need advice on school bus incident

MOM23ANGELS · 10-03-2005, 09:02 PM

hi all,

i haven't posted in a while but have been lurking. i need some advice regarding the school bus aid on my son's bus. my son has been riding with the same company since last year and i never had a problem......until recently. the aid on my son's bus is expressionless. NEVER looks happy, I would even say mad most days. i let it go since the beginning of the school year (giving her the chance to change) but nothing. never says good morning to me or worse never greets my son. today i decided to confront her by asking "do you ever smile?" she replies "yes, do YOU ever smile?" and walks away from me. I was soooo angry for letting the bus driver take off after that negative comment (with my son on the bus). after i calmed down a bit, i called my husband who told me i shouldn't of acted this way,because we are entrusting our son to these women and what if they take out any frustration on him.

so, even though i was going to hate every minute of it, i decided to apologize when my son was being dropped off this afternoon. well, this same aid, who is suppose to walk my son off the bus,just let him get off on his own. Obviously,wanting to avoid any other confrontation with me.

so here is my question, should i call the bus company owner and complain to him and ask for a new driver for my son or should i just eat crow and apologize (for my son's sake).

i just don't understand why people choose to take jobs like this if their hearts arn't into it.

PinkPiglet · 10-03-2005, 10:24 PM

Hmmm, I'm wondering if she has Aspergers herself. Emotionless, doesn't smile, no people skills... In that case she wouldn't be in the perfect job but it makes me wonder.

Jeannie

momofchris · 10-03-2005, 10:29 PM

Hi I am in the same boat as you. Chris had a wonderful bus driver for 2 years always smiling etc. We moved this year and his new driver is so stonefaced. It bugged me big time because I was so used to the sweet driver. If your son is fine I would personally not say anything. I was going to report his driver but chris is nonverbal and I wouldn't know if the driver took it out on Chris. As long as I see Chris smiling I am happy. Good Luck

Julie

off kilter · 10-04-2005, 05:41 AM

After 25 years of having a child on special needs buses there are a couple of things I've learned. The #1 is to document everything. Most of the time my children have had some kind of a notebook going back and forth between school and home and each day I write pick up and drop off times. I also write any problems or good things that happen involving the staff on the bus. If your not comfortable doing it in such a public way you can keep notes privatly on a calendar. If you have any concerns or find you feel the bus staff is doing a good job, there are three steps 1 call your Towns Special Education office. 2 call your sons school,3 call the bus company. making sure to keep notes on the who,when and what was discussed. I have found over the years dealing with special needs bus companies and staff can be the most stressful part of having a special needs child.

MOM23ANGELS · 10-04-2005, 08:33 PM

i called and complained to the bus company today. i requested that my son be put on a different bus because i no longer feel comfortable with the current situation. the supervisor apologized for the aides behavior but could not guarantee that she would be replaced. in that case, we (my husband and myself) decided that i would drive my son to school from now on. ughhhhh! why is nothing ever easy.