School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

I am putting my oldest son (5 years old) on a school bus in Sept for the 1st time and I'm freaking out. I have never put my son in a vehicle with anyone else, especially a stranger. I have always driven my son to school and now we are moving to Smithtown from Queens and I'm having a hard time getting used to the idea of not being there for him. I know everyone does it, but he is still my baby and I am nervous. I also know that it would be convenient for me since I have a 3 1/2 year old and 17 month old as well. So it would make things easier in the morning. Can anyone tell me more about school buses? I was told there is no maitron on the bus. THey just put the smaller children in the front and the driver takes them to school. I need some reassurance.

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

I know how you feel. When my son started kindergarten, I was very nervous about him going on the bus. But, everything was fine. This year my daughter starts kindergarten, and I'm nervous again, but I know it will be ok.
My daughter is going to a kindergarten center, so only kindergarteners will be on the bus, but my son was on the bus with grades k-5 and they kept the younger ones up front, and I never had a problem.

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

My son has been riding a bus since he was 3 (to preschool). I didn't think twice about it. I do know mothers that won't put their child on one though so you aren't alone in your hesitation. I remember growing up and riding the bus and that was the funnest part of the school day. They keep a watchful eye on the little ones, so I wouldn't be concerned about it!

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

There's a reason all of those moms (and in my son's case, dads) cry at the bus stop on the first day of school

None of us are ready for our little ones to grow up.

I planned on driving him too but he heard about the bus & wanted to go on it. The calls to the bus company tapered off after week 1.

It was so hard to be friendly to the driver & casually ask him for his name when what I really wanted was his fingerprints.

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

My son is really excited about riding the bus. I explained to him that I wouldn't be on the bus with him and he was fine with that. I am nervous for him, but I know he will be fine. I just want to be sure that he is in good hands.

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

I am in the same position with 2 younger ones at home and I am nervous about the bus too. I also just found out there is no one on the bus except the driver and they seemed so casually unconcerned about seatbelts for the kids. My DS told me he put his seatbelt on when they took them for a ride around the block at orientation but the even said "most of the seatbelts work", not all, just most. I am bothered by that for obvious reasons. I guess Im no help....

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

Posted by Elizabeth

I am in the same position with 2 younger ones at home and I am nervous about the bus too. I also just found out there is no one on the bus except the driver and they seemed so casually unconcerned about seatbelts for the kids. My DS told me he put his seatbelt on when they took them for a ride around the block at orientation but the even said "most of the seatbelts work", not all, just most. I am bothered by that for obvious reasons. I guess Im no help....

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by Elizabeth

I am in the same position with 2 younger ones at home and I am nervous about the bus too. I also just found out there is no one on the bus except the driver and they seemed so casually unconcerned about seatbelts for the kids. My DS told me he put his seatbelt on when they took them for a ride around the block at orientation but the even said "most of the seatbelts work", not all, just most. I am bothered by that for obvious reasons. I guess Im no help....

Why would there only be the bus driver on the bus? I don't understand.

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

In the district where I work teachers ride the buses for the first 6 weeks of school to ensure that the children are all comfortable with the routine and know when to get off.

No child is EVER let off the bus without a parent or other appointed ADULT there to meet him or her, and if no one is there he or she is returned to the school.

We have had several situations in which children have fallen asleep on the bus, but they are always discovered BEFORE there is any trauma to the child or parents.

Also, according to state law, children are encouraged, but are not required to wear seatbelts. Bus drivers and teachers are not permitted to buckle any child's seatbelt. The child MUST be able to do it himself.

Hope that helps!

Message edited 6/4/2007 7:24:30 PM.

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

Posted by PatsBrat

In the district where I work teachers ride the buses for the first 6 weeks of school to ensure that the children are all comfortable with the routine and know when to get off.

No child is EVER let off the bus without a parent or other appointed ADULT there to meet him or her, and if no one is there he or she is returned to the school.

We have had several situations in which children have fallen asleep on the bus, but they are always discovered BEFORE there is any trauma to the child or parents.

Also, according to state law, children are encouraged, but are not required to wear seatbelts. Bus drivers and teachers are not permitted to buckle any child's seatbelt. The child MUST be able to do it himself.

Hope that helps!

Message edited 6/4/2007 8:30:38 PM.

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

Posted by Summerrluvv

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by Elizabeth

I am in the same position with 2 younger ones at home and I am nervous about the bus too. I also just found out there is no one on the bus except the driver and they seemed so casually unconcerned about seatbelts for the kids. My DS told me he put his seatbelt on when they took them for a ride around the block at orientation but the even said "most of the seatbelts work", not all, just most. I am bothered by that for obvious reasons. I guess Im no help....

Why would there only be the bus driver on the bus? I don't understand.

I think she meant there is no aide on the bus, just the driver.

Many states don't even have seatbelts for their busses.

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

DS is heading to school in Sept. too. I'm not worried about it at all. He's very excited and I'm sure I'll get choked up when he gets on that bus for the first time but I'm totally confident he'll be fine. And if any issues arise-we'll deal with that when time comes.

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

Posted by Summerrluvv

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by Elizabeth

I am in the same position with 2 younger ones at home and I am nervous about the bus too. I also just found out there is no one on the bus except the driver and they seemed so casually unconcerned about seatbelts for the kids. My DS told me he put his seatbelt on when they took them for a ride around the block at orientation but the even said "most of the seatbelts work", not all, just most. I am bothered by that for obvious reasons. I guess Im no help....

Why would there only be the bus driver on the bus? I don't understand.

I think she meant there is no aide on the bus, just the driver.

Many states don't even have seatbelts for their busses.

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

DS is starting school in Sept. He wants to take the bus but he will be sharing it with k-5 and I am worried about it.

I am still fighting over driving him or letting him take the bus. I may just end up driving him just for my own piece of mind.

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

My district also makes the teachers ride the school buses for the first few weeks, and that does bring some comfort to me...but, not enough to make me stop worrying. Believe me, I am right there with you, when it comes to severe concern and hesitation to put my baby on that bus. But, the school's principal really did make the parents feel alot better when she explained how the children really do come to rely on their routine...and how fostering their independence early via riding the school bus is a critical part of their transition to elementary school.

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

Thanks Anna.

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

yeah, what is that about? They said parents are not aloud to help the kids with putting their seatbelts on. So basically, if the child has trouble putting it on, or if the belt is broken, no one will help them? I was very turned off by this.

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

Re: School Buses in Smithtown, L.I.

I wish my district made the parents go on. I understand if the child was older, but these are 5 year old children that don't know any better. I know that nothing bad has ever happened, but I just don't like it. The principle said that once the children get to school, the 1st 2 weeks, there will be PTA parents helping the kindergarten children off the bus. Maybe I'm too nervous...maybe some people may think I'm alittle "paranoid", but I just don't feel comfortable about this.