Tell her to try to pick a spot in the front, next to the driver.

That way, she will have no problem from the high schoolers

There won’t be very many twelfth graders on the bus or even juniors or sophomores. If there are, they’re not going to be the type to pick on your neice because they are losers without cars or friends. I know that sounds mean, but it’s true. I’m in high school and I don’t know any juniors or seniors that ride the bus. I’m pretty sure she’ll be ok and the high schoolers and middle schoolers will probably segregate themselves. Also, as a bus rider from kindergarten through ninth grade, I must say that the bus drivers really do keep a pretty good eye on everything that’s going on. If you’re really worried, on the first day of school you or your neices parents can go talk to the bus driver although it would probably embarass her. Hope this helps.

Well first of all, most high schoolers are already at driving age and usually drive themselves to school so she wont see too many of the upperclassmen. However, occasionally there will be someone older who might pick on her a little bit, especially since she’s young. Tell your niece not to take the older students seriously and stick with the people her own age. She can make friends that way, that’s what I did and I myself am a bit shy. Sometimes the older kids tend to sit farther back in the bus so the front is usually the safest place for someone like her. Tell your niece good luck and to enjoy her first ride on the bus!

I understand your concern. School buses are terrible.

It would be helpful if she is at the bus stop with a buddy and can sit with that person each day. However, sooner or later that kid is going to miss a day, and your niece has to be able to hold her own.

All I can tell you is that it helps if an adult is there when she gets home each day so that the adult can see if she is upset when she gets off the bus. Keep the lines of communication open so that she will tell you if she is frightened or being bullied.

Do not hesitate to go see the principal if there is a problem. Get as many facts as you can and go see (I think it’s better than calling) the principal. If a disturbing event happens two times (same bully), insist that the school take action. In most school districts they are required to suspend bus privileges of trouble makers. I suggest you ask the school board or vice-principal NOW just what the bus rules are and how they enforce them. Know your (and your niece’s) rights now — it sounds bizarre to have to investigate this ahead of time, but your niece’s safety may be at stake, and it never hurts to know the system.

This brings back memories… actually it was embarrassing on my part when my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles (you get the picture) were all worried about me riding on the bus for the first time with older kids – and yeah, I was shy, but no pushover. Boy, did they make a fuss – to the point of speaking to the bus driver (my Mom and Grandma) in front of all the kids… and I just wished the earth would open up and swallow me up!

My advice- have faith in your niece. She sounds like she’s no pushover and won’t let anyone make her the but of jokes. Why not talk to her about your apprehensions, and see if she has any. More likely, you’ll have more than she does. Encourage her to be open to you guys should there be any bullying. Tell her its okay to be a little scared, but it’ll pass and you guys are behind her, always, no matter what.

Remember, even little birds need to get out of the nest to learn how to fly. Even if we want to protect those we love from all the bad things the world will be throwing at them, all we can do is be there to encourage them to grow and be stronger until that day.

Why? It’s a legitimate means of transportation that your parents’ taxes paid for. If your friends are driving to high school when they have buses available, they are wasting money, wasting gas, and putting unneeded wear and tear on the car. This is definitely not green. In the suburbs this is common behavior, but if all of you lived in the city transportation by bus to just about anywhere you want to go would be the norm. If you lived in a rural area as I did, using the school bus is also the norm. Adults ride buses all the time. Why should a high school senior, who is soon to become a very tiny fish in a very big ocean, think he/she is above it?

Our school is that way. And it really isn’t that bad. I’d advise her to sit up near the front and mind her own bussiness. Also, she needs to mind her own bussiness. She should just sit on the buss and talk to a friend the whole time without getting caught up in the weird things that kids will say. The high schoolers won’t mess with you unless you sit in seats that are in the back (usually the bus driver will tell the middle schoolers not to sit in the last few rows of seats) She’ll get through it.

Most buses now have a bus monitor, in addition to a bus driver. I was nervous about my 6 year old on the bus, too, but the monitor actually helps break up fights, ect. The kids aren’t even allowed to do homework on the bus!!

Last year, a child was going to tell my son something inappropriate, and the monitor caught it just in time and had him moved to another seat.

I was riding the a.m. bus with high schoolers in first, second, fourth grade and up to go to school early, and I never had a problem with anyone.

Does she have any friends in the neighborhood she can ride on the bus with? Its always nice to have a friend on the bus. Usually most upper-classmen think of themselves to be too important to talk or bug younger kids. So, she probably wont be picked on by the high schoolers. Have her try sitting near the front of the bus, that way the bus driver will see the trouble better when it occurs.

I have never ridden the bus, so I don’t have anything to say from experience, but bullies in general LOVE attacking people who act either insecure or shy or any way portraying that they are afraid. Your niece should get on the bus with someone if possible so she can sit with them so there’s none of that panic that a kid can have when they are desperately looking for someone to sit with. Also bullies probably would pick on a loner and not so much with someone who is with another person or two. And also let her know she can tell a teacher or the bus driver if there is any dangerous or escalating teasing going on.

As a parent and former teacher, I am also concerned for her. Why on earth do they have sixth graders riding with high school kids. I would petition the school board. I would consider bringing her to school and picking her up.

On the bus, the bus driver is responsible, but what if someone picks on her while she is waiting for the bus or walking home after getting of the bus. If she has to ride the bus, you should ensure that she is not waiting without a friend or family member and that someone is also waking home with her.

I do not like that at all!!!!