tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post6204171126063596968..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Transportation ThreadMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-69662602903904460402009-09-02T11:31:37.372-07:002009-09-02T11:31:37.372-07:00rsd:
There are specific yellow bus guidelines on ...rsd:<br /><br />There are specific yellow bus guidelines on the seattle schools transportation page.<br /><br />The link is at:<br />http://www.seattleschools.org/area/transportation/ServStandards.xml<br /><br />There's some grey area, of course, in the Yellow Bus for middle school students at K-8 programs but, at least to my reading, if you're outside the walk zone you're supposed to get a bus.<br /><br />The grey area is under the "middle school" section. It says:<br />An eligible non-traditional graded school: K-6, K-7, or K-8. In these situations the yellow school bus service will be determined based upon the K-5 draw area.<br /><br /><br />stuStuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769983958729170219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2028779578313442822009-09-02T11:16:47.999-07:002009-09-02T11:16:47.999-07:00I am concerned about my 6th grader transferring Me...I am concerned about my 6th grader transferring Metro buses in Lake City on his way to Jane Addams. Until I got our transportation letter I had no idea that he wouldn’t be on a yellow bus.<br /><br />Does anyone know what the rules are for transportation this year? Are the rules posted anywhere? <br /><br />Is there a minimum distance from school before you are eligible for transportation? A maximum distance before you become ineligible? Why do some middle school kids get yellow bus service while others get Metro passes? <br /><br />Do K-8 schools have different rules than elementary schools or middle schools? Why wouldn’t kids in a K-8 school be eligible for yellow bus service if some comprehensive middle school kids get yellow bus service? Is Jane Addams considered an option school, and does this affect whether yellow bus or Metro bus service is provided?Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09707042629507059848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87506144203855593112009-09-01T18:17:12.438-07:002009-09-01T18:17:12.438-07:00Part Two:
My friend called Transportation this af...Part Two:<br /><br />My friend called Transportation this afternoon and was told that all middle school students are getting metro passes. And here I thought that all those time changes were so that they could run the routes more efficiently!<br /><br />stuStuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769983958729170219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68472105629992266662009-09-01T16:39:50.038-07:002009-09-01T16:39:50.038-07:00A friend of mine just sent an email saying that he...A friend of mine just sent an email saying that her middle school son is getting a metro pass to Eckstein . . . no more yellow bus to middle schools now? Was that always part of the plan?<br /><br />stuStuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769983958729170219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25396737772161888542009-08-28T14:37:36.477-07:002009-08-28T14:37:36.477-07:00I am still waiting for my son's bus informatio...I am still waiting for my son's bus information. <br /><br />I called again today (after being told that notices will be mailed on 8/27/09) and hit 0 for the operator. Apparently they are now going to be mailed on 8/31. They have no info on my son's bus route (Lowell from NE). <br />It is due to "glitches in the computer system".<br /><br />We should expect mailed notices mid next week.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13865361028544783972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73360766758923218142009-08-24T09:58:03.269-07:002009-08-24T09:58:03.269-07:00Well, I called Transportation and they looked up m...Well, I called Transportation and they looked up my son's information. They said that they do not have the times yet (to Lowell) but that they are mailing the letters on the 27th. I asked if she could find it now and all that his record showed was "eligible for transportation".<br /><br />Hrmmm.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13865361028544783972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-80068956115709148892009-08-23T17:50:16.462-07:002009-08-23T17:50:16.462-07:00Melissa, High School kids only get a Metro Pass if...<b>Melissa</b>, High School kids only get a Metro Pass if they live over 2.5 miles from their assigned school. Like Andrew, we live 2.2 miles from our kid's school, so we pay the $27 a month (more this year). Well worth it to keep him off the streets in the dark with a 200 pound (!) backpack.<br /><br />One thing that surprised me: I assumed that the District must get a big discount on the passes since they buy in bulk, but Harium looked into it last year and says that they pay the full price!<br /><br />Do any of you have HS kids who are given passes, but don't use them? I have a feeling quite a bit of District money is going to Metro for bus rides that are never taken.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20648494307012070812009-08-23T12:00:56.984-07:002009-08-23T12:00:56.984-07:00All high school students DO get a Metro pass. But...All high school students DO get a Metro pass. But, again, there are some, Special Ed and those who do not access to Metro at all or only at certain times of the day, who get yellow bus service. I agree; the walk zone is too big and should be smaller for high school to encourage walking and biking to school.<br /><br />This issue over Metro service is non-starter. They tell the district no and now they have no money to add to routes so it's really a big fat no.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17840928845646025192009-08-23T00:43:34.095-07:002009-08-23T00:43:34.095-07:00Stu- in case you missed this
I do think that Metro...Stu- in case you missed this<br /><i>I do think that Metro needs to have dedicated routes for students or at the very least redesign some routes to be more efficient.</i><br /><br />When my daughter attended high school, yellow buses were available for most schools<br /> ( had they not been- I would have looked closer at other alternatives), <br /><br />she was not able to take the after school bus, because she was assigned a class that was held after school<br /> ( she was allowed to come in late however- but again, couldn't take the bus, because there was no where for her to spend her hour before <i> her</i> classes started- the library was not staffed at that time.<br /><br />So for her because yellow buses " were available" she was not given a Metro pass, but because she couldn't use the yellow bus for transportation- we had to buy one.<br /><br />( She didn't need to transfer downtown, she transferred in the U district)Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89091597259208743012009-08-23T00:11:14.213-07:002009-08-23T00:11:14.213-07:00In theory, emeraldkity, I agree with you. But the...In theory, emeraldkity, I agree with you. But the issue isn't just about students taking Metro to school, it's taking two or three metro buses, during rush hour or after dark, with connections to make or miss. It's starting at 6:30 in the morning or ending at 6:30 at night' it's serious safety and timing issues and, as long as the district REQUIRES my son to attend a school way out of cluster, by refusing to offer the same programs at the local high school, I believe they need to transport him there and back.<br /><br />I'd be surprised to hear that you would have let your 14-year-old daughter stand at a bus stop in NW Seattle, at 6:30 AM, to take a bus to another bus, to take that bus downtown, to transfer to another bus that takes her near to Garfield. 18 years old? Sure. 14? No way.<br /><br />stuStuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769983958729170219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90170383601153133972009-08-22T21:07:19.228-07:002009-08-22T21:07:19.228-07:00I understand about the public buses, they can be &...I understand about the public buses, they can be " colorful & a slice of life", but learning about urban life by taking the city bus, in a fairly affluent and educated city like Seattle , is IMO, a relatively gentle way to teach awareness and street skills.<br /><br />Kids don't all of a sudden know how to deal with being on their own, including going across the country or world for college or travel at 18 if they have not had increasing responsibility for self care along the way, including getting themselves around town.<br /><br />My daughter has a funny story about that. Recently she returned from spending four months traveling, essentially by herself, although she had plans to meet people along the way.<br /><br />( <i>She was eighteen when she set out, she turned nineteen about a month before she came home</i>- we are not a well traveled family, between the two of us, my husband and I have been on 5 or six flights, although never together- where she got this traveling bug- I don't know)<br /><br />I was <i>terrified </i>of her doing this, she didn't like to go into our basement by herself- how could she go across the world?<br /><br />She volunteered in India for two months, traveled through southwestern India with another volunteer for a month, and then got herself to Mumbai and back to Chennai where she then flew through Abu Dhabi to Heathrow where she took a train to Leeds to visit friends.<br /><br />The English girls were amazed that she negotiated Heathrow & the London tube and train system by herself ( and all her baggage)<br /><br />She just laughed- after all the signs were in English!<br /><br />Oftentimes, we can rise to the occasion, and our kids know if we think they can do so.Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62087133814968890802009-08-22T20:40:43.507-07:002009-08-22T20:40:43.507-07:00We live 2.2 miles from Garfield, where my daughter...We live 2.2 miles from Garfield, where my daughter will be a freshman, so we're not eligible for a Metro pass because the "walk zone" is 2.5 miles. We can afford to buy a metro pass on our own, but what about families that can't afford it? Is it really reasonable to expect some kids to walk 45 minutes to and from school every day (lugging heavy backpack)?Andrew Kwatinetzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03963324854632142715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19904791056913719342009-08-22T20:15:41.138-07:002009-08-22T20:15:41.138-07:00As far as children waiting for their school bus at...As far as children waiting for their school bus at 6:45 am, it would be safer for elementary school children because they must be accompanied by a parent or other caregiver. High school students would be more likely to be sent out on their own to catch the bus.Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16260807460417787614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-160613399234307402009-08-22T19:11:59.789-07:002009-08-22T19:11:59.789-07:00Thanks for satisfying my curiosity. I can see your...Thanks for satisfying my curiosity. I can see your point. And I have sympathy for the one bathroom problem; we also just have the one for the whole family. <br /><br> I am still not ready to let my 5'2'' 9th grader ride the city bus - especially for a ride that will take two transfers. I ride the bus to work. His father rode the bus to work until he started working from home. The whole family rides the bus for family outings to downtown. I believe in public transportation. I just think school buses are public transportation. I don't want him on the #7. <br /><br> Last year, a friend's child had his backpack stolen from him at the bus stop. He chose to just let his backpack go. My child has a loud mouth; he could get in some real trouble. Another child had his phone taken from him on the bus. The #7 is a dicey ride.<br /><br> The extra traffic I see on school days seems more related to parents driving their kids to school, not the school buses. I can wait for a school bus.Sydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715140880268606856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68005467045594525512009-08-22T15:02:00.875-07:002009-08-22T15:02:00.875-07:00adhoc Why are some K-8's on the 915A start tim...<b>adhoc</b> <i>Why are some K-8's on the 915A start time and others on the 815A start time?</i> <br /><br />From what I remember, when the final list was made, TOPS and Salmon Bay moved to the later bus drop off time because they had many buses that took at least an hour to get to school (because their draw areas are so much bigger than most K-8 schools. AS#1 would have had to stay on that list if they had been allowed to keep their all city draw. The <a href="http://www.seattleschools.org/area/transportation/times/approvedtranstimes.pdf" rel="nofollow">posted </a>drop off time is 8:50, so I don't know why TOPS isn't starting until 9:15 (maybe they are trying to be realistic about the buses--most of them were late for most of last year).<br /><br />One thing that bothers me is that the 9:15 start time at TOPS (FOR ALL GRADES) means that the middle schoolers will not have a 6 hour 20 minute day like all of the other middle schoolers in town. I don't know how TOPS managed to arrange that. On the other hand, K-5 must be getting an extra 15 minutes of recess, since K-5 teachers only teach a 6 hour day.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72517324984437727742009-08-22T12:47:10.503-07:002009-08-22T12:47:10.503-07:00Well Syd, while one child did attend private schoo...Well Syd, while one child did attend private schools another child attended Public schools.<br /><br />When she went from an alternative school that began at 9 am, to a comprehensive that began at 7:40 am, that was a huge shift.<br /><br />High school students need sleep to perform well , their bodies are still growing (!)requiring more sleep, they may have after school jobs or sports teams and not get home till 10 pm or later.<br />( I do see that this upcoming year her school will start at 8am)<br /><br />As for why I am still interested in education in Seattle it is fairly simple to understand.<br />I am a current & long time volunteer in the schools, there are many new families in my neighborhood and I care about their experience & I also believe quality of public services inc .education directly impacts the livability of the city.<br /><br />Start times might seem arbitrary, but it is anything but- to someone that raised my kids in a two bedroom one bath house- logistics are important!<br /><br />When I see a school bus idling outside my house for 10 minutes, because it is garbage pickup day and they didn't back up when they saw the truck and instead waiting until the truck left the street to take the kids to school, I think about all those kids who are now going to be late and how that can affect their whole day.<br /><br />The way the bus routes are designed clog traffic, IMO, take way too much time and don't necessarily provide a safe environment for students. ( google diesel and fumes)<br /><br />I also do not believe that outside of IEPS that require transportation to be provided, that high school students should be treated differently depending on the school they attend.<br /><br />Providing students with Metro passes increases autonomy for students and doesn't make one group of students different from the rest.<br /><br />Not everyone has a car, or a parent to drive them- staying after school for tutoring, for sports, for committee meeting means that you have to get your own transportation- Bus passes, just put everyone on the same page.<br /><br />I do think that Metro needs to have dedicated routes for students or at the very least redesign some routes to be more efficient.<br /><br />Any more questions?Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31727707229462420982009-08-22T12:39:07.519-07:002009-08-22T12:39:07.519-07:00I'm interested in Syd's comment that HS st...I'm interested in Syd's comment that HS students ought not to be out waiting for buses at 6.30am - its too dark and dangerous...<br /><br />Wonder what makes it any safer for elementary/middle school-age kids to be waiting outside for the bus at 6.45am????Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56481584514290648502009-08-22T12:05:43.537-07:002009-08-22T12:05:43.537-07:00Also, I am really curious as to why emaraldkity is...Also, I am really curious as to why emaraldkity is so interested in start times and transportation issues. For some issues, I can understand why a parent who has chosen private schools for their family (personal choice based on their family's needs) would want to remain part of the conversation. Improving public schools is the responsibility of everyone. For other issues, it seems weird - like start times. <br /><br /><br> I am seriously interested, not just casting asparagus. I want to know.Sydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715140880268606856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65869466966826168362009-08-22T12:01:01.893-07:002009-08-22T12:01:01.893-07:00I don't think all HS school students should ri...I don't think all HS school students should ride the city bus. I actually think that is ridiculous. From some places in the city it is going to take 1.5 hours to get to school. Since they begin school at 8:00, they will need to be on the bus by 6:30. It is dark at 6:30 for most of the year. Is anyone doing a safety survey both for the walk and wait for the bus, and while on the bus? I know children who were hassled and robbed on the city bus last year. (9th graders are still pretty young to be riding the bus alone). The quickest way for my child to get to school is for me to drive him to light rail, and for him to transfer downtown. I don't want him downtown alone in the dark. Well, actually the quickest way is for me to drive him. <br /><br /><br> Additionally, I thought we discussed last year on this blog that APP students actually bring money into the transportation system. At least last year. I doubt HS APP students would be offered this option if the school district was not being subsidized by the state for this.Sydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715140880268606856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84127005953113634302009-08-22T11:41:47.661-07:002009-08-22T11:41:47.661-07:00you and me both, emeraldkitty....you and me both, emeraldkitty....Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85702229917800997312009-08-22T11:33:09.323-07:002009-08-22T11:33:09.323-07:00High schools, middle schools and most K-8 schools ...<i>High schools, middle schools and most K-8 schools are scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m. and go until 2:45 p.m. Elementary schools are scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. and go until 3:40 p.m. TOPS at Seward and Salmon Bay School, which has kindergarten though eight grade, would start have the same schedule.</i><br /><br />( from a 3-19-09 P-I article)<br />Am I too cynical because I don't think it is an accident that two of the district's most popular programs were allowed to maintain their schedule?Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62975874662136751362009-08-22T09:59:51.087-07:002009-08-22T09:59:51.087-07:00JA K-8 is also starting at 820A.
Why are some K-8...JA K-8 is also starting at 820A.<br /><br />Why are some K-8's on the 915A start time and others on the 815A start time?adhochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12912714470992480644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82880215571204840942009-08-22T09:51:38.291-07:002009-08-22T09:51:38.291-07:00Speaking of school start times... AS#1's has b...<i>Speaking of school start times... AS#1's has been moved forward to 8.15ish from 9.10am, which means many of our kids, including the majority who are K-5 aged, will be standing at bus stops as early as 6.45am...</i><br /><br />That is ridiculous-& not only is it too early to reasonably start school, but traffic seems heaviest at 7am-8amJet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84854905072710789732009-08-22T09:42:06.186-07:002009-08-22T09:42:06.186-07:00There are a couple of problems with this. One, the...<i>There are a couple of problems with this. One, the official APP ends at 8th grade. For 9th grade they are offered a seat at Garfield, move to the head of the line kind of thing, but there is NO APP program at GHS. So then why for transportation purposes define them as APP students to offer them a yellow school bus? Makes no sense.</i><br /><br />I agree.<br />There is no APP program at Garfield.<br />I also would like to see all high school students given a metro pass.Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87833575837645612142009-08-22T09:33:26.407-07:002009-08-22T09:33:26.407-07:00How did TOPS get their start time changed back to ...How did TOPS get their start time changed back to 9:15A?adhochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12912714470992480644noreply@blogger.com