Very good job. YOu are a great advocate.

Donna

For future reference, it is illegal for a child in elementary school or younger to be on the bus longer than 60 minutes one way. We went through this last year too and I did all the research on it. All I had to say to the transportation director was that Andrew is on the bus 75 minutes and I thought he couldn't be on longer than 60, it was changed in two days.

I've got the info somewhere, would just need to find it again.

Take care,
Laura (mommy to Andrew, 6 w/ spastic-quad CP)

I am nervous about the bus rides too since once we move Chloe's school alone is about 30min. away. The only good thing is there are only a few kids that will be on the bus so hopefully it won't be a long ride for her. If so, I think I'll just take her myself. Do buses typically have an aide or another person on the bus besides the driver? That's going to be another dealbreaker with me. If she doesn't have another person on the bus then I am going to take her myself. I always try to take the flies w/ honey approach first too just because people seem to respond better to that. I know I do. Great to hear that everything worked out for you!!

yay! good show! I hope that Caitlin's year is exciting!


typically there is not an aide on the buses unless a child on the bus needs one. This is something which can be written into her IEP if it is justified. A friend of ours rode my daughter's bus last year and actually has a nurse ride with him. Other times we have had aides on the bus for children with behavioral issues. However, if all the kids can ride safely alone there usually isn't an extra person.

If you do decide to drive her don't forget that you are entitled to travel reimbursement. There is usually a set amount per semester.

I'm so glad you got it all worked out without any fuss.

I *thought* this was true, but since I couldn't search the old forums to verify it, I never got around to posting.

As far as travel reimbursement goes, we've never applied for it, but if you're 30 minutes out, it might be worth the effort. At least out here, you have to have a certain level of car insurance to get the reimbursement. At the beginning of the school year, we always get forms about field trips. For some field trips, the kids ride in cars. If you want to volunteer to drive the kids, you have to have a fairly high level of car insurance set by the school district. This same amount of insurance is required if you are going to be reimbursed for transporting your SN child to school. We don't carry that high a level. The cost of increasing our insurance isn't worth the amount we would be reimbursed, since we're not going that far. For us, I *think* the amount is based on miles traveled, instead of a set amount for everyone. Hope that makes sense.

Anyway, I'm glad Caitlyn is not going to spend half her day on a bus.

In Indiana as far as I know its federal too. But its your paid
by mieage to transport your child to school. SO its whatever
the going rate for mileage is its I believe .37 cents. But don't
quote me. And the school will not just offer this usually.

And please ask about the aide. Most will not offer it.
Unless you bring it up.

Donna

Whew, I'm glad you got the time shorten, that was to darn long!!! What if a child had seizures, or needed meds before getting to school or home. Is there a law stating a child can only be on a bus for a certain amount of time, if not there should be??

I know I graduated high school in "81" and I was on a school bus for a long time everyday, of course this was before the ADA and other rights!

Robin