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GoogleBuses left about 25 minutes earlier than normal on the first couple of days of school, which began Monday, to accommodate children attending the magnet school, said Jimmy Williams, school transportation director. These students are dropped off at the school in their geographic zones. From there, they are picked up by a second bus and taken to Thomas Magnet for a 7:40 a.m. start time.
"My children now have to get up between 4:30 and 4:45 a.m. to catch the bus on time," said Anna Collier, a mother of two students who attend Liberty School on Snell Road.
Liberty does not begin classes until 8 a.m. and the Collier children are being picked up at 6:05 a.m., about 15 minutes earlier than they were picked up last year.
"Because of the magnet school my children are on the bus at 6 a.m. and they got dropped off yesterday at 4:14 p.m.," she said. "Their driver does not let them sleep on the bus ... I just think two hours before school starts is ridiculous."
School superintendent Ed Gray said he is aware of the issue and is working with Williams on finding a solution.
When asked if changing the start time for Thomas was an option, pushing it back to a later time, Gray said they were considering it "big time."
Gray also said he believes any person who wants to attend the magnet school should be able to attend, and that is why transportation is provided to magnet school students.
"However, we cannot start bus routes 30 minutes early to make that happen," he said.
School board member Amy Martin agreed with Gray, saying children should not have to catch the bus so early.
"I fell sure that adjustments will be made," she said. "I feel bad this has caused inconveniences for the children and parents, but also for some teachers who must arrive earlier at school to ensure a presence when the children are arriving (at an earlier time)."
Williams said that most of the bus routes have leveled out and only a small number of children are affected.
But for the Colliers, and other children in the more rural areas, being picked up at 6 a.m. is not a small problem.
Collier's children, now in fifth and sixth grade, have homework they can't finish because they have to go to bed so early, by 7:30 p.m., in order to wake up at 4:30 a.m.
Liberty classes end at 3 p.m., and the Collier children arrive home at about 4:15 p.m.
"We are looking at baths, eating and homework, and we barely have enough time for homework," Collier said. "People have told me to just drive them myself. That is not the answer."
Even last year, before the magnet school was an issue, Collier felt the 6:15 a.m. bus arrival was too early. But even without the magnet school, Williams said, students have to get to school early enough to eat the optional breakfast.
"My kids eat breakfast at home," Collier said, adding that at Liberty students are let off buses at 7:10 a.m. Because they have already eaten breakfast, they sit in the gymnasium for 50 minutes while others eat breakfast.
"My son doesn't need two hours to find something to get into trouble with," she said.
Martin said the school board has not met since the beginning of school to discuss this situation. Its next meeting is Aug. 20 at 7 p.m., possibly at Community High School, although the location has not been finalized. To learn more, call the Board of Education at 684-3284.
"In defense of 'first week' problems, every school year brings a different set of issues and problems that have to be addressed," Martin said.
Other complaints she has heard about include traffic flow at Learning Way and Harris Middle School.
"I know when (Harris) opened a few years back, I transported my granddaughter and the first week was a nightmare until we all got the hang of the flow," she said.
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ms. collier does not work so she should take her children if she is the only one complaining.
Remember this comment made a few days ago....
Go Liberty!! Sounds like we have no crazy parents!!
-- Posted by eagleeyes on Tue, Aug 11, 2009, at 11:09 PM
All I can say is HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
That is a stupid answer to the problem. She shouldnt have to take her children herself! I think that the Magnet School had very poor planing. My child goes to South Side School and the bus comes by my house at 6:28. I should mention that I live 2 blocks away from the school! So I do drive my child. But I should not have to. That is what my tax dollars are supposed to be used for! Oh...And I do work!
Well, there is a lot of people complaining, but my opinion is and I, too, am affected.
This is the first week with several new schools, there will be a few growing pains, as long as this is not permanent then I can work around it for a few.
Anna Collier sounds like she needs to join the real world. If she wants her kids to sleep later, then she needs to drive them to school. Why make her kids ride the bus if she doesn't work? Maybe she needs to get her lazy self up and dressed, so she can take them herself.
I personally believe any responsible parent would WANT to take their children to school. Bus behavior is not like it used to be. Just ask the driver that got beaten up transporting children from Blackman (which supposedly has a better set of kids) in Rutherford Co.
As gas prices increase, pressure should be put on parents to make better arrangements so taxpayers are not left to foot the bill for bus purchase, bus repair , and fuel expenses.
Get off your lazy butts and take your own children to school.
My child attends Thomas Magnet School. I drive him and yes I work. That being said.... I agree children should not have to get up at 4:30 and catch the bus at 6:00 for school. Before school started I assumed Thomas would have a later start time, and was very surprised when it didn't. I think the solution to the problem would be to start at a later time. All children should be able to ride the bus without these problems. I have faith that there will be a solution soon.
I hope traffic control will get better at Community Elementary - this a.m. no parent could pull up to drop their kids off because traffic was backed all the way around to U-D Road. I miss the lady traffic cop!
We all need to remember that legally transportation to school is not a right, but a privilege. Transportation does not have to be provided and those that use it should be greatful. The parents of magnet school children should especially be greatful since there are few, if any other counties that provide transportation to a magnet school.
I understand Ms. Collier's frustration. For those of you who don't know this, Liberty already has the longest school day in the system.
They start early because Liberty kids are dropped off at school in time for SCHS students to cross-load to buses to SCHS from Liberty. At the end of the day Liberty students have to wait for buses to arrive from SCHS for another round of cross-loading.
In the final analysis, Liberty bus students are on campus from +/- 7:00 am till +/- 3:35 pm everyday. Now add in another 20-30 minutes to "allow" for the Magnet students and it really gets crazy.
We either need more buses to curtail the cross- loading and transfer of students or the Magnet School parents need to drive their children. After all, didn't they volunteer to put their children in the Magnet School?
My kids are now car riders also. There is no reason for them to sit at school for 55 minutes for the benefit of a few. The bus now comes 30 minutes early and is basically empty. Whether they should require them to drop off at their home school for them to catch the bus to Thomas or what, I'm not sure of the answer, but it should not affect all of the county kids. And even if they start the school later, due to federal/state guidelines, don't they have to extend school to cover the hours required, then delaying their return home?
BTW...how long does it take for kids to get ready? 430am to get ready on time? Really?
Here we go again always complaining about something. I have a child at the magnet school and she does not and will not be riding a bus and I work. If you do not work then why are you not taking your kids to school yourself so they do not have to be up at 4:30 in the morning. Why not prepare the the night before so it does not take that much time in the morning to get ready. Why is it people think things should be handed to them on a silver platter? Get off your duff and take your kids to school. Bus riding is not a right, a priviledge that the taxpayers pay for and could be cut out of the budget and then what would you do, make them walk.
This is what I just love about this town!!!! Everybody is concerned with one thing and one thing only...How Does this effect Me??? I can do this and I can do that...Why can't you???
You want to be helpful? Then volunteer to take some of these kids to school while you are taking your own.. every parent does not drive... nor does every parent go to work at 8am..
Ph-leze You think there is traffic jams at school now...sit back and watch if everybody took their children to school everyday.
i agree with the person who said that that's what our taxpayer dollars go for. we have idiots up there on the school board running the show and it's not going to get any better until ed gray retires. oh yeah, i just got through spending a crap load of money on dressing my kids so they would be in compliance with the dress code and now just spent almost $100 dollars on CLASSROOM fees. when did a free education become so expensive?
Just so you know, I DO HAVE TO BE AT WORK AT 8AM!!! And Im not going to volunteer to take any other children to school. I have three children that go to two different schools. My son goes to South Side and I drop my girls off there also to catch the bus to Harris. So in between all 4 of us getting dressed at the same time it is hectic in the morning to stop what Im doing and take them to school...But I do now. The school system as a whole is in need of an overhaul! I dont think you should be allowed on the school board unless you have school age children. That way you know first hand the issues of children as well as parents. And to all who are blogging on the issue at hand....if you dont have school age children then you need to hush!
doe-c-doe
My post wasn't really directed towards you... But ok
First of all, the article never mentioned if this woman worked or not.And I for one do not think children should not be on a bus or sitting in a gym 2 hours before school starts.
Nashville schools does not give magnet schools a bus ride.And I am sure if parents were told that their children could not have bus transportation to this new new school. Alot of the students would not be attending it.
And while I'm on a roll....
I also agree with the other woman about all the school sullpies and extra exspence on a dress code.And now on top of that , they are on the road to school 2 hours before it starts.
I do work and I do pay taxes. So my question is:
"Where does all the taxes go?"And they also charge a school room fee,and are always tring to get students to sell things.
I must agree with Ms.Collier,2 hours is way to long to be on route to school.It makes a long day for the children.And as long as tax payers pay for the transportation, then it should be used.
I don't go 2 hours ahead of time to go to work, Do you????????
Ms.Collier I have to say " You go girl." At least it shows how much you care and will stand up for your children. And I do not know if you work or not. It's not any of my business or any one elses.
First of all, the article never mentioned if this woman worked or not.And I for one do not think children should not be on a bus or sitting in a gym 2 hours before school starts.
Nashville schools does not give magnet schools a bus ride.And I am sure if parents were told that their children could not have bus transportation to this new new school. Alot of the students would not be attending it.
And while I'm on a roll....
I also agree with the other woman about all the school sullpies and extra exspence on a dress code.And now on top of that , they are on the road to school 2 hours before it starts.
I do work and I do pay taxes. So my question is:
"Where does all the taxes go?"And they also charge a school room fee,and are always tring to get students to sell things.
I must agree with Ms.Collier,2 hours is way to long to be on route to school.It makes a long day for the children.And as long as tax payers pay for the transportation, then it should be used.
I don't go 2 hours ahead of time to go to work, Do you????????
Ms.Collier I have to say " You go girl." At least it shows how much you care and will stand up for your children. And I do not know if you work or not. It's not any of my business or any one elses.
Dianatn, I am truly surprised at your response to this article. You were one of the commenters so against the dress code but you think that no one should say anything about these long bus rides? If more planning had gone into all this, then there wouldn't be an issue. It was also my understanding that only the kids from the county would be provided transportation.
stardust
Please do go back and read my comment again... I am very opposed to the long bus rides and as such sarcastically stated, This is what I love about this town! The ones I was referring to are not the ones complaining about a bus ride but the ones saying the parents are lucky to even be provided with bus transportation and the ones saying they take their kids to school and think that everyone is able to do so just because they can. As I said "Every parent does not have a car nor does every parent have to be at work at 8am,some have to be there at 7am or 6am, meaning it is not feasible for every parent to transport their child." Thus why our taxes pay for bus transportation.
We all pay this tax regardless if we have school age children or not.
I am sorry if my sarcasm got in the way of my message. But I will stand by my statement: That if every parent brought their children to and from school the traffic problem at every school would be unbearable.
Actually, if every parent brought his/her child planners would be forced to provide more a efficient logistics system. Bigger schools in larger areas do.
Transportation issues are why I favor neighborhood schools. A large percentage can be dropped off on a parents way to work or maybe even walk or bike to school. Bus service becomes less costly,too.
I'm going to make the same comment I made in the dress code topic.....your child will still be going to school whether you agree bus or car or early or late. Fact is fact. School is a must.
I did read it as being serious and I was surprised. I should have realized it was sarcasm.
I think the number of parents who have already switched their kids to car riders is making an impact on 'the boss' or they wouldn't be discussing pushing back the start time at the magnet school.
This is not fact just a question: Are children not required by state law to be in the classroom a certain number of hours a day? I always thought they were but again I am just asking.
If indeed they are required a certain number of hours and they pushed the time for the magnet school to begin say back 30 minutes..won't that mean they would have to stay 30 minutes longer in the afternoon in order for them to get the required hours. And wouldn't that make them be 30 minutes late getting back to their perspective schools in the afternoons, in order to catch their bus home? meaning: Your child would be at school an extra 30 minutes in the afternoon waiting on the magnet school children?
Disclaimer: This is just a question not a statement :>)
I am a mother that works and has a child at Thomas I do not have the option to take my children to school I also do not like having to wake my children up at 4:45 to get on the bus at 6:05. My daughter is in 5th grade and didn't finish homework until 9:30 and had to take a shower and got in bed after 10. But she still got up and never complained because she knows its part of life! They can change things but they will never make even half of the people complaining happy.
I live in unionville and our bus comes at 6:10!! I think that is ridiculous- more thought should have been put into the "magnet school", I keep a girl that attends "magnet"(mine do not- personally i dont see the point...) so she is on the bus for 1 1/2 hours before she gets to school, she has to be up before 5 so she has already put in 2 1/12 or 3 hours before she even gets to school!! I think the traffic at Community has really improved and will be better when they open the new road to the high school.
I would rather take my kids to school myself but this is adding a financial and time burden that I can't really afford. Not only do I now have to pay extra gas money but I had to buy each of my kids cell phones so that I could make arrangements easily. I was lucky with the cell phones because I got Motorola w376 Tracfones that came with DMFL, camera, blue tooth, radio and web access for less than $30 each. But I would still prefer them to make another plan with the bus times.
I would rather take my kids to school myself but this is adding a financial and time burden that I can't really afford. Not only do I now have to pay extra gas money but I had to buy each of my kids cell phones so that I could make arrangements easily. I was lucky with the cell phones because I got Motorola w376 Tracfones that came with DMFL, camera, blue tooth, radio and web access for less than $30 each. But I would still prefer them to make another plan with the bus times.
I think the magnet school is great, however. I think that the parent choose for their kids to go there they should drive them there if the bus route is too long. Let them be in ASCP in the morning/afternoon if need to be. Looks like this is putting too much strain on the kids, or parents for that matter. Also I still don't see why you need to get your kids up around 4-4:30 to catch the bus at 6. If parents prepared everything at night. Clothes for next day and even shoes, back pack completely ready, maybe even fix most of their breakfast and hit it up in the morning really works well. My kids can get dressed and eat breakfast in less than 30 minutes. Of course they are not aloud to watch TV in the morning because that as well causes delays in getting ready for school. I live about 15-20 minutes from town, leave at 7, they are at school by 7:20, so I can be at work by 7:30. Yeah, they have to sit in the gym, but hey they are at school on time.
Sorry, I forgot to add something. I noticed that the children in the article is getting home late. This is what I do and hopefully it could help you out as well. Soon as they get home let them have a lite snack, maybe watch tv or play a game for only 30 min. Then they have to do their homework. I turn the TV off until their done. Sometimes they work while I am cooking supper. It's not like you have to stand over the stove the whole entire time. Sometimes I'm doing other things as well around the house, while cooking and helping out with homework. You are there to help not sit and watch them. Also have them do what they can on their own, skip questions if need to be and when they are done you can check it then and help them out. Check their work while they take a bath ( around 7:00). When they get out show them what to do or fix mistakes. You don't have to do everything at one time, sometimes it is great for the kids to take a small break, eat supper, take a bath, play for 15 minute. If it is only reading material do it as they go to bed. Both of you go in the bedroom, have him/her read to you depending on age or do a quick spelling test. This is a great time for one on one/alone. It can be done. As for the morning if they are there at school early, have them take a book, or tell them to study spelling words, anything to keep their brain flowing.....
I am very suprised that the bus is running so early in the morning My daughters bus only has one child that attends the Magnet School and all of the other children their families schedules have to re organize because of this. I think if a parent wants their child to attend the Magnet school They should have to drive the child to school. We live in Bell Buckle It is quiet a drive to the Magnet school My daughter recieved a letter to attend the Magnet school before it opened I simply cant see putting your child on a bus or taking your child to school across town when Cascade is a wonderful school close by. In the other surrounding counties like Rutherford if you choose the Magnet School you are responsible for transportation. I give my daughter the choice somedays she rides the bus somedays I take her if she has had alot of homework ect Almost all families including my own are on very tight budgets with the economy loss of jobs rising cost and can not afford the extra gas to take their children to school or Have work schedules that would not allow them to take their children to school. I believe you should have to live in the zoned area to ride the bus and if you choose to attend the Magda school you should have your own transportation.