Please Help!!

Call a lawyer! Most of them will answer a question or two over the phone. All you really need to know at this point is weather or not there is a state law prohibiting you from seeing the tapes. That sounds stupid to me, but then we have a lot of stupid laws. Get the facts and then confront the bus company or principal or whoever will listen. You are not over-reacting. These are your kids. It's your job to protect them, and on the off chance they are doing something to instigate all this, wouldn't you want to know so you can teach them not to? Good luck!

Hello A..

I can understand your frustration. Let me start off by informing you that I am a certified teacher. This law that the school is telling you exists does. It is not just a Texas state law. It is a national law at applies to educational settings. The law they are referring to is all the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This came into effect in 1976. This law states that parental consent is required for release of information in school records. That bus video is considered as a record within the school. Because other students are riding the bus with your student, in order for you to be able to see the complete video, you would have to get the permission from the parents and/or guardians of all the other students who also ride that bus. You can read about this act at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

I have four children myself. And I drive my children to school because I fear everyday that something like you've described may happen and because of the teacher unions, many schools and districts are protected and not liable when your child gets hurt.

If you have taken your daughter to the doctor concerning this then maybe you can get the name of the boy who did the hitting and get his parents to at least make him apologize.

I have an 8 y/o but he doesn't ride on the bus but I thought I would tell you what I would do.
1. Talk with your children and discuss what they should do if this happens again.
2. Tell your children to sit in the front by the driver.
3. Be there when the bus gets to your house.
4. Record everything - Who hit who, what was said, who do you talk to and what where the results.
5. Found out who the children are. Do they live near you? Go talk their parents.
6. Ride the bus if they let you.
7. Go to the top, ask to speak with the supervisor.
I don't like bus for the fact that they don't have seat belts and the children to me seem more rowdy. That's why I pick my son up from school.
Hope this helps,
L.

ps you are not over reacting when some one has put their hands on your children!!!

I would be very very upset, and let me tell you I DO NOT take "NO" for an answer. I understand that people have jobs and must work not being able to pick their children up from school or take them to school. I myself have always said I will not let my children ride the bus for this very reason. I think they put to many kids on buses of all ages and there is always going to be that 1 bully if not more than 1. I have seen to many Datelines about school buses. Is there anyway you can just hire someone to drop off and pick up your children and take them where they need to go?? That way you are sure they are safe, maybe a fellow classmates parent. I hope you get stuff taken care of. Keep us posted.

A.,
I know I'm a little late in responding, but I was scrolling over past stuff out of boredom and found your message.
My children ride the public bus here in Austin. I feel its really safe in the area we are in. In Dallas where we just moved from I would have had a very hard time allowing the bus ride. Thank goodness we went to private school and didn't have them.
That is horrible about your children. What ended up happening w/ that situation? You are an awsome mom and your children are lucky you go up to bat for them.
M. A.

I dunno, that it seems shady on thier part. Have you contacted the school? or the school board. Our children have a right to ride on the bus and SAFELY at that. I would think that if a child was being hurt the footage should be shown to the parties concerned. After all it was not to long ago the news showed a bus driver shaking a child. The footage was shown all over the news ( and would seem if a third party could view the footage aka media) then why should not the parent of child in the matter not be allowed. Depending how it goes would even threaten to call a lawyer....however maybe take kiddo off bus or car pooling. ....Hope this was helpful....V
( a fellow parent of child who also rides the bus)

I'm not sure if you have tried calling the SAISD administration building or not, but if you have not try that and explain what has happened. My children do not ride the school bus and I have not experienced this. I have had some problems with the school they go to directly and I called SAISD and they did check into it and contacted them immediately. Try that and if they cannot help you ask them who can.

I would go see a lawyer. Just to find out what is what.

Then I would contact the superintendant, let them know what I want AND who will be representing me in the discrimination suit I plan to file against the driver, the bus barn and the school district who contracts with them.

Typically in a lawsuit they have to turn over any records they have.

Realize, though, that this will result in the driver finding a reason that your child can't ride the bus anymore and you will be responsible for transporting them.

I work for the school system, and my kids will NEVER EVER EVER ride the bus.
Good luck