I'm driving a short bus for the remaining four weeks of school. They're fun: faster acceleration, possibly a/c, an armrest and....seatbelts indeed, for the students who
will buckle up, albeit loose enough to turn around and socialize.
I'm an ugly, yellow, private taxi charging determinedly through traffic and back roads. I pick up children at their doorsteps (come on now, don't make me wait) and deliver them to private and religious schools.
Few students = fewer behavioral issues. I miss the drama that takes place in the big bus. Really, I'm looking for stories from the little bus. How much hair pulling can go on here? It's quiet, children sit nearer to the driver.
The only thing left to a driver looking for a story is to listen and eavesdrop. But these kids are not public school crazies! This little yellow taxi delivers its fares to a Catholic School, a $10,000 a year private school and an Islamic school.
How about some stories of suicidal teenage drivers in mustangs and rude BMW's with all the windows tinted black, few respect the school bus.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Blood and Children
Blood stains clothes! Blood is dangerous! Blood scares and panics primary children and to hear: "Jared's bleeding!!, Bussss DrIIver! Jared's bleeding!",can scare the driver.
Fortunately, Jared and the famous Phillip were sitting in the front seat. What a ghastly sight. Jared had a heavy duty nosebleed and Phillip looked concerned. Apparently, Phillip elbowed him in the nose "by accident".
First decision -give Jared a tissue. Second decision - move Phillip.
The maternal first grader, Emma, in the white jacket, was moving toward Jared to soothe and comfort him. "Sit down, Emma, the blood will stain your white jacket".
"Maybe this ones a bleeder", I wondered. The tissue I gave to Jared was useless. Blood was smeared all over his face and hands. The students in the front seats were on full alert. In my mirror I saw 20 little faces reflecting horror and fascination . All eyes on Jared. The back of the bus was clueless, thank goodness.
By the time we got to the school, the bleeding had stopped, of course. Jared had so much dried blood on his face and hands, he looked like he had had a severe head injury. I was glad to hand him over to the nurse, who was waiting for us. She proceeded to walk with Jared into the school and quickly returned. "Which one's Phillip?", she demanded.
If I could post a picture of Phillip, you might say, "you go, girl", because I didn't help her. The school would locate him soon enough anyway. He's only six.
Fortunately, Jared and the famous Phillip were sitting in the front seat. What a ghastly sight. Jared had a heavy duty nosebleed and Phillip looked concerned. Apparently, Phillip elbowed him in the nose "by accident".
First decision -give Jared a tissue. Second decision - move Phillip.
The maternal first grader, Emma, in the white jacket, was moving toward Jared to soothe and comfort him. "Sit down, Emma, the blood will stain your white jacket".
"Maybe this ones a bleeder", I wondered. The tissue I gave to Jared was useless. Blood was smeared all over his face and hands. The students in the front seats were on full alert. In my mirror I saw 20 little faces reflecting horror and fascination . All eyes on Jared. The back of the bus was clueless, thank goodness.
By the time we got to the school, the bleeding had stopped, of course. Jared had so much dried blood on his face and hands, he looked like he had had a severe head injury. I was glad to hand him over to the nurse, who was waiting for us. She proceeded to walk with Jared into the school and quickly returned. "Which one's Phillip?", she demanded.
If I could post a picture of Phillip, you might say, "you go, girl", because I didn't help her. The school would locate him soon enough anyway. He's only six.
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