In september, I'll be facing a dilemma. My daughter, like many other young children, is full of wonder and easily distracted by the world around her. Diagnosed with ADD, she faces unique challenges every day. She will be going into grade 2 in September and is expected to walk to school .

At the same time, I have to ensure my autistic son gets on his special needs van safelv. This logistical challenge is stressful and unfairly places young children in potentially unsafe situations.

The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) currently only provides busing if students live beyond a certain distance from their school. This policy doesn't consider the vulnerabilities and safety concerns for young children, especially those in grades 1 through 3. Kids who are this young should not be forced to walk to school regardless of weather conditions, personal safety risks, or the availability of a guardian to accompany them. Particularly those with attention disorders or special needs, require a safe and reliable means of transportation.

Providing busing for all young students, regardless of the distance from school would significantly ease the burden on hundreds of families like mine. In regions where traffic can be dense and sidewalks nonexistent or insufficient, the risks to a child's safety.

 Furthermore, many parents, due to work commitments or other caregiving responsibilities, cannot walk their children to school themselves, leaving children vulnerable. Safety should be our top priority.

Our demand is simple: UCDSB should implement a policy that guarantees every child in grades 1-3 has access to bus transport, ensuring their safety and relieving the undue stress on families,

Please sign this petition to help us urge the UCDSB to take action and make our children's safety a priority