First Grade Girl....

[Janet]

I have a first grade girl that rides my bus. She's a cute little redhead, but is being raised by morons. She lives with her aunt, mother and her aunt and mother's step-father, whom she calls Dad.

These girls (aunt and mother) walk the county roads in search of men who will take them into the woods and well, let's say they are not hunting for mushrooms. None of them work and the place they live in smells from the road. It's horrible. They have had welfare and the Sheriff called on them many times.

Anyway, I finally had to 'write-up' this little girl. Yesterday she hit a fellow student twice and this morning gave a boy the 'finger.' I just don't know what I'm going to do with her. I know it's not her fault, but I can't have her acting that way on the bus. I'm trying as gently as I can to lead her in the right direction, but with her family's influence most of the time...it's an up hill battle.

I told her the next time she did these nasty things, I would have to write her up and send her to the office. She was a little afraid this morning. I hated having to do it, but she needs to understand those kind of actions will not be tolerated.

Oh, and she is also the girl that told a couple of boys on the bus that she wanted them to unzip their pants so she could see their pee pee. Can you believe she is being raised this way? It breaks my heart.

[AngieDoogles]

Wow! That really is heartbreaking. It's awful that she has to grow up in that kind of environment...

I'm so proud of you for trying so hard to make a positive impact in her life. Most people wouldn't even give her the time of day because of the situation she comes from. I'm glad she has you in her life...even if it is only a a few minutes every day. Good job, Janet!

[Tink]

Janet, you're such a caring soul to want to help this child. It's just wrong how some are forced to live. I hope something is done while there's still a chance to make a difference for her. SO sad!

Bless you for trying.

[rivermom]

Janet - You are doing the right thing by not accepting her behavior during your presence. This is the responsible thing to do under the situation.

Plus you trying to help her is positive and holds probably a stronger influence then you realize or give yourself credit for.

It's very unfortunate that she is subjected to such an upbringing as she is. It sounds like she definitely needs some better role models in her home life.

[highlans]

Sorry but how old is first grade?

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by highlans

Sorry but how old is first grade?

1st graders are six to seven years old.

[Chandra Amaya]

I agree you did the right thing. I know its hard & you feel for her but she has to learn what is appropiate from somewhere. If everone just allows her to get away with things because of the horrible situation she is in, then she will grow up to believe what she does is acceptable & eventually use her homelife as an excuse instead of a reason to strive for something better. As she gets older & starts to understand "how society works" alittle better, just continue to let her know you are there if she needs someone. Maybe if she starts talking social services will remove her from the home or atleast she will open up to people who can lead her in the right direction.

It is wonderful to know that some bus drivers/ School officials/ ect still do care. My 8 yr old son & 11 yr old daughter (both very small for their ages) ride with high school students. I can't drive them because my oldest son has to be picked up & dropped off as they get out & it is too far away to do both. These high school students harass & beat on the elementary students & despite my attempts to try to talk with the school about solutions, no one seems to care. I have suggested having elementary on separate buses, an extra school official on the bus to keep order while the driver drives. None of this happens. My son has come home bleeding from just to the side of his eye, holding his stomach, with gum stuck in his hair, has cans & bottles throw at him (which for one should not be allowed on the bus & for 2 that's how his eye got busted...by a GLASS bottle), & with many cuts & bruises. My daughter finally got fed up with being hurt & started fighting back. Mysteriously, the driver saw her hit back & she was suspended from the bus for 3 days. The excuse is always "they didn't see the person" who hit my kids & can't just take other students on the bus' word for what happened. I wish I had some way to get them there without the bus. I wonder daily which one will be hurt & how badly.

[Chandra Amaya]

I'm sorry I did not mean to vent there. Just a very touchy subject here. But great job & just hang in there something will change for this little girl

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by Chandra Amaya

I agree you did the right thing. I know its hard & you feel for her but she has to learn what is appropiate from somewhere. If everone just allows her to get away with things because of the horrible situation she is in, then she will grow up to believe what she does is acceptable & eventually use her homelife as an excuse instead of a reason to strive for something better. As she gets older & starts to understand "how society works" alittle better, just continue to let her know you are there if she needs someone. Maybe if she starts talking social services will remove her from the home or atleast she will open up to people who can lead her in the right direction.

It is wonderful to know that some bus drivers/ School officials/ ect still do care. My 8 yr old son & 11 yr old daughter (both very small for their ages) ride with high school students. I can't drive them because my oldest son has to be picked up & dropped off as they get out & it is too far away to do both. These high school students harass & beat on the elementary students & despite my attempts to try to talk with the school about solutions, no one seems to care. I have suggested having elementary on separate buses, an extra school official on the bus to keep order while the driver drives. None of this happens. My son has come home bleeding from just to the side of his eye, holding his stomach, with gum stuck in his hair, has cans & bottles throw at him (which for one should not be allowed on the bus & for 2 that's how his eye got busted...by a GLASS bottle), & with many cuts & bruises. My daughter finally got fed up with being hurt & started fighting back. Mysteriously, the driver saw her hit back & she was suspended from the bus for 3 days. The excuse is always "they didn't see the person" who hit my kids & can't just take other students on the bus' word for what happened. I wish I had some way to get them there without the bus. I wonder daily which one will be hurt & how badly.

Chandra, if my kids EVER came home after having problems with someone on the bus I called the school right away. In a situation like yours I think that I would take my child in so they could see what was going on. Your child has a right to be driven to school in a safe enviroment. Go and talk to your Superintendent or your school board.

[Chandra Amaya]

Originally Posted by DianaB

Chandra, if my kids EVER came home after having problems with someone on the bus I called the school right away. In a situation like yours I think that I would take my child in so they could see what was going on. Your child has a right to be driven to school in a safe enviroment. Go and talk to your Superintendent or your school board.

When my son's eye was cut, he was taking to the bus supervisor to be checked before they brought him home. Pictures were taken & given to my son's school principal. They say the problem is several schools ride on the same bus & they don't know (with any proof) who is doing this. I have asked to be seen by the school board at their next meeting but have heard nothing back from them yet.

[Janet]

There is no way that should be happening. Even if the driver did not see it...I have a way of getting them to admit it. Once they do.....they are written up and taken to the principal. It is ONLY a privilage to ride the bus....not a right! Those that continue bad behavior are kicked off the bus for good. If I were you, I would not let this get slipped under the rug. Demand something be done. If the driver can't handle it, then they should be sent packing and find someone who can.

[Chandra Amaya]

Originally Posted by Janet

There is no way that should be happening. Even if the driver did not see it...I have a way of getting them to admit it. Once they do.....they are written up and taken to the principal. It is ONLY a privilage to ride the bus....not a right! Those that continue bad behavior are kicked off the bus for good. If I were you, I would not let this get slipped under the rug. Demand something be done. If the driver can't handle it, then they should be sent packing and find someone who can.

That's what I thought too. I know being a bus driver can't be an easy job, but they tell me the driver's concern is the roads not the kids. I understand they have to watch the roads to protect the kids but when the kids are on the bus I thought the driver was responsible for their safety. The bus supervisor tells me he isn't. The school deals with the children. The driver cannot even write them up. Man is this a messed up town. Maybe it would help to start a petition. I know some other parents have these same issues.

[Janet]

Originally Posted by Chandra Amaya

That's what I thought too. I know being a bus driver can't be an easy job, but they tell me the driver's concern is the roads not the kids. I understand they have to watch the roads to protect the kids but when the kids are on the bus I thought the driver was responsible for their safety. The bus supervisor tells me he isn't. The school deals with the children. The driver cannot even write them up. Man is this a messed up town. Maybe it would help to start a petition. I know some other parents have these same issues.

Sorry, but that is bulls**t!! It IS my job to get them to school and home safely and part of that is having those kids under control. I'm pretty strict with my kids. I have them sit from kindergarten in the front to high school in the back. They know if they don't like my rules....then don't ride the bus. I have very supportive parents, even if their kid may be one who gets in trouble. I'd do whatever you have to, to get that bus under control.

[Chandra Amaya]

Originally Posted by Janet

Sorry, but that is bulls**t!! It IS my job to get them to school and home safely and part of that is having those kids under control. I'm pretty strict with my kids. I have them sit from kindergarten in the front to high school in the back. They know if they don't like my rules....then don't ride the bus. I have very supportive parents, even if their kid may be one who gets in trouble. I'd do whatever you have to, to get that bus under control.

Thank you for understanding & agreeing with me Janet. I was beginning to think I was lost in a time warp where I still thought schools & buses have responsiblity for the kids when no one else seems to. I think I will start a petition & insist that the school board hear me instead of asking. If I don't fight for my kids no one else will.

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by Janet

I have a first grade girl that rides my bus. She's a cute little redhead, but is being raised by morons. She lives with her aunt, mother and her aunt and mother's step-father, whom she calls Dad.

These girls (aunt and mother) walk the county roads in search of men who will take them into the woods and well, let's say they are not hunting for mushrooms. None of them work and the place they live in smells from the road. It's horrible. They have had welfare and the Sheriff called on them many times.

Anyway, I finally had to 'write-up' this little girl. Yesterday she hit a fellow student twice and this morning gave a boy the 'finger.' I just don't know what I'm going to do with her. I know it's not her fault, but I can't have her acting that way on the bus. I'm trying as gently as I can to lead her in the right direction, but with her family's influence most of the time...it's an up hill battle.

I told her the next time she did these nasty things, I would have to write her up and send her to the office. She was a little afraid this morning. I hated having to do it, but she needs to understand those kind of actions will not be tolerated.

Oh, and she is also the girl that told a couple of boys on the bus that she wanted them to unzip their pants so she could see their pee pee. Can you believe she is being raised this way? It breaks my heart.

Its a SHAME there are kids out there that have to grow up in that kind of environment!!