and radio or mainstream media.

a reply to: CirqueDeTruth

I understand your frustration. And after you explained it a little better I can definitely see where you're coming from on it. I do hope that it gets resolved to your satisfaction.

I wish I had a spare car to give you!

And lol at Johnny

May I recommend some gloves, a scarf, a wooly hat & a big warm coat...


Then sue them for negligence.


You'd be surprised how quickly people change their tune when they hear the word "lawyer"!

a reply to: johnnyBgood

I usually star everyone who posts in my threads, whether I agree with their sentiment or not.

However, your post offends me.

I've spoken directly with Skeptic Overlord and many of the mods on this site. Your post is bullsnip and you have no idea what your talking about. If you don't like it here, don't let the door hit you on your arse exiting the site.

CdT

a reply to: CharlieSpeirs

And dress in layers. Layers are good.

As for using that dirty word "lawyer," I wouldn't use it unless you're absolutely ready to go that route. Believe me, you won't be the first to threaten them. They'll be willing to call your bluff if you're not ready to back it up!

I meant to quote Charlie and reply to Cirque. My bad. Oh, and loved your comment to Johnny lol

a reply to: CharlieSpeirs

Well, I've already filed a report with CPS and called the Board of Education. She does have the bundle up gear for waiting at the bus stop and walking home from the bus stop.

I wish she'd have mentioned it to me sooner, as her continuing colds and just generally not feeling well this winter - now makes more sense. We'd thought it might have been all her shots (flu, mmr, etc) she needed for boosters - as she does the medical career over at her skill center and they are required for her to do clinicals at the hospital. Now I'm pretty sure it's being exposed to frigid temperatures continually every day of the week since the weather turned bitter the first week of January. I've been worried, as my other three kids haven't been as sick as she this winter. She's temped out at 100.4 degrees right now. If it crawls up any higher I'll be calling EMT to take her to the emergency room. I think the continued morning bouts of mild hypothermia may be weakening her immune system to fight off infections.

Grrrr. Just thinking about it gets me hot under the collar again.

I've never sued anyone in my life. Even in those situations I've had a case for it, I've never been able to do it. I'm comfortable with contacting who I've contacted. Hopefully they will resolve the issue with no further legal actions needing to be taken. I wouldn't even know where to start.

CdT

a reply to: CirqueDeTruth
What exactly about my post was offensive to you? If the truth offends you then you offend me. There now we are even.


Also I didn't comment to be popular, (s&f) obviously. The truth isn't popular because of the indoctrination systems that I have already mentioned.

Truth trumps everything to me, even and especially popularity. No wonder you can't solve your own problems.

Since popularity is so important to you, I took the flag back that I gave you.

a reply to: CirqueDeTruth

Good luck with your progress Cirque...

Hope your daughter feels better as soon as possible...
& if the temp persists definitely get her checked out.

The whole situation seems rather bizarre to me. It seems odd that the school doesn't bus in high school kids, that they would contract out to public transportation and not allow others on the buses, and that a school that doesn't provide school buses would have metal detectors.

It also seems absurd to not let them into the building if it's that cold out if someone is actually there and they know when the bus will be dropping the kids off. You would think whoever had the bright idea to contract the city buses would have realized dropping kids off that early is a bad idea for a multitude of reasons, especially with temperatures that dip that low.

I was a little confused what the issue was as I thought your daughter just rode the bus and the school had nothing to do with it. If they do in fact have something to do with it I would be pissed too.

Until this all gets sorted out do you think it would be possible to have someone that does drive take your daughter and maybe a few of the others? If I were a parent and aware of this being a problem I would make my kid go pick up others as part of being allowed to have their own car. If I was driving my kid I wouldn't have a problem leaving 10 minutes early and picking people up either.

I'm assuming you can't just go get a car or buy her a car, that would obviously be the easiest solution until things are sorted. Good luck, I have a feeling this won't be changing as fast as it should.