Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Delaney's Bus Driver

taught her a great new rhyme! I'm so proud and excited that an adult I trust her with is so responsible. Here it is. . .

"Boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider,
Girls go to college to get more knowledge!"


Okay, I expect my kids to come home saying things that they've heard in school or on the bus that aren't appropriate. What I didn't expect however, was for an adult paid by the school district to be teaching them sassy things! Not sure how to address this - what do you all think? Am I offended for no reason? I know there are lots of busdrivers that read this (Grandma, Aunt Sheri. . . ) - do you teach those kinds of things to your kids?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well...First of all, guess that one made me laugh outloud...but as always, there are two sides to every issue. I didn't really find it that offenisve... and No, I've not taught any kids on my bus such poetry... but I have done other creative things to occupy the time for young riders such as kindergartners --- a whole lot of singing and other things some might term as crazy...experience tells me they've great difficulty staying in their seat... and not only do I have to make certain they do so for their own safety, I've got to keep my complete attention on the road and other drivers around me to guarantee they get home to mom and dad no matter what may come out of their mouth...I've certainly heard much, much worse coming from a student's mouth which gets repeated at home as well... My best guess is the driver was just trying to have fun with the kids and keep them occupied by chanting the rhyme. I wouldn't take too much offense to it...a parent's job is to help Delaney discern what is worthy of repeating and what is not..cuz you can't control what she's going to hear..... school district personnel or not :-)...i'm sure she thought it was funny because all the other kids were laughing and joining in on the hype of it all and was passing on that excitement to her mom! Here is my suggestion...take the time and ride the route with her one day..you'll get a whole new appreciation for your bus driver. Maybe then you can mention your concerns...Overall, in the big ocean of "public schools and bussing" I think there's way bigger fish going to be swimming Delaney's way. You're excellent parents..she's a smart young girl..she'll make wise choices. I'm glad she's sharing everything she hears with you :-)

Ann said...

okay, maybe offended wasn't the right word - perhaps surprised? I'm all for silly songs and fun on the bus. That's certainly a job I wouldn't have the patience for! But the schools want us to make sure our kids don't tease others and aren't being teased. Doesn't that little poem work against that goal?

Anonymous said...

I agree with you...it's basic kindergarten playground level of chatter and the driver could have been a more positive role model with his/her choice of rhymes. My main thought in this however is when you look at the big picture of a young student riding the bus and coming away completely unscathed the district and driver are going to give their attention to matters such as: was she denied a seat to ride in by other kids? was she directly teased or bullied by other kids? was she physically harmed by another kid? was she inappropriately touched by another kid? those are the big fish I'm speaking of she may encounter...which of course I'd find offensive right along with you... but honestly, I wouldn't be surprised cuz it happens. Those are the things I am supposed to watch for as a driver with those eyes in the back of my head while I keep the eyes in the front of my head on the road :-) I hope none of my G-kids have to endure a situation like that...that's why I tell them to sit in the front of the bus, make sure you daily say thank you to your driver.. and of course, bring him/her a lovely gift at Christmas! LOL...but yes, the poem does work against that goal... so hopefully you can use the situation as a great learning experience for her.... maybe she'll be the one kid who tells the driver to stop cuz it's not OK to tease!

MAV06 said...

Sis -
Guess I better keep my teacher opinion about "all school staff setting a positive example for our children" to myself. I agree: bigger fish to fry and great "teachable moment" for a mommy and me talk. It is great that she shares it all - that isn't always the case!
Love ya!

MAV06 said...

And wouldn't it be nice if all staff were positive role models since that is part of our job when we are in a postition of trust and influence of young children. We need to be the change we want to see in the world!

Ann said...

okay, g'ma the bus driver. what is a good christmas gift for those bus drivers?

Anonymous said...

Ya know a $5.00 gift card at Dunn Bros would certainly make this G'ma Bus Driver feel appreciated by that student rider... and I've always loved getting hand written thankyou notes from my riders... it's rare folks remember their bus drivers though... and paper route delivery people !