Mrs. Mik
Abbotsford, Wisconsin
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I must say, it's certainly an adventure driving a school bus! Nothing ever stays the same. Every day, there's some new challenge. I know I've stated that I liked driving the school bus, and despite what you're going to read next, I stand by that statement! LOL
Yesterday, I had a kid on the bus who has caused problems in the past. He/she's only been riding for a couple weeks now, but boy, oh, boy, I must say, this child is going to give me more gray hair than my own children! LOL
Yesterday's events were nothing to spit at . . . (no pun intended!) Actually, there was quite a bit of spit involved! This kid was not only shooting spit balls, but spitting on kids! I didn't realize this was going on (despite my near constant checking of my mirror), until a child brought the spitballs up to me and told me. I thanked the child and waited until the child got back to the his/her seat. (I don't want to reveal anything here, so need to be non-gender specific.) I pulled the bus over and walked back to the older kids and said, in a very stern voice "who's throwing spitballs?" No one said anything. I said it again. Still nothing. I was alerted (surreptitiously) as to who the culprit was, and stared him/her down and asked him/her again. Once again, he/she denied it. I crossed my arms, leaned back against the back of one of the seats, and said "I'm not moving until I find out who did it" and just stared at the kids -- all of them. Finally one kid spoke up and claimed he/she did it. I knew it wasn't him/her, so I looked at him/her and said "you're lying." The other kids started laughing. I know he/she said it because he/she wanted to get home and was merely hoping I'd be dumb enough to believe it -- he/she's a good kid, and has NEVER given me any issues before. Not only that, but he/she was SMILING when he/she said it! DUH! I'm not a COMPLETE idiot! I've got three kids. Believe me, I can tell when one of them is lying! LOL
So once again, I looked at the offender and the offender was irritated because I didn't believe the other kid who admitted to it. I told the offender straight out that the other kid was lying and so was he/she. I stared at the offender again and asked him/her if he/she was throwing spit balls. The offender finally admitted to it. I then told him/her to get up in the front of the bus, NOW. Unfortunately, it was only about 1/2 a mile from this kid's stop, so coming to the front of the bus really didn't have any effect.
After I got back to the yard, I called the company and told them what happened. It turns out that the child who had all the phlegm/spitballs/spit in his/her hair's mother had already called to complain. I don't blame the mom. I would have done the same thing!
The final decision was made by the bus company and agreed to by the principal of the school. The offender is OFF THE BUS FOR TWO WEEKS. That works for me! I will not tolerate that kind of behavior, period. That's just disgusting and absolutely unacceptable.
When all my kids were on the bus and we were ready to roll, I stood up to talk to them about yesterday. I informed them that the offender was off the bus for two weeks because of yesterday's behavior. I also told them that I WILL NOT TOLERATE that sort of behavior on my bus, EVER. They are going to sit and behave, PERIOD. I also told them that if the offender does something like that again, the offender will be off the bus for a longer period, and that a third time means NO BUS any more for the year. I told them that they are headed down the same road and I will not hesitate to write them up.
They were pretty good for a while, and then one young lady started yelling. I didn't stop the bus, but I yelled to the back . . . STOP YELLING!
She quieted down. But I wasn't through, as I really needed to step on these kids to make them understand that I'M THE BOSS, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THEIR CRAP!
I then yelled to them (quite loudly, but still reserving my "loudest voice"): THE ONLY PERSON ALLOWED TO YELL ON THIS BUS IS ME!!!!
For the rest of the ride, the kids were awesome and I was quite happy! This particular route has had issues for years. Without the one troublemaker on this route for so long, the owner of the company (and another driver) managed to get the kids under control, to the relief of the good kids on the bus. I wasn't about to let that slip through my fingers and was quite disappointed to have to deal with what happened yesterday.
BUT, the good news is that the "bad" kids are coming to realize that I'm not going to take their guff and they better behave, or they're not going to be riding the bus!
As I said in the beginning, I'm still enjoying it! The company I work for was concerned that I may be feeling a bit of "what did I get myself into here", (which I appreciated) and offered to have the safety director ride with me to talk to the kids and keep the kids in hand, but I told them that I needed to be able to handle this myself, as I don't want the kids to think that I need help to keep them under control. I assured them that this was something I could deal with and they understood and agreed. I always have the option of getting help to get the kids under control, but truth be told, the kids were great until the one troublemaker started riding.
I told the company that I've got three kids of my own and I'm sure I can handle the kids on my bus. They were pleased to hear that and glad that I'm not "losing it" after a rather difficult day!
What a challenge! I never thought I'd be driving a school bus, or dealing with the issues mentioned above, but I'm really enjoying this! It's such new territory for me, that I can't help but embrace it. When I solve a problem, and the kids are happy (they really DO like rules and structure, you know!), it makes me happy! Being told by a company that has been dealing with kids on school buses for at least 50 years that you're doing the right thing and handling things properly, is awesome!
* This post was
edited 10/23/09 09:55pm by Mrs. Mik *
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Admin
Channel Islands Harbor, Ca.
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Joined: 06/20/2000
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I'm curious and maybe you have already posted it but do your kids ride on your bus ??
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Mrs. Mik
Abbotsford, Wisconsin
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Joined: 04/01/2002
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Oh, Goodness, Admin! That's the threat that I keep my kids in line with these days! LOL According to them, that's a fate worse than death! 
According to my children I'm not even allowed to tell my bus kids my full name (I'm simply Mrs. Mik to them) OR the name of my kids because they know some of the kids on my bus! LOL
I don't even drive for the same school district, but the district I drive for does have shared activities with my kids' school district, such as the swim team.
I'm hoping that in a year or two, I can drive for my kids' school district, only because I'd like to have the same days off as my kids, and right now, I don't have that.
Julie
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Code2High
Ridgecrest, CA
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Joined: 12/21/2004
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Sigh... I suppose pepper spray is out of the question?
susan
They didn't call her "Plain Gravy" for nothing.
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Mrs. Mik
Abbotsford, Wisconsin
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Unfortunately, that's kind of frowned upon.
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J R
6 Mo. S.E. MI.-6 Mo. S.W. Fl
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Joined: 01/18/2002
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Try "Wasp Spray".
It work great, and is cheaper 
J R
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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Duct tape works well, too.
Don't ask how I know, I will NEVER admit it...
Besides, the statute of limitations has run out!
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 274,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '08 Subaru Outback
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited/Load Trail 16' flatbed
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chrisnpat
Gurnee,Il
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Joined: 06/11/2004
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Good Job Julie, and I know that "LOUD VOICE" of yours, they keep pushing you and LOOK OUT. LOL
Life is what happens to you, while you are busy making other plans. "John Lennon"
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Opie431
Bellevue, MI
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Joined: 06/19/2004
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Ours prayers are with you.
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Cloud Dancer
San Antonio and Livingston TX USA
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Joined: 06/08/2001
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I would drive a school bus, except I would be a danger to the kids....
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
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