Appendix II - back to Main Brief

CONSIDERATIONS FOR BUSSING CHILDREN FROM WELLS

QUALITY OF LIFE BEING BUSSED > 80 KM TO QUESNEL

• wake at 5:45
• catch bus at 6:45
• return at 4:30
• 3 1/4 hours of community time, socialize, be with with family, eat, bed time ritual
• Be in bed at 7:45 pm for 10 hrs recommended sleep

• wake at 7:15
• arrive at school at 8:25
• return at 2:45
• 6 1/4 hours of additional community time, family, eat, bed time ritual
• In bed at 9:00 pm for 10 1/4 hours of sleep

• Total time out of community per day with bussing = just under 10 hours
• Bussing children requires them to move out of step with the clock schedule of their community. I.e. Rising at 5:45 am and missing evening community events because of evening routines which see them in bed by 7:45. Our high school children already suffer from this isolation from the community although they have more time flexibility due to maturity.
• Primary children as young as 5 years old are isolated from the support of parents who would have over a one hour response time in the event of sickness, injury or emotional crisis in school or during transport.
  Primary children would presumably be bussed with Secondary School children resulting in possible conduct issues and poorly supervised socializing times on the bus.
• Primary children may encounter bowel or urinary needs during the protracted bus times.
  Primary children would be exposed to increased hazards due to wildlife on road, snow storms, ice, darkness.
• Loss of parental support and community mentors to school. Our children presently enjoy frequent interaction with many community members in the school setting through volunteer work in meals program, skiing, curling, music and other special events which occur during school hours. This will be lost.

Most parents in our municipality find this situation intolerable and indicate their commitment to their children’s mental and emotional well being by choosing to home school or move from the district. This has additional ramifications as expressed elsewhere.
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