November 14, 2006
I know it doesn't only happen to us...
Now, I know this kind of stuff doesn't only happen to us, but the amount of times stuff like this comes our way just sucks.
Imagine standing at the bus stop waiting for your kids to get off the bus and one does and the other doesn't.
Now, imagine the bus driver looks at you, with a surprised look, and tells you that, apparently, someone else picked up your daughter.
Now, imagine your son telling you that he didn't see his sister at lunch time or at afternoon recess.
Are you getting the picture yet?
So, Vania walks in the house, freaking out and less than 20 seconds later I'm driving like a madman to the kids school. I'm praying, "God, please no!" I'm also looking through my pockets for my medication because this kind of stress has a way of bringing about seizures and this is just the not the right time. No medication. "God, please no!"
I run into the school office, no one at the office. I track down Xanda's old teacher and let her know Xanda is missing. Instant Pandemonium. She disappears and I'm left at the office, with someone who's now come in and is asking questions with a puzzled look on her face that says, "this can't really be happening!" I'm trying to be clear, and I know how it sounds. "My daugther did not get off the bus... No! She never got on the bus!....The bus driver said that she was told she'd been picked up already!....My son didn't see her at lunch or at afternoon recess!
And then it happens, Xanda and her teacher walk in the office and the bubble burst. Her teacher, clearly shaken, tries to explain...."She missed the bus, so we were waiting by the door for the bus to return." "Why the hell didn't you call us?" I never said it. I though it. I wanted to scream at her, but she was just so lost... I didn't want to talk to her, to them, I grabbed Xanda and I left.
Tomorrow I'll let them know that if something like this happens again, a call would be nice.
Okay, that was my experience. Vania's experience was a little different. She was the one at the bus stop. She was the one calling the school while I was on the road. I don't know the details, but I know she freaked out on the phone. She was going to call to apologize, I wouldn't let her. They didn't call us, we owed them nothing. We walked in the house and she broke down.
The thoughts and visions that go through your head at times like this...
Posted by edWOW!!!! That would be the most scariest thing EVER! I mean, we had kids fall asleep on the bus without the driver noticing but Wow!
You are right. There should have been a call made telling you that Xanda missed the bus. I would be, I think, be beyound mad!
Posted by: anna verbridgeI have the greatest respect for teachers and the job that they do with our little ones. I have several cousins that work in this field and I shared your experience with them. Their opinion on this matter was this: The teacher really dropped the ball on this and they hope that it was a one off on this matter. One of the responsibilities that teachers and staff have is to inform the parents of a child that has missed a bus, or if someone other than the parents pick up the child. The person who pick up the child should be on file with the parents consent. Some schools have photos of preferred adults in the file.
I strongly feel that Vania's reactions was justified and was in correct response to the action. Is an apology needed... no. But a responsible dialogue with the teacher and the principal is needed. They need to know how a simple call is important in this day and age. Apologizing for this trauma is not needed. The teacher and staff needed to know the results of their actions and know the pain that it causes the parents. Knowing both Ed and Vania, this matter will be dealt with in a respectful matter that will benefit all that is involved without having to apologize. Ed and Vania did nothing wrong and the teacher and staff needs to know what they put parents through, and correct their procedure on this matter.
Final note, I am pleased that Xanda is safe and sound.
Posted by: NickMy stomach started to turn as I read your entry, but was praising God at the end that everything was ok.
I understand both yours and Vun's fear ... we live in a society where we really have reason to be concerned.
This isn't the first ... lost my kids story ... you'll have some good stories to laugh about (maybe?) when they're all grown up.
I'm glad that everyone is safe now...
Posted by: wilsonianAs a teacher I have to say that that's nuts!! If a kid ever missed a bus in my school, I'd call the parents right away! I don't understand what that teacher was thinking, and I can totally understand how you guys must have been frantic! Thank God all is well now... one more story for the books...
Posted by: Raqueldeep breaths everyone...whoa! can't imagine how you managed - i started crying as soon as you got to "she didn't get off the bus"
icing anybody??
love you loads - BIG HUGS
Posted by: hanniWow, is this what we have to look forward to??? Every time my baby stops kicking in my tummy I panic!
Fariza.
Posted by: FarizaAfter our miscarriage...the last pregnancy went very much that way. Every time the baby went any amount of time without movement we just wondered.
How are you feeling?
Posted by: ed