Rush Hour Rebels

A local news station is doing a series on the DC area’s “rush hour rebels.” who do whatever they can to beat the traffic.

http://www.news8.net/news/stories/0210/704037.html?ref=n8

“A national report last year named Washington traffic congestion the second worst in the country–only L.A. is worse — and we’ve seen enough traffic reports to know we spend an average of 62 hours a year stuck in delays.”

http://www.news8.net/news/stories/0210/704044.html?ref=n8

“HOV violators are nothing new, but people are astounded by the sheer audacity of it all. Just last week in New Jersey, a woman was ticketed for driving with a mannequin in the front seat. Many drivers say they’ve seen even worse.

Leesburg commuter David Clark says he’s “seen teddy bears, balloons with hats.”

It’s hilarious to see what people do just to shave a few minutes off the commute! I’m so glad I do not have to deal with a long commute to get to work or have to drive a long distance in the school bus (like some of my collegues do.) I don’t think I could take it everyday!

I’m with the folks who take an alternate route. If I can avoid sitting in traffic, I will. But sometimes, that’s not possible, and patience has to come into play. It’s not worth it, in my opinion, to put yourself at risk for an accident to go to work if you can take a day off. Some people just need to sit still for a little while and chill out. But, people are still being bold in this weather and many accidents are happening because of it.

I will try to keep up with the series so I can post the links here.

 

Winter Woes

From the afternoon of Feb. 5 to the evening of Feb 6, the mid-Atlantic region has been hit with record breaking snow! I think the highest total in my area is about 30+ inches!

http://www.news8.net/news/stories/0210/703791.html

The majority of area school systems are closed tomorrow (Monday Feb.8) due to the enormous amount of snow and unplowed side streets.

But, then we have DCPS…which is on a two hour delay…yep I said a TWO HOUR DELAY!!!

Are they serious? What about the safety of the kids especially the ones who use special needs transportation? Honestly, when they make these decisions, I don’t think they factor in special needs transportation.

Now, on Friday, when this storm just started to make it’s impact, I was driving on the DC streets and my tires were sliding! I don’t think an inch was even on the ground yet, but the roads were starting to get slick.

In my opinion, many of the DCPS buses are not fit to drive in this weather (let alone a rainy day!)

We had to park our buses in a lot the was a lot bigger than our regular lot. But, they have to dig all those buses out and then drive them to the lots (and clear our lots of 20+ inches of snow!) I’m not sure about how much snow the city of DC got, but I believe it’s probably comparable to the nearby counties.

This is insane. My car is still surrounded by snow and it’s evening. I didn’t plan on going to work anyway, due to the lack of my side street being barely plowed, packed down with ice (because the temperatures today didn’t reach above freezing and are dropping to about 5 to 15 degrees overnight) and even the closest interstate, that I drive to go into the city,  is not completely clear (my friend went out in it and shared this info with me!) Also, the fact I still have to be in to work at 6am, even though there is a delay, will not be possible,. I personally don’t think it’s worth it to risk sliding into someone’s vehicle, someone hitting me, getting stuck, slipping and falling, etc., then go into work and deal with those conditions and with school buses with bald tires! I have good attendance at work, but during this season, I am very cautious and try to use discernment on whether or not to go into work.

The FEDERAL GOVERNMENT is even closed! SMH!

METRO (http://wmata.com/) which most DC school students utilize to get to school, was shut down today and hasn’t made an announcement as of yet to whether or not they will resume their services. They were only running underground trains, but not buses and above ground stations.

I don’t know how DCPS came to make that crazy decision. Their usual excuse is they want the kids to be able to eat breakfast/lunch. But, my question is, how many teachers are going to show up? How many special ed bus drivers are going to show up? Will the kids show up? What do most kids do with a two hour delay? Watch a movie, eat, maybe play in the gym….most of them do little to no work at all. The kids are better off staying home, avoiding unplowed sidewalks or slippery half-plowed street (cause most people walk in the street when the sidewalks aren’t clear) and dealing with a foot of snow covering their metro bus stop.

They may have the downtown DC area cleared out, but I doubt the plows have gotten to all the side streets and by now they are probably packed down with ice on top. I will not be surprised to see parents and kids heading out to the schools. If I had children, I wouldn’t put my kids through that, even though they are probably getting on their parent’s nerves by now! lol

One can only wait and see the outcome….

*edited to add….They made a decision to close the schools for tomorrow. Thank God!*

 

Merry Christmas!

⁶ For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.-Isaiah 9:6-7

⁹ In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. -1 John 4:9-10

Have a blessed day and remember the real reason for this day!

 

Thankful!

Wow…it’s a been a little while since I’ve updated my blog. I didn’t realize it was September since I posted. Now it’s a few days after Thanksgiving and a few more days until December!

A lot has changed since the last posting, but the one thing that hasn’t changed is my stance that I took in the last few postings. Discipline is still needed and it should be taken seriously. I’m so glad that I don’t have to deal with those kids anymore, but my heart and prayers go out to those who do have to deal with them and for the kids as well.

So, after I got myself off of the run (with the grace of God assistance) I was a “swing” (substitute) driver for about a month and a half. I met some interesting people and discovered that some people don’t have the same work ethic as I do (not saying I have it all together! lol) But, basically things like being on time is something I have had to deal with!

During that time, I was able to go on a few routes who didn’t have regular drivers. So, I was able to see what was available when the bidding time came up again. This time was actually pushed back several times due to employee complaints (smh!)

So, when they finally had it, there was some chaos and confusion! I personally didn’t prefer the method they used because I don’t think it was fair. In the beginning of the year, some people bid on routes and they didn’t get the school they bid on, but  they decided to still keep that route and they ended up wanting to stay on it. But, because of the bidding process, if they didn’t have the senority to stay there, they would have to go to another route. I think the driver/attendant should have been given a choice to stay on that route (especially if they were doing what they were supposed to do) and so they wouldn’t have to bid again. But, it didn’t work out that way. Some people still ended up with something they didn’t want. Also, I was on two routes (lol) so they let me stay on the first one.

The route that I’m on now has two schools. One school lets in at 7:15am and I pick up one child who lives about 6 minutes (or less) away from the school. He has his moments at times. I can tell that he’s a smart boy that doesn’t get much discipline.

The second school I pick up lets in at 8:30am. The kids all don’t live to far from each other. I’m glad I don’t have to cross any major bridges! They are decent kids. They are five middle schoolers with hormones a-raging! LOL

There are three girls and two boys and two of the girls just tease and flirt with the boys often and the boys just kinda chill and sometimes go back and forth with them….LOL

I’m so grateful to God that even though the beginning of the year was so hard, I was blessed with this route. I have my challenges, but it doesn’t compare to the other group of kids. Now, if I can only stay until the end of the year (without something happening beyond my control) I will be good!

Hopefully, I will update this blog more often.

God Bless!

 

Worst Start Ever Part 2

I’m grieved.

I’ve been through many situations on this route since I last blogged. But, I’m glad to say by the grace of God, I will no longer return to that route.

Here’s a quick update:

After much verbal abuse, fighting, and threats from some of these kids on the bus, it escalated to the point of calling the police because several of the kids were fighting and the attendant (yes there was only one) tried to break it up and he couldn’t handle it. This event happened last Tuesday (9/8/09.)

During this time, the student who started all of the commotion was totally out of control. He spit from the back of the bus (where he was being held by the attendant) to the front (which hit myself, and two other kids) and of course those two kids retaliated by trying to fight him. He also threatened to beat me up and to kill me! The police came, one of them called the boy’s mother and talked to her. It was so funny to me how they tried to act like little angels when the police were on the bus.

But, it didn’t take long for them to act up again after I was on my way to take them to school. The school was notified, but they didn’t take these things seriously. I think they try to weigh too heavily on their disability.

I cannot believe that boy threatened to kill me and since I take that seriously, I went to my manager and told him I could no longer do that route for fear of my safety. These kids also threatened the original attendant that was with me and she was so stressed, she couldn’t do it anymore. We both wrote these kids up several times and also wrote sworn statements telling of how these kids disrespected and threatened us.

My manager was on my side. He knew of the situation from a few meetings before this one. He called the head of investigations for transportation (he had him on speakerphone) and told him (paraphrase)”I have a driver here who just got a death threat from a student.”

The response from this person was (paraphrase)”Well, did she follow such and such procedures?”

Uh…did you just here what the man said? He said death threat! I thought this to myself.

My manager responds (paraphrase) “So you’re gonna let my driver get stabbed in the neck before this kid is removed?” (visibly getting angry)

My manager then picks up the phone and the head of investigations proceeds to ramble on and my manager rolls his eyes and tells him that he is going to call him back. Now, my manager sees the hypocrisy in this situation and wonders if this was a situation where a driver or attendant threatened a child, they would be removed from the route. He also told me that since I felt my life was in danger, he was not going to force me to do this route.

I have not done this route since then. I also went to my doctor and she took my blood pressure. Because I was so stressed out, she wrote me a note to give to my employer requesting me to removed from this route.

Since then, I’ve done other routes, and I thank God that I’m off. It wasn’t going to get any better, because these kids have gotten away with their behavior with little or no disciplinary action against them.

It took me a while to get my thoughts together to write this, but today my supervisor told me that this morning these kids  were fighting once again on the bus, which lead to the the police and ambulance being called, and a student and attendant admitted to the hospital!

I asked my supervisor what is going to be done about it? He said their going to have a meeting about it today.

I’m angry!

After all those write ups, sworn statements, meetings with my manager and union reps, the head of investigations being informed, police calls and now injuries something is being done about this?

I blame transportation (specifically those who knew about it)  for not taking the numerous situations seriously (especially a death threat!) Why did it get to this point before there was some action taken? It just shows me how much some of those who are leaders in this organization value their employees. They just want a job done! I had to protect myself because they wouldn’t have cared if I got injured by one of these kids.

These kids need to know whose the boss and have some consequences for their actions like suspension or being kicked off the bus permanently. DCPS need to have their disciplinary actions in concrete and abide by them.

I blame the parents for not disciplining these (troublemaking) kids (and giving them the proper medication), despite the fact they have a disability, they clearly know right from wrong. They need to be held responsible and take their kids to school (or find some other way of transportation for them) if they cannot obey bus rules.

I blame the school, because when these things were brought to their attention, they didn’t respond in the proper way. We all are supposed to be working together (transportation and school) to make sure these kids get safely to school. Some of the kids who didn’t do anything on the bus (or bothered anyone) have gotten caught up in the mess!

I’m in prayer for the injured persons and hopefully the culprits get the boot from the bus! I know the kids need an education and need to get to school. But when they don’t want to abide by the safety rules and are causing other kids harm, their needs to be another alternative for them.

 

14 Year Old Girl Pulls Gun on School Bus

This came to my attention when this was posted on a message board I frequent.

http://fedstv.com/Video/Caught-On-Tape—14-Year-Old-Lil-Girl-Loads-Gun-And-Waves-it-Recklessly-On-School-Bus-.aspx?bcmediaid=dbbafaae-8123-41ce-80d6-0a7b2abaa7f6

http://www.nowpublic.com/sports/kaleb-eulls-high-school-football-star-stops-school-bus-shooting

I’m definitely an advocate for cameras on school buses. I especially need one on my bus. I think some parents are in denial about their children’s behavior and I think it’ll be good for all buses to have them.

It’s unfortunate that she had to bring a gun to school to solve a problem. It’s sad. I’m glad the football player was able to get the gun from her. I hope she gets the help she needs.

 

Worst Start Ever…

The 09-’10 (I can’t believe I’m typing that) has started out on a sour note. After the ‘ease’ of summer school, I should have known the “storm was coming!” Some of the challenges I’ve faced since the first day of school are:

*Arriving to work on time, and encountering a long line (almost to the door) just to sign in and receive my trip sheet.

*Receiving a trip sheet only to see that another child has been added (who lives outside of the district) and read that I was supposed to leave 30 minutes ago.

*Asking for a bus (I’m still without one while others have their own) and having to wait around to get one (which makes me later). Also, having to deal with co-workers who steal buses (without reprimand!)

*Finally getting a bus and because they added a new child that lives out of the way of the others (in MD) it takes me an additional hour to get to my ‘regulars.’

*Getting to the ‘regulars’ homes late and my attendant telling me the parents are wondering why we are late (and why we have a different bus everyday?) Also, arriving to the school late since day one.

*Getting cursed out, and disrespected since day one by those who are on this route (there are 8 kids.) I had to actually return a child to his parent  (he hasn’t rode the bus since) because he didn’t want to put on his seat belt and sit by the window. Cursed out myself and my attendant because they are so used to doing what they want, when the rules are laid down, they don’t want to abide by them. It shocks me how some kids can’t even obey the basic bus rules. SMH…There was actually a fight today…thank God I had two attendants. I’m at my wits end with these kids and if God shows His mercy, I want to be off this one.  One good thing about this route is that the kids are not that far from each other and it’s easier to drive (most of the time.)

*Only God’s grace keeps me here. They are so dysfunctional it’s not funny at all. I’m hoping it’s get better, but changes need to happen. I know that budget cuts are causing challenges (we didn’t get any new buses this year) as well as other factors (mismanagement, incompetence) that are being bought to light. Also, an influx of new kids to the system is causing those who do the routing to put the kids anywhere and having a huge amount of kids per route. It’s a problem for me because I have alot of disobedient kids who are bound to react to petty things and cause all sorts of unnecessary drama on the bus. Unfortunately threatening them with a write up doesn’t put fear in their heart. One child even boasted about having been written up 16 times last year. (16 times???) This should not be. This system is broken!

I hope that it will improve in the coming days. There is a large task at hand, but it can be done. The only thing I can do is pray and show up. (which has been very hard lately.)

Meh… to year twelve.

 

Summer Breeze

I think this has got to be one of the best summers I’ve worked. Unfortunately, many of the attendants (that I mentioned in a previous blog) were furloughed, but some were called back. I think many of them made plans to take a vacation since they were not working. But, I talked to a few of them and they were extremely grateful to be able to work, because they had bills to pay! I still think there was a shortage, because many of the drivers were taking the attendants job this summer. There is always a reduced amount of routes in the summer, because many of the kids don’t attend summer school.

I only had two kids this summer. I was able to bid on my route and to get it for the summer. All of the children from the last school year was not on the list. For some reason, I thought they all would go. But, as I found out later, the school only approves a certain amount of children for attendance in the summer. Because they are a private school, they have their own policy unlike DCPS who allows any child whose parents want them to attend.

Summer school for DCPS started on June 29 and ended July 24. My school started on July 1 and just ended on July 31.

On the first day, I found out that one of my students was going on vacation the next day for two weeks. I found out another child on the roster (who was new) was not approved for summer school so he only rode the bus one day. I had one child in the PM (who rode another bus in the AM, but was on my bus in the previous school year) and he was pretty consistent.

He was out one week at the same time as the other child, so I didn’t have any kids to pick up for a week. It was kinda frustrating for me, because I still had to do some unneeded driving.

I was blessed to have an attendant who I met a few years ago. He remembered me and asked me did I have an attendant. I didn’t because my previous attendant was furloughed. They called her back to work, but she was on her way to visit her mother (which was long overdue!) So, he was able to hang with me for the summer and it was good! He did his job and is a friendly guy. He will be going back to his former lot (he was just on my lot for the summer).  I was also glad to have a newer bus with good air! Hopefully, I’ll be blessed with a good bus for the upcoming school year!

Our schedule was kinda unpredictable. Our supervisors liked to play games with us for some reason. One day they would let us go home early and somedays we had to wait out our time. I did appreciate those days when we were able to leave, though.

Now, it’s August and I think all of the schools are closed until the end of the month. So, normally we clean (which can be challenging), and gas up the buses. Sometimes we take buses through inspection and hopefully those buses that fail will be properly fixed.

I’m glad that summer school is through and I’m looking forward to what the 2009-2010 (wow I can’t believe it’ll be  2010!) will bring!

 

Two More Days!

Yesterday, I received a letter from the school to let me know that the school decided to stay open two extra days. But, they are half-days! So, that’s cool!

I believe DCPS Transportation needs more competent, enthusiastic workers and that’s all I will say about that!

 

The Last Week!

It’s finally here! I can’t believe how fast it came! My school’s official last day is June 12th! When I first started this school year I had another school, but as God’s providence would have it, I end the year with another one!

This year was a challenging one and I’m so glad it will be over soon.

Now the summer awaits me. I will be working for summer school, but unfortunately my attendant will not be with me! ::cries::

The economic crisis has hit our section (transportation) and they furloughed my attendant along with other because,  we supposedly, went over our budget. The “furloughed” employees are supposed to be getting unemployment as well as a job offer for the next school year. Hopefully they will get their jobs back because they are needed.

A new group of people (appointed by Mayor Fenty) are scheduled to take over next school year, so I anticipate many changes coming. But, for now, I will focus on summer school because I have to bid for a route. I’m not sure if I can get the same school with the same kids, but I will try. I hope that I get an attendant that does his/her best to come to work everyday, and treats me and the kids with respect. Also, I want this person to not be afraid to discipline the kids, not playing with them.

Four more days and counting!