Post by Concerned Columbus Parent on Feb 20, 2007 8:36:45 GMT -5
From: [hidden]
Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2007 15:22:36 EST
Subject: bus [# hidden] to [hidden school name]
To: CPScomplaints@yahoo.com
I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to see your web site! I had recently been in contact with [hidden] from [hidden news station] in regards to the bus route my daughter rode to [hidden] middle school. The majority of the students at the stop come from [hidden] apartments and have to cross the street with oncoming traffic in BOTH directions, then stand literally in the street to catch the bus when it stops. The snow is CLEARLY past the white line on the road and forces them to stand directly in the line of oncoming traffic. Where they are actually picked up is nothing more than a ditch! My heart felt like it was being ripped out every morning when I took my daughter to the end of the drive way and watched her walk in the street with cars zooming past her, to be able to catch her bus. I understand that I am not the only person that has an issue with this situation and I took some steps to try and do something about it. I spoke with someone named [hidden] with the CPSB. She took my information and called me back a few days later, advising me that my daughters bus stop was at a street to the next apartment complex down called [hidden]. THIS is NOT TRUE! I repeatedly told her that was not the case and she said she would be checking into it, yet I have heard nothing more from her. I also asked her how I would go about speaking at a school board meeting but she was quick to blow that off. I also told her about how my daughter had said that the lady that drives bus [# hidden] is constantly fiddling with things and talking on her cell phone while driving her route and is most often late. I may have only moved here a month ago, but I grew up only 17 miles from here and I can assure you these things do NOT happen there! Why should ANY child be forcefully be put in danger to get to school and receive an education? This is not the only issue I have. My daughter attended classes at [hidden] in the modular building behind the school. This building is extremely overcrowded and a teacher even asked me if I would please speak to someone about my concerns because they knew one day someone was going to get hurt. According to the fire prevention chief's office, the building needed to have capacity signs at the front and back and signs of what the capacity was to each room. Not only does it only have on[e] fire extinguisher clear at the back of the building, but it has NO capacity signs! I asked the school for the dimensions of the building and mentioned that there were no capacity signs. Mr. [hidden] at the school told me that the fire chief was aware of the buildings dimensions and that they were up to code. Apparently, certain modular buildings are not held to the specifications of the fire code, because they are considered temporary facilities, yet it's used EVERY day?!?!? Please tell me how that makes it a temporary facility??? After many sleepless nights and nightmares of the things my daughter had to go through, I pulled her out of [hidden school] and she will now be attending a charter school. Unfortunately, I have recently heard that some parents are having trouble with the buses that go to some of the charter schools as well. If this is the case, then I am sorry to say that my troubles are far from over. I'm thankful that I am not the only one out here that is willing to try and make a difference and allow these kids to get to school safely. I will be taking pictures at the bus stop today and video recording it tomorrow morning. I look forward to any new information you may have.
Sincerely,
[hidden]
Columbus, Ohio
~~~~~
Moderator's Note: When we receive an email from a Columbus area parent, I will protect their identifying & location info with [hidden] in the email and post them hereon the board. Note that I have added emphasis/color to parts that document dangerous situations to students. Stay tuned, the emails keep coming in!
~~~~~
Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2007 15:22:36 EST
Subject: bus [# hidden] to [hidden school name]
To: CPScomplaints@yahoo.com
I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to see your web site! I had recently been in contact with [hidden] from [hidden news station] in regards to the bus route my daughter rode to [hidden] middle school. The majority of the students at the stop come from [hidden] apartments and have to cross the street with oncoming traffic in BOTH directions, then stand literally in the street to catch the bus when it stops. The snow is CLEARLY past the white line on the road and forces them to stand directly in the line of oncoming traffic. Where they are actually picked up is nothing more than a ditch! My heart felt like it was being ripped out every morning when I took my daughter to the end of the drive way and watched her walk in the street with cars zooming past her, to be able to catch her bus. I understand that I am not the only person that has an issue with this situation and I took some steps to try and do something about it. I spoke with someone named [hidden] with the CPSB. She took my information and called me back a few days later, advising me that my daughters bus stop was at a street to the next apartment complex down called [hidden]. THIS is NOT TRUE! I repeatedly told her that was not the case and she said she would be checking into it, yet I have heard nothing more from her. I also asked her how I would go about speaking at a school board meeting but she was quick to blow that off. I also told her about how my daughter had said that the lady that drives bus [# hidden] is constantly fiddling with things and talking on her cell phone while driving her route and is most often late. I may have only moved here a month ago, but I grew up only 17 miles from here and I can assure you these things do NOT happen there! Why should ANY child be forcefully be put in danger to get to school and receive an education? This is not the only issue I have. My daughter attended classes at [hidden] in the modular building behind the school. This building is extremely overcrowded and a teacher even asked me if I would please speak to someone about my concerns because they knew one day someone was going to get hurt. According to the fire prevention chief's office, the building needed to have capacity signs at the front and back and signs of what the capacity was to each room. Not only does it only have on[e] fire extinguisher clear at the back of the building, but it has NO capacity signs! I asked the school for the dimensions of the building and mentioned that there were no capacity signs. Mr. [hidden] at the school told me that the fire chief was aware of the buildings dimensions and that they were up to code. Apparently, certain modular buildings are not held to the specifications of the fire code, because they are considered temporary facilities, yet it's used EVERY day?!?!? Please tell me how that makes it a temporary facility??? After many sleepless nights and nightmares of the things my daughter had to go through, I pulled her out of [hidden school] and she will now be attending a charter school. Unfortunately, I have recently heard that some parents are having trouble with the buses that go to some of the charter schools as well. If this is the case, then I am sorry to say that my troubles are far from over. I'm thankful that I am not the only one out here that is willing to try and make a difference and allow these kids to get to school safely. I will be taking pictures at the bus stop today and video recording it tomorrow morning. I look forward to any new information you may have.
Sincerely,
[hidden]
Columbus, Ohio
~~~~~
Moderator's Note: When we receive an email from a Columbus area parent, I will protect their identifying & location info with [hidden] in the email and post them hereon the board. Note that I have added emphasis/color to parts that document dangerous situations to students. Stay tuned, the emails keep coming in!
~~~~~