This makes me incredibly sad. I understand that there is still a stigma with "the short bus" which is why I am very glad our district no longer uses them. Kids with SN ride full size buses, some of which are fitted with special braces for wheelchairs, car seats for the Pre-k's etc. It also kills me that no matter how hard my child works to fit in and be like his typical peers, there are still people that think this way and will treat him like he is less than. It breaks my heart.
My BFF in middle school volunteered with the special education students at lunchtime and we all thought it was really cool. I would be happy my son had an opportunity to learn more about differences and acceptance.
Post by cinnamoncox on Aug 21, 2014 19:16:22 GMT -5
I'd like to think I wouldn't be upset. It's a free ride, so take it.
But when I was in HS about 20 years ago (omg) I do recall people mocking the sped short bus. I hope people have become more inclusive and less mean, but I don't know for sure. We don't have school busses in my city so I don't know if they still make fun of it anymore.
I'm shocked you didn't go off on her. She's afraid of her son being attacked by a special needs kid? Why?? Wtf?
And what exactly is she teaching her kid by flipping out over this? Jesus.
I couldn't. I was at work and I need my income. It would have just been too awkward, but I couldn't believe she felt comfortable griping about this in front of me.
I was picked on mercilessly in school. teased, taunted, i hated life until college, COLLEGE, AND I STILL RODE THE FUCKING SMALLER BUS WITHOUT ISSUE. They didn't even make fun of me for that 20+ years ago, this has nothing to do with her kid's feelings and everything to do with her small minded, dick-weasel bullshit.
This is true. I know her son. He's a sweet boy and I can't imagine him actually being "afraid" of his peers with special needs. He's so sweet to my daughter! I think she is filling his brain with a bunch of nonsense. She is a very, very dramatic person and thinks everything that happens is some conspiracy against her LYFE.
I'd like to think I wouldn't be upset. It's a free ride, so take it.
But when I was in HS about 20 years ago (omg) I do recall people mocking the sped short bus. I hope people have become more inclusive and less mean, but I don't know for sure. We don't have school busses in my city so I don't know if they still make fun of it anymore.
I totally get this perspective. The "short bus" was something people made fun of when I was a kid too (I think we are probably around the same age). I just think going to the superintendent of schools is off the chain crazy for something of this magnitude. Now, if he really was being bullied or something, that would be another story.
I'm sorry. I absolutely understand some of her concerns.
FWIW, I am the parent of a child who attended public school on an IEP from 4th- graduation. Our family refused special education busing because it is hugely stigmatizing for kids who spend part of the days in the maainstream. It would be especially hard for a kid in middle school.
TBH, I'm not a fan of the notion of a "short bus" situation that exists as a transportation ghetto to isolate the kids who have IEPs.
The sorts of kids who still require specialized transportation at the secondary level could be dangerous or profoundly impaired and unavailable for social interaction which is considered an "educational" part of the day. In my district, nearly all kids take standard buses; only very impaired or aggressive students get specialized transportation.
Post by aussiecrush on Aug 21, 2014 20:09:57 GMT -5
My son, who has special needs, wants to ride the school bus. Our neighborhood is close enough to walk but the short bus comes through for a few kids. He's pissed I make him walk. She's just looking to be angry.
I have a son with special needs and 2 middle schoolers so bare that in mind as I respond. There are varying degrees of SN and the "short bus" is really for kids that have severe disabilities, not just SN. This isn't to say that they don't deserve friends or should be treated as anything less than. If we were talking about an 8 yr old I'd say he should suck it up but middle school is a whole different ball game.
She's not wrong that her kid won't get to have social interactions with his friends or that there will likely be kids with severe emotional disturbances on the bus. It's also very likely that he will be made fun of for this. I absolutely think you can and should teach your child tolerance and respect and kindness to people that are different, but that shouldn't come at his detriment unless we're talking about a bullying situation.
I teach my children about all types of diversity, encourage them to be brave enough to stand up for kids getting picked on and God help them if they ever do it. That does not mean I would want them in a situation that would caus them to get picked on either. In the same situation I would ask for the bus to be changed and if they couldn't/wouldn't I would drive him myself.
This lady is nuts but I am surprised that this is the county(city?town?'s) solution to her situation. My neighbor begged to get her younger daughter to be able to ride the SN bus with her SN sister (SN bus picks up at her driveway vs the other bus down at the end of the street). Same pickup time, within like 3 mins. My neighbor stressed out so much about how she was going to be in two places at the same time and begged for her daughter to ride the SN bus with her sister. County said no. Apparently our county is very very rigid on who can ride that bus.
I have all the books I could need, and what more could I need than books? I shall only engage in commerce if books are the coin. -- Catherynne M. Valente
Logistically though, for those of you saying she should be calling to complain about her son being on this bus, or at least be bothered by him being on the bus for special needs kids, what if that's the only bus that comes out to his area?
I didn't even remember it until this thread but I road the SN bus in kindergarten. I guess because it was the only bus that came to our area? Anyway, it was NBD and clearly, my mom didn't give a shit. lol
I know, that's why her response surprised me. Kids with severe emotional disturbances can get violent, so the kid isn't wrong to be concerned.
are you fucking kidding me with this shit? Seriously. Children on 'special buses' are not all violent you stupid shit and if some are there are more precautions than throwing them on a small bus.
LET'S PERPETUATE THE TERRIBLE STEREOTYPE TO REINFORCE THAT CHILDREN--CHIL-DREN RIDING ON A DIFFERENT BUS THAN OTHERS ARE BAD AND WRONG AND TERRIBLE AND THEY CAN'T BE NEAR MY KID. SUPER great lesson. you should pat yourself on the back for that one.
Wow, holy overreaction. I didn't say that all kids on a SN bus are violent. But there can be some that are. And I don't go around saying that to random people so I'm not perpetrating anything. I have a son that used to have extreme difficulties controlling himself and was almost sent to a school for kids with ED. This doesn't mean I look down on kids with these difficulties. I am as liberal as the rest of this board, that doesn't mean I can't look at each set of facts seperately. Not everything is about intolerance and prejudice, sometimes it really is just the facts of a situation.
Wow, holy overreaction. I didn't say that all kids on a SN bus are violent. But there can be some that are. And I don't go around saying that to random people so I'm not perpetrating anything. I have a son that used to have extreme difficulties controlling himself and was almost sent to a school for kids with ED. This doesn't mean I look down on kids with these difficulties. I am as liberal as the rest of this board, that doesn't mean I can't look at each set of facts seperately. Not everything is about intolerance and prejudice, sometimes it really is just the facts of a situation.
What facts? The facts that you made up? When you decided everyone on the bus was going to beat this snatchdragon's son to death, then kick him off the bus to be made fun of by non-violent, normal kids?
Again, I didn't say EVERYONE on the bus but most of you want to ignore the fact that any violent kids could be on that bus. My son was incredibly violent during his episodes. And I wouldn't want my other son to be subjected to that with any regularity if it could be avoided. This lady might be a horrible, intolerant person, I don't know. I'm not, I have been all around this issue with kids in special Ed, normal classes and middle school. I am speaking from a place of experience and knowledge. And most kids don't make fun of truly disabled kids, but they would very likely make fun of a non-disabled kid riding the SN bus.