My three kids ride the school bus from hell. It's like the movie Speed. The bus flies! The bus driver is named Mr. Bill. Really. He is old and hard-of-hearing and plays the radio REALLY loud on the bus. And it's that hoochie-coochie music. I know, I sound old. "Hoochie-coochie." But what else do you call it? My five year old daughter likes to sing and has come out with such wonderful examples of musical genius as:
-"I wanna take a ride on your disco stick" and-"I brushed my teeth with a bottle of Jack."
There are others. I've blocked them out though.
I've complained to the transportation manager. I've talked to the bus driver. It's done nothing. My kids have asked for quieter music so they can read, or at least not get headaches from the volume. The bus diver just turns it up. And turns his hearing aid down.
But back to the driving. He speeds through the neighborhood as if he's got the cops after him. And the next bus stop is only down the block. The poor kids have their heads whipping back and forth on their little necks. Sometimes their heads hit the seat in front of them. Sometimes kids fall off the seats when Mr. Bill turns the corners. Our neighborhood has lots of winding roads and loops. It's like a roller coaster. And the ride is long. Too long.
Sometimes when I see the bus come barreling down the street, I want to dive out of the way, because Mr. Bill doesn't apply the brakes until the last possible moment. Nine kids get off at the bus stop that is the end of my driveway. They get off the bus sometimes a little green from Mr. Bill's driving.
Today my 9 year old son B ran inside immediately. And threw up. In the kitchen sink. Poor kid. He was sick from the driving, I think. Oh, but honey, the kitchen sink?! Right next to a dish strainer with lots of freshly cleaned dishes. (*Splashage* Sink area disinfect. Rewash.) And it wasn't in the side with the garbage disposal. On the night Dad is working a night meeting... mini self pity party for the vomit-cleaner-upper.
But he's feeling better. I even made him some homemade applesauce to go with his crackers. MmMm, good.
It just pisses me off that the bus driver seems to keep doing what he's doing. I may be doing some driving of my own soon. It's just tricky with two kids full-day and one kid half-day. And school 20 minutes away, when lights are green.
8 comments:
I think my son had that bus driver in elementary. We complained, we threatened, even had some cop friends arrange to stake out the neighborhood a couple of times, and yes he was WAYYYY over the speed limit but nothing changed. Finally the old guy quit (or died??) The next bus driver looked like the guy from ZZ Top only not so old. Beard down to his waist, even louder more obnoxious music, not sure he could speak. Irritating.
OMG this is terrifying. Really? Complaints do nothing? Maybe a petition with other parents? Go to the school and don't leave until they fix it? I don't think I could live with this. Good luck.
What a frustrating situation! And why is the school not doing something about it? Are they waiting for an accident to happen? Because the way he drives, that seems to be only a matter of time. That would upset me too...
I like Bfiles' idea of a petition from all the parents. There's strength in numbers. Hope you find a resolution soon. Or hear from Tamale and move to DC for training...
The first one is TOTALLY Lady Gaga and the second one is TOTALLY Kesha and HELLO?! Kesha is a musical genius! (Except... not for a five year old. Ahem.)
Before I leave I brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack, 'cause when I leave for the night, I ain't comin' back! I'm talkin' pedicure on my toes (toes), tryin' on all my clothes (clothes)... I LOVE THAT SONG!
Just don't let her sing that other one - Blah Blah Blah - NO NO NO.
They're great for a 36 year old who thinks she's 21 (Ahem!), but they're not good for a 5 year old. So sorry! And even though I love Kesha and all, I would totally have a freak out cow if someone played that stuff for my kids.
And I wish I could wave a magic wand and make the bus driver go away.
The shuttle my kids ride to school is known to run red lights when he thinks no one is watching. I was even on the shuttle one day when he did that. Thankfully, my kids say it doesn't happen very often. I guess we either have to accept that things are that way, or just start driving them to school....Sad that you have to possibly take that option! You'd think someone driving kids around would realize they are precious cargo!!
Aaaaaccchhhhh!!!! Are you serious! I am over here millions of miles away from your bus driver and his horribleness (not as a person, just as a driver...nobody's judging anyone) and screaming at him! But you're right...it doesn't do any good. He's not listening!
ADA said she'd wave a magic wand and make the bus driver go away. I'd wave a magic wand too but mine would bring you the moxy necessary to raise the ruckus needed to do whatever it takes to MAKE it safer for the kids. (If you haven't already read "Perlman Update" and some school safety issues she took on I'd encourage you to do so. She inspires us all to speak loud and bang on the counter once in awhile 'til we're heard). Because honestly, none of us wants to read about another school bus accident when we can do what's needed to prevent one.
NKL
Oh, I do love some Ke$ha, for sure. You and me, K, we can go clubbing any time. Maybe our spouses can grieve together over the children they spend their lives with...
Okay, maybe just my spouse can grieve...
We've been lucky with the buses our kids ride. I would think contacting the police might be a good idea - ask them to watch for speeders in the neighborhood, esp. the bus! I had a giggle the other day... altho I repressed it, trying to be tactful... I was riding with 9-10yos on a field trip, The driver had on some pop music. The kids didn't like it. Some girls started singing music with questionable lyrics, and although the mom made them stop, the driver switched the radio to a Arabic prayer/music channel and ignored the whining for the rest of the trip. Good for him!
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