Bus Matron Question--UPDATE!!!

What does yours do? Mine absolutely nothing from what I can see, not even a good morning.

Today, I was struggling with the buckles, could not loosen them no matter what I did. The driver showed me how to loosen and tighten, but I have trouble with the loosening for some reason. Anyway, when I asked her for help, he said this wasn't really her job?

I probably need to call the bus company, but I was curious what the other matrons do or don't do. I hesitate to call the company only because she's on the bus with my kid, and I don't want her taking out things on him. Thanks!

UPDATE: We have a new matron today!!!! Or a sub matron anyway, the new one who will be permanent starts next week. The new matron was pleasant, said hi, and tried to help DS on the bus, but the damage is done. He now expects me to do it. So I'll have to work on this with him when the permanent matron starts, probably in steps--I'm thinking of walking him up the steps and then she can take over, and continue until he's going all the way in with her. She did buckle him in though.

Thanks for all your posts. It took reading what happens on other buses for it to sink in that this situation really wasn't good. I also wondered how he was being buckled in going home and if it was being done correctly. I'm also embarassed that I let it go so long, but I think I was so focussed on getting to know his therapists, teachers, etc. The person I spoke with at the bus company said this really was a liability issue among other things and should not have been happening.
The bus company wound up addressing this directly through me, but I did inform the school of the issue and the outcome since they contract with this company.
So for now, I'm happy. At least there is a more pleasant person on board today.

Message edited 10/7/2011 9:10:12 AM.

Re: Bus Matron Question

I was so happy when my son's matron and driver changed from the summer. They were only there in the morning and the afternoon driver/matron was great. Now we have the same for both and they are wonderful women. They take him and put him in his seat, they tell us he's an angel on the bus and they look forward to seeing him.

I definitely would have called to complain about the others if we had them all year. They were so unfriendly and I can't imagine if they acted like that towards us that they were any different towards DS.

Re: Bus Matron Question

If there is a matron on the bus why are you buckling your child?? I would call to thebus company and complain.
I LOVED all the matrons my son has had.

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when my son first started on the bus he had a matron. It wasn't his per se but someone the bus company provided.

We would bring him to the bus. And she would take it from there including getting him into the seat and buckling him.

Re: Bus Matron Question

Well, today she told me it is not her job to even assist with buckling him. Which makes no sense to me--what is she paid to do? Surely not text all day which is what I see. I've been doing it all along, and the driver is the one who has shown me how to buckle initially.

I don't mind walking him on, but if I'm struggling with the belt, that is ridiculous IMO. Yes, you bet I'll call them later today and find out what she should be doing. Thanks!

Re: Bus Matron Question

WAIT, they make you get on the bus and buckle your child? I'd def. call the bus company. I have 2 that go to two different schools and both have the matrons walk them on and assist them in their seats. (one is 3 and the other 7) that's totally what there suppose to do, I'd call the bus company asap.

Re: Bus Matron Question

My son has been on the bus since Sept 2010 and not ONCE have I ever stepped on the bus!

The driver opens the door, matron comes to steps, takes DS' hand and walks with him to his seat. Buckles him in, takes her own seat and then bus drives away!

You definitley need to call the bus company.
I'm so confused as to why YOU are buckling your child in.

Re: Bus Matron Question

AJ started taking the bust Sep 2010. we had requested a matron for the bus. we are on our 2nd one. They WERE/ARE BOTH WONDERFUL. all i have to do is bring him to the bus, and the rest is handled by the matron.

when you filled out his paperwork for the bus, did you request a matron, and if so was it signed off by your doctor.

the only reason i can see the bus matron not helping out is if your matron request was not filled out or your dr. did not sign it. please check with the bus company to make sure you have the appropriate paperwork filled out. if it was filled out correctly then the matron is responsible for buckling, making sure they stay buckled and unbuckling them.

Re: Bus Matron Question

In over a year and a half, I have only gotten on the bus once, when DS refused to get on. For me, I feel like it's one more thing I would like him to do independently, and now that he has been doing it for a while, there is no reason he can't.

The matron meets him at the top of the steps, brings him to his seat and buckles him in. She should be doing it, I would call and complain.

Re: Bus Matron Question

If she can't be bothered to buckle your child in, she is in the wrong profession! I would call the bus company immediately and ask for a new matron. I often wonder where they find these employees. We had a nasty matron last year. She laughed about leaving a kid at school one day.

Re: Bus Matron Question

I don't have to get on either!

Re: Bus Matron Question

I called, no she should be doing this as well as walking him on the bus. So if there is no improvement over the next couple days, I'll call again and ask for a new matron.

Yes, we did fill out the paperwork requesting a matron and our doctor did sign off on it. Never once has this woman done a thing for me until today--the driver has helped other times.

It would help if she walked him on, though I haven't pressed frankly because she is so sour. But if she won't even buckle him in, it's ridiculous. She texts when I bring him on, that's about it.

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This kind of thing gets me so upset

Re: Bus Matron Question

Id be livid. I would request a new matron asap and explain to the bus co that she does nothing but text, even while youre on the bus! Good luck!

Re: Bus Matron Question

Re: Bus Matron Question

Agreed. I called the company about her today--she didn't do anything once again. And yes, if my kid needs any sort of help on the bus, is she going to do it? Most likely not.

I'm waiting for a call back--the person I spoke to couldn't promise me anything one way or another.

Re: Bus Matron Question

Re: Bus Matron Question

I spoke with a receptionist, so while she agreed that this isn't what I should expect from the matron, I do get that she can't switch around schedules/matrons or tell me exactly what the next steps will be.

But I haven't heard back yet, which I'm not liking. If I don't get results from the bus company, I'll call the school and complain to them also--they actually helped me get him scheduled at the start of the school year.

Re: Bus Matron Question

this is ridiculous! I'm so sorry.

I'm in NJ and so the busing is handled by my school district. I would definately call them and raise a stink. Actually, i probably would have called them first and have them handle with the bus company themselves. But I'm not sure if it works differently in NJ.

Either way, at this point I would call anyone and everyone who will listen and get it fixed. God forbid your child needs the matron, she is useless. What is the point to her?

Re: Bus Matron Question

I am getting so livid with this situation. I cant believe the bus company is saying this??? How can they even want to hire a worker like this. I would DEFINETLY call your school district as well and let them know.

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Don't wait for them to call back - call the school now. I would even ask the person at the school who to call at the county about this - or check with your school district. I am pretty sure the county pays for the bussing while they are in CPSE. The fact that the bus company is taking this so lightly is pizzing me off. I generally don't want to be THAT mother, but you are already nervous about them being on the bus, you shouldn't have to be worried about their safety.

Message edited 10/5/2011 11:53:27 AM.

Re: Bus Matron Question

The matron we had last year and this Summer and back again this year DOES the strapping of his seatbelt.

That's HER job!

I would not care at all about the schedule.

I would never accept her to do a better job. If she cannot see what is wrong with texting while supposed to supervise the kids, she will try to cut as much of the corner of safety so she can go back to her texting.

I would ask for a supervisor at the bus company and not accept this "laid back" attitude at all. Those people are paid by the County to do a job. It's not a favor to you. That's their job!

Re: Bus Matron Question--UPDATE!!!

Re: Bus Matron Question--UPDATE!!!

Awesome Update! So glad you kept on top of it!

Re: Bus Matron Question--UPDATE!!!

Glad to hear she is gone.