We as parents of Armona Union Elementary School District children are requesting that a bus route for the elementary and middle school be implemented. There are many reasons for this request, increased homeless presence on routes home, excessive drug use on streets, sex offenders, lack of side walks, and weather.

As all of our reasons are equally valid the homeless presence on our streets continues to grow.There are many children who have to walk past their camps multiple times a day to get to and from school. Our children have taken it upon themselves to walk through fields trying to avoid them, in doing so they end up having to cross the railroad tracks where there is no crossing for them.The children are scared when they have to pass by them. For parents who work it is difficult to make sure our children have a ride to and from school in order to avoid the homeless population. Now some parents have helped out others in transporting some children but they are only able to do that for so long.

Along with the homeless population is drug use among them. The majority of the homeless population use drugs and alcohol, which is a higher risk for violence. This is what we continue to guard our children from, but it is difficult when they have to see it daily. Having a bus route would help keep our children safe from all of this.

 In addition to drugs, alcohol, and violence is sex offenders. We would all like to not think about this subject  but if you look up the sex offenders in our town we are surrounded by offenders that have crimes against children. When our children have to walk they are at a higher risk of something happening to them.

In addition to the above there is also a lack of sidewalks and the weather in the valley. We are aware that the sidewalks are a city issue but it also makes it hard for young children to know where is safe to walk. Also the weather in the valley in the is not the kindest, summers reaching well over 100 degrees and winters causing frequent days missed from school. Children are more susceptible to dehydration and the high temperatures increase this even more. Walking in the cold and rain will cause more frequent colds and in turn causing more absents at school.

As concerned parents of Armona Union Elementary School District children we ask that you implement a bus route for all elementary and middle school children. We have given you many reasons as why this is necessary and hope you will make the right decision. Thank you for your time and consideration.