The start of the school year should be a magical experience- especially the first day of High School. 

We all remember the day- your nerves have been building up all summer, you made sure to wake up extra early to give yourself time to prepare. You made sure to pick out the perfect outfit. One that says "Yes this is me" without trying too hard. Your makeup and hair are on point. You have been texting and snap chatting your class list to see if you have any familiar faces to talk to in class. You doubled check and tripled checked your bus pick up and drop off times - there was no way you would be that kid running after the bus that you have seen on TV a million times. This was your first official bus ride to school - thoughts of "what am I going to talk about", "who should I sit next to", "what if I have to sit alone" "what if HS is scarier than I think", "who am I going to get lunch with" start racing though you heads- all these thoughts start building your anxiety levels. Your mom comes in with a surprise Starbucks that takes away from the anxiety - she even got the extra Carmel and Blended she always forgets. This is good- this will be a good day you reassure yourself. 

She drops you off and pulls away and turns back around saying "Ok I am going to be that mom and stalk you until the bus comes, I need the my baby grown up picture" 

The 5 early minutes turn quickly into 10 late minutes- although you don't seem to mind being lost in conversation with some familiar faces and some new. You start to notice the time going by and with ever large truck approaching the hill you heart and mind give off "this is it" alerts. 

Your mom suddenly pulls up along you and your new friends - yelling: " The bus isn't coming" get in. 

This was the start to my daughters "High School" experience. I was blessed enough to be able to be "that mom" and give her a little extra stalking time. As I waited and watched her laugh and joke my heart filled with joy and sadness that my little girl - the one who literally saved me was all grown up. 

As I sat and watched the time pass a friend called me from the freeway saying a bus is broken down - I jumped on the phone and tried CNUSD transportation at least 15 times - the same the transportation company "first student" very ironic now. 

I rushed the kids to cen10 - which is only 10 miles down the road but in corona traffic its a 45 min job. Thought of disbelief and worry raced though my head. I had to get back to make sure I get to see my youngest gets on his bus for the Rocket program as he was having difficulty getting on by the end of last year and we had had numerous late buses with him as well. I also had to make sure our middle child wasn't too nervous for his first day of Kinder. I also hadn't showered or gotten ready for his first day which I was asked to attend.... my anxiety starts to build. 

I finally beat the 15 north and get the kids to school 10 mins late; luckily car loads are still being dropped off. I get one final "bye bye" video of my little girl and race home.

As I tuned the corner my heart broke. One boy was still waiting - two hours later. Head in his hand, I wanted to stop and hug him. As a mom I couldn't see that without getting emotional.  I proceed to race home and fulfill all my mommy duties looking like a hot mess- but thats what hats are for....

I start calling again - I want an explanation about why this happened. 

I leave yet another voice mail for CNUSD transportation and as of 4pm - still no response. 

I try "first student" and I get an answer! 

I get a attitude as soon as they pick up the phone - I ask:

"I would like to know why the Cen10 bus was late picking up form sycamore creek."

I get asked "Whats the bus route." I tell the lady "I don't know - its the only bus that picks up in sycamore creek for cen10." I get "ugh hold on".

I get sent for to another lady - I repeat my question this time I get the response 

"Oh the bus driver didn't know she was starting today"

I am in disbelief- after all my daughter did to prepare for this day your driver "did know she was starting"

I than proceed to ask - "Why a robot call wasn't sent out to alert parents." 

I get "We don't have the phone numbers" - my response is "Well CNUSD does"

Her response was "Oh well they were busy today too"

I express how unprofessional this was and wanted a follow up - I than get a snooty "Sorry" and she hung up on me. 

This is not the way our children should be treated - This is not the memory that should be in that boys head for his first day of High School - This is not the way parents should be treated when concerned about the safety of their children. 

I am asking for signatures so our voices are hear on this issue - which has been going on for years.

Please join me in saying "Enough is Enough" we deserve better and demand better for our kids.