Stupid Bus Company

Today was to be the 2nd grade field trip to the Wildlife Zoo. FE was so excited as were all the kids. At our school, each grade gets one field trip a year, so the kids REALLY look forward to their trip. 2nd grade has been going to the Wildlife Zoo for years. The kids have been talking about this for WEEKS and planning for it in class. There were 12 parents (out of 24 kids in the class, pretty good ratio!) going on the trip just from our class and there are 3 other classes as well. The kids were ready, chaperon packets had been handed out, lunches were packed.

The buses were to be there at 8:30, so at 8:25 we led the kids out to the waiting area. At around 8:45, FE's teacher went to the office to see why the buses were not there yet. Our secretary called the bus company. They are on their way, just running a few minutes late. At 9:15 she went back in again. The secretary calls, the buses are at our DESTINATION! and it will be another 1/2 hour. So, we let the kids go have recess. 9:45 the buses finally arrive.

We get the kiddos all loaded, when one mom hears the driver of the second bus talking on her radio about overheating. The teacher's talk to the driver and figure out that they have arranged to swap out buses at the zoo, so all is okay at this point. Until a mom notices a HUGE slash in the tire of one of the buses. The driver's are stunned (idiots!) and we call the company and they say they will send a new bus. It's after 10:00 by this time. It takes 1/2 an hour to get to the zoo and we have to leave there by 1:30 to get back in time for dismissal. we're planning to ride three rides and have lunch at the zoo, so we're talking about not having any time to see animals by the time all is said and done. So, the teachers confer and decide that they will reschedule for next week.

The children are DEVASTATED! They are coming off the bus sobbing and so upset. I started crying when FE came off the bus because the look on his face was heartbreaking. Most of the parents who were there ended up taking their kids home for the day, including me. It's not like the teacher was really going to be so heartless as to make them do actual academic work today any way.

So I brought FE and his best friend home to play for the day and they are fine and having a great time now, but what a lousy way to start the day. And what a lousy bus company!