Mckaylee's bus driver needs to - be knocked down a peg or two

mckayleesmom wrote: Tonight I called Mckaylee's teacher to just let her know about Mckaylees mouth and that I would drop some tylonol off for her in the morning as well as the kids goody bags for Valentines day that we made. She told me that she had been meaning to call me to because she wanted to make me aware of a situation that happened at lunch on Friday. Rewind to last Friday..Mckaylee told me something about almost having to sit with her bus driver at lunch, but she got to stay with her class. I didn't know what she was talking about..so I shrugged it off. Her teacher told me that on Friday, McKaylee had already gotten her lunch and was sitting down when the bus driver walked up and told Mckaylee that she would have to go sit with her at lunch for falling asleep that morning on the bus...This bus driver does lunch detentions. She was seriously trying to punish Mckaylee for falling asleep on the bus. Mckaylees teacher said that she stepped in and told her that there was no way it was ethical to punish a kindergartener for falling asleep on the bus. Her teacher told her that no child in her class would ever be doing detention with her..they are kindergarteners. She told her that she could call and talk to me about Making sure Mckaylee gets to bed on time and stuff, but Mckaylee would be staying where she was. She later ran the situation by the principal and another bus driver and they told her teacher that the bus driver is suppose to check the bus routinely after she drops the kids off at school anyways...so there is no way that a child could be punished for that. She said that they are planning to talk with the bus driver, but if I do get a call from the bus driver that I should imediately make a complaint at the school.

Mckaylee does go to bed on time, but she is 5...it happens. Usually she falls asleep on the way home though and they just nudge her awake. Half the time she falls asleep while I'm getting her ready for school. She doesn't fall asleep all the time, but occassionally it happens...I don't see how she could be punished for that.

luvmykids replied: WOW, to say that would have me livid is pretty mild

The twins are almost seven and still fall asleep in the car soooo easily, I don't think it has as much to do with getting to bed on time as it does the age. And Macie is asleep by 8, gets up at 7, and is still guaranteed to fall asleep when I pick her up at 11.

I'm glad the teacher and principal had the sense to stick up for her

mckayleesmom replied:
I think it is just the weather..it has been colder here and with the heaters running it makes them sleepier...heck...even me and Russell sleep in later then normal these colder days.
Maybe I should give her a lunch detention for being an hour late to pick the kids up a month ago....The bus broke down..which is expected to happen every now and then, just like a kid falling asleep..so maybe we should hold her to the same standards...Who cares if it accidentally happens...DETENTION FOR EVERYONE..


Mckaylee said that her teacher and the bus driver actually got into a loud argument about it.

luvmykids replied: I know, with the heater on, if I wasn't driving I'd fall asleep in the car too

Calimama replied: Wow, that's insane! Good for her teacher for sticking up for her.

Nina J replied: Thats nuts.

If I am a passenger and the car is nice and warm, I fall asleep So I do not think McKaylee can really help getting a bit sleepy, she should be allowed to sit back and if she falls asleep, so what? It is a good thing, I would think. She is sitting safely in her seat, no problems. Let her sleep if she wants too. The bus driver sounds like they're on a power trip

MommyToAshley replied: What's wrong with her falling asleep on the bus? Just curious? The bus driver is way out of line and I am sure that there are more important issues the driver could be focusing on.

I wish Ashley was one of those kids that would fall asleep in a car. She could be awake for 24 hours and still wouldn't fall asleep unless she purposely tried to go to sleep. She's just never been one of those kids to fall asleep in a car, stroller, or anywhere else unless it is a mandated sleep time.

boyohboyohboy replied: Brianne, I think I would call the prinicple about what you were told and check into it, what if the bus drive has it out for her now, and just yells at her or punishes her for stupid things? I am sure the bus driver is not to happy with her teacher right now and macaylee might just get caught in the middle..
I am a worry wart when it comes to these things, so maybe I am making more of it then should be..
but she is young and in kindergarden and I would hate for this bus driver to make her not want to go to school.. or to teach her that she doesnt need to mind the bus driver because the teacher will stick up for her..

I think the bus driver sounds over the top..it concerns me that he would even think of punishing a child for sleeping..even if she did go to bed late, how is that her fault???

and dont they have to contact you if your child does something bad enough to be punished for it??

AlexsPajamaMama replied:
Alex falls asleep on the bus on the way home all the time. He's 4. It happens. And his bus driver doesnt think anything of it. He goes to bed at 7pm and gets up at 7am...so its not about not enough sleep. Its a long day for them at school.

Im so glad M didnt get in trouble for falling asleep on the bus. That bus driver has issues.

CantWait replied: I'M _______ and I fall asleep in a car etc.... no matter how much sleep I got the previous night, same as Anthony.

You're right, that driver needs to be knocked down a peg or two.

~Roo'sMama~ replied: That's ridiculous! I'm glad her teacher didn't agree with the bus drive! I hope she gets put in her place... I think I'd be casually checking with McKaylee every day too just to make sure she's not picking on her for anything else.

TheOaf66 replied: I only had to ride on the bus for about 6 months and that was in High School and I slept every day

Another case of someone thinking they have a lot more power than they actually do

mckayleesmom replied: This morning I drove Mckaylee to school because I was dropping valentines day stuff off anyways...She pulled up and I motioned to her that I was driving her and she smiled and waved.

I would think she would be happy with Mckaylee sleeping because she usually complains that she talks to much...

Mckaylee said that she was nice to her today...so I'm hoping she will just drop it.

punkeemunkee'smom replied: My vote is she needs to be knocked OUT a time or 2! What a nut case!